Reddit reviews Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner 8 oz - Best Since 1882 - Cleaner & Conditioner - Restore Polish & Protect All Smooth Finished Leathers

1. wipe them down with a damp rag to get off any surface dirt.
   
   
2. if there are salt stains, get a cup of water and mix in some white vinegar. Repeat #1
   
   
3. let them dry thoroughly. overnight is preferable
   
   
4. go on amazon and get Bick 4 and a Horse hair brush
   
   
5. follow directions on Bick 4.
   
   
6. Repeat #5 (probably several times)
   
   7 Reevaluate at this point. If it's still not up to par, post on r/goodyearwelt and r/RedWingShoes for further advice.

I would recommend using Bickmore Bick 4 leather conditioner . Its the best stuff out there and doesn't darken leather.

I use Bick 4, it doesn't darken leather and a little bit goes a long way--one bottle has lasted me almost two years.

Another vote for "soak and wear". For my last pair of boots, I stuck them in a tub of warm water for a minute or two (making sure the inside of the boots were also thoroughly soaked), put them on over riding socks, and then wore them to work. When I got home, I thoroughly conditioned them with Passier's Lederbalsam, and ta-da, broken in boots! I have heard some people say they have to do this once or twice, but that probably depends on just how tight they are.

For a less damp option, I've heard good things about Bick 4 quickly softening and breaking boots in. Might be worth a try.

Mink oil will permanently darken the leather, FYI. For some, that's not a big deal. For others (myself included), darkening the leather is an undesirable outcome.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Bick 4, and I use it on most of my boots. I condition my boots 1-2 times/year, depending on their use.

Get a Kiwi leather care kit and some leather conditioner

• Brush off your shoes with the brush
  
  
• Use a damp sponge to wipe off any remaining dirt (if they are exceptionally dirty you can use saddle soap)
  
  
• Dry off with a rag
  
  
• Apply the leather conditioner, let dry/absorb and buff with the chimois
  
  
• Apply polish with the sponge applicator, let dry for like an hour
  
  
• Brush shoes again, then buff again with the chimois.
  
  Also it looks like your toes are starting to separate, in which case I'd use some Shoe Goo or just some super glue to readhere

Very Important:

• Horsehair Brush
  
• Some sort of cleaner (Lexol)
  
• Some sort of conditioner (Lexol, Bick4)
  
  Optional:
  
  
• Buffing Rag - could also just use old socks or cotton shirts. Make sure whatever you use is 100% cotton since nylon can scratch
  
• Pigmented Cream Polish - Can be used to recolor damaged spots and build a patina. WILL DARKEN YOUR SHOES.
  
• Cuir Gras - My preferred conditioner for greasy leather (like CXL). Not necessary unless you want to spend the extra money over Lexol.
  
  Be sure to review the Leather Care section in the wiki to get a good overview of products and care techniques.

From the site:

>men's lace-up boot featuring a polished burgundy leather exterior and thick brown waxed cotton laces for a classic feel.

I may be wrong, but "polished leather" is usually another term for corrected grain leather, and I have always used Venetian Shoe Cream (VSC) for this. I bought in bulk a few years ago and have come nowhere close to depleting the vat o'VSC.

Another good option might be Bick 4, which I also use quite a bit.

Leather is fairly resilient. Condition occasionally if the leather looks dry (something like this works fine) and maybe grab a horsehair brush to brush dirt/dust off the shoe. If you're out in salt/slush, wipe down the shoes with a slightly damp cloth when you get back. Try to let them dry out between wears.

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001CS2Q4M

Thanks! I'll answer your questions with some depth.

1. The maille is actually the most affordable flat ring I could find - it's the 44" haubergeon from GDFB. I got it through Kult of Athena here: http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AB2462. The maille is gorgeous, it stuns people when they see it up close.
   
   

• Couple of fair warnings - I am only 5'6" and 140 lbs. so I am on the small side. Maille is interesting in that it form-fits as the rings space themselves closely. So this could fit someone slightly larger than me, but if you're big I would advise giving yourself some space.
  
  
• Next warning - the maille comes absolutely drenched in nasty oil. While it prevents rust, it will soil your clothes. I put the maille in a little bit of soapy water in a bucket, sloