[Hassles]

Have been re reading old posts about the use of Neatsfoot Oil to re enliven old and hardened pads. For decades I've been using dubbin to preserve my boots, belts etc and as fabulous as dubbin is I wouldn't use it on sax pads. I have recently applied some Neatsfoot Oil to the hardened pads of my Kohlert 57 tenor sax and more recently I became aware of the existence of Mink Oil - which apparently - is also regarded as an excellent leather conditioner / preserver. I couldn't find references so thought I would ask here if anyone has experience with Mink oil?

 

[FunkyHorn626]

Have been re reading old posts about the use of Neatsfoot Oil to re enliven old and hardened pads. For decades I've been using dubbin to preserve my boots, belts etc and as fabulous as dubbin is I wouldn't use it on sax pads. I have recently applied some Neatsfoot Oil to the hardened pads of my Kohlert 57 tenor sax and more recently I became aware of the existence of Mink Oil - which apparently - is also regarded as an excellent leather conditioner / preserver. I couldn't find references so thought I would ask here if anyone has experience with Mink oil?

Tried mink oil on an old horn many years ago when I wanted to try to get a little more life out of my pads. It did gum them up pretty bad even though I dried them for a few weeks before I assembled the horn again. Once that stuff gets on the leather of a pad seems like it is on there for a long time

 

[Hassles]

I did find a similar comment (to above post) in a post by Phil-Tone of about a decade ago. I'll see how long the Neatsfoot oil can avoid me a re-pad of the 57 tenor. I had originally intended to do the Neatsfoot oil treatment on my Hohner President alto but opted for a re-pad instead. Still - I think I'll give the Mink oil a go on a junker and see for myself.

 

[ZootTheSim]

I’ve only ever used mink oil on my baseball glove, an old D&R L58. A truly fantastic vintage fastball infield glove.

 

[Hassles]

I have a HP Buescher T-T alto here which is a prime candidate plus the Mink oil is pretty inexpensive.

 

[adamk]

17 million minks are being killed in Denmark because COVID was passed to some of them by humans, mutated and passed back to humans.
Or so the story goes.

 

[Hassles]

yeah - I know the story - a completely horrid and immensely dispiriting situation. I think Mink's are awfully cute and shouldn't be bred for their fur - which is exactly where the oil comes from. Similarly, Neatsfoot oil is derived from dead animal parts - we also get the beef and the leather.

 

[saxoclese]

Years ago before I knew better I used mink oil on all of the pads on my Mark VI. All it did was to turn the pads an ugly dark color and gave my saxophone a terrible smell. Cats tended to follow me on my way to every gig. Ok, I made that last part up, but it is something I would not recommend to anyone.

 

[Meyer65]

Cats tended to follow me on my way to every gig.

Were they cool cats?

ok I'll see myself out now

 

[Pete Thomas]

"Please don't turn me into oil..."

 

[lostcircuits]

I've been using Designer Shoe Warehouse Mink Oil for years and it's the best thing I have found. You don't soak the pads, just use a soft cloth to put a dab on and draw it over the pad with the tone hole closed. Then wait 5 min and run a dry cloth the same way to polish off the residue. No sticky pads, and I don't get the discoloration that saxoclese mentioned but that could be just the type/brand I am using.

 

[lostcircuits]

Years ago before I knew better I used mink oil on all of the pads on my Mark VI. All it did was to turn the pads an ugly dark color and gave my saxophone a terrible smell. Cats tended to follow me on my way to every gig. Ok, I made that last part up, but it is something I would not recommend to anyone.

Was the pot/label black and white? Then they probably sold you skunk oil!

 

[Hassles]

I've been using Designer Shoe Warehouse Mink Oil for years and it's the best thing I have found. You don't soak the pads, just use a soft cloth to put a dab on and draw it over the pad with the tone hole closed. Then wait 5 min and run a dry cloth the same way to polish off the residue. No sticky pads, and I don't get the discoloration that saxoclese mentioned but that could be just the type/brand I am using.

