Voltaire Owners: Who has purchased the grain/calf option brand new?

[shadedingray]

I just received my new Voltaire at work, a couple days early no less!

I’m super pumped, but realized that the leather option I ordered is two tone brand new. I have the grain/calf option. I knew the saddle would look this way when I ordered it. I’ve seen older grain/calf models that are now one color (dark brown), so I know it will even out eventually.

I’m curious what you guys have done to even the color out. Do you oil the grain part more to darken it to match the calf? Do you just clean and condition it over time and it darkens?

If any non-Voltaire owners happen to want to comment, if you look at this page on Voltaire’s site, it shows what the leather option I ordered looks like brand new.

[pacific_jumper]

DO NOT OIL CALFSKIN!!! Your saddle came with a lovely jar of soap and conditioner, use that. My rep told me to condition after every ride for the first few weeks to speed up break in time (particularly undersides of flaps). The colour will even out in a couple weeks by using the conditioner.

I have a 2016 Voltaire with grain flaps and calf seat and knee rolls.

[shadedingray]

[QUOTE=pacific_jumper;8548443]
DO NOT OIL CALFSKIN!!! Your saddle came with a lovely jar of soap and conditioner, use that. My rep told me to condition after every ride for the first few weeks to speed up break in time (particularly undersides of flaps). The colour will even out in a couple weeks by using the conditioner.

I have a 2016 Voltaire with grain flaps and calf seat and knee rolls.[/QUOTE]

Thank you, pacific_jumper. I wasn’t going to oil the calfskin, potentially only the grain part. If it will even out with only the conditioner/balsam, then that’s fine. I also asked Voltaire directly what they recommend as well.

[BAC]

Congratulations on your new saddle. I had a brand new CWD that was grain/calfskin but I had it oiled before it was shipped. It was almost the same color, the calf was a slightly lighter shade, and that was fine with me. I never made any attempt to change the color and don’t understand why you wouldn’t let it even out on its own, (if it will), just normal care and cleaning should be sufficient. Regardless of the color, enjoy your new saddle.

[shadedingray]

[QUOTE=BAC;8548714]
Congratulations on your new saddle. I had a brand new CWD that was grain/calfskin but I had it oiled before it was shipped. It was almost the same color, the calf was a slightly lighter shade, and that was fine with me. I never made any attempt to change the color and don’t understand why you wouldn’t let it even out on its own, (if it will), just normal care and cleaning should be sufficient. Regardless of the color, enjoy your new saddle.[/QUOTE]

Thank you! I am going to see how it darkens on its own with regular cleaning/conditioning. The calf on this saddle is a very, very dark brown, but the grain leather is very much lighter. It does look a bit silly and I would like the saddle to generally be one color. I will not do anything to compromise the leather though, so if it will only take time to even out, then time it is.

[akhunterrider]

I bought two used saddles from Voltaire and they sent me a jar of soap and conditioner, both of which I loved. Their leather balsam will darken the leather. I would definitely use that, but also ask Voltaire what their suggestion is. My first saddle was grain/buffalo and the other was full buffalo. I don’t have any experience with their calfskin.

[kafesoap]

The conditioner alone should do the trick. That stuff is pretty amazing. If you have any concerns contact your rep first. The reps I have worked with have always been extremely responsive to my questions and concerns.

[shadedingray]

Thanks guys! Their leather balsam is a bit different from the balsam I’m used to. It’s much softer and soaks into the leather a lot better. The lighter leather has already started to darken. I am going to continue only using the Voltaire products on the saddle and see where it gets me. They are great quality products.