It appears that whatever one uses on their pads their universal approach is use a little, carefully. I applied the Neatsfoot oil with a cotton bud / q-tip and made sure it was all absorbed. Time will tell

 

[lostcircuits]

It appears that whatever one uses on their pads their universal approach is use a little, carefully. I applied the Neatsfoot oil with a cotton bud / q-tip and made sure it was all absorbed. Time will tell

The one I am using is just mink oil-based waterproofing shoe shine and it makes the pads smooth like a baby's butt. Not to mention that $4.95 for 10 lifetime supplies is hard to beat. And if you get some on your hands, you don't need to use lotion

 

[PigSquealer]

yeah - I know the story - a completely horrid and immensely dispiriting situation. I think Mink's are awfully cute and shouldn't be bred for their fur - which is exactly where the oil comes from. Similarly, Neatsfoot oil is derived from dead animal parts - we also get the beef and the leather.

Too bad they couldn't make a vaccine for the critters.

Years ago before I knew better I used mink oil on all of the pads on my Mark VI. All it did was to turn the pads an ugly dark color and gave my saxophone a terrible smell.

Does color affect the sound? Some natural products without preservatives go rancid.
"store in a cool dark place"

"Please don't turn me into oil..."

Any good as a substitute for your squirrel sauce

The one I am using is just mink oil-based waterproofing shoe shine and it makes the pads smooth like a baby's butt. Not to mention that $4.95 for 10 lifetime supplies is hard to beat. And if you get some on your hands, you don't need to use lotion

Have a brand name? I'm sure a product formulated for quality leather goods will not discolor. Would just give the wife excuse to buy another pair of shoes.

I've tried Lexol with limited success on pads. Works great on racing leathers,saddles and car seats.

Leather Conditioner Bottle | Lexol

Leather can get dry! Proper care of leather requires regular cleaning and conditioning, which in turn makes it look and feel "like new" for many years. LEXOL® Leather Conditioner has a liquid base which allows the product to penetrate the surface into leather pores, for deep conditioning that...

www.lexol.com

 

[lostcircuits]

Does color affect the sound? Some natural products without preservatives go rancid.
"store in a cool dark place"

Any good as a substitute for your squirrel sauce

Have a brand name? I'm sure a product formulated for quality leather goods will not discolor. Would just give the wife excuse to buy another pair of shoes.

I've tried Lexol with limited success on pads. Works great on racing leathers,saddles and car seats.

Leather Conditioner Bottle | Lexol

Leather can get dry! Proper care of leather requires regular cleaning and conditioning, which in turn makes it look and feel "like new" for many years. LEXOL® Leather Conditioner has a liquid base which allows the product to penetrate the surface into leather pores, for deep conditioning that...

www.lexol.com

Designer Shoe Warehouse Mink Oil

 

[PigSquealer]

Designer Shoe Warehouse Mink Oil

I searched the website designer shoe warehouse. No such item.
How stupid am I🥴. What did I miss?

Designer Shoe Warehouse Mink Oil - Google Shopping

Appears to be available everywhere from tack store to tractor supply. Not sure if Ferragamo shoes carries it.

Well this subject just got interesting depending on the brand. It seems like they are all a mix. Remove the neatsfoot oil and put in vitamin E. The surprise is silicone everywhere!

• Ideal for all articles of leather and vinyl shoes, boots, jackets, belts, bags and purses.
• Apply freely and work into material, particularly around seams and stitching.
• Allow a few minutes to absorb and then wipe off excess.
• Active cleaners and conditioners include mink oil, silicone, lanolin and pure Neatsfoot oil.
• Caution: Not for use on suede or Nubuck and may darken light or soft leathers.

 

[Dr G]

Try Runyon Pad Dope. It works - no sticky pads, no waterlogged pads in 40+ years.

Yeah, I think I started using it in the ‘80s, but who knows???

 

[Hassles]

Try Runyon Pad Dope. It works - no sticky pads, no waterlogged pads in 40+ years.

Yeah, I think I started using it in the '80s, but who knows???

Surely this stuff (Pad Dope) is no longer available? Have seen it mentioned a few times more than a few here at SOTW.

A local tech I know (who does stuff for me that I can't do for myself) uses a locally produced (here in arsetralia) saddle soap. Surprisingly that company also produces the Neatsfoot oil I used. Joseph Lyddy. Been' usin' JL Dubbin for decades - excellent stuff but I reckon the dubbin ain't for pads. Thus far me's impressed with their Neatsfoot oil.

 

[PigSquealer]

Try Runyon Pad Dope. It works - no sticky pads, no waterlogged pads in 40+ years.

Yeah, I think I started using it in the '80s, but who knows???

I just check half dozen sources. Unabtainum even in Wakanda.
Any idea what's in the mix ? Thinned nitrocellulose lacquer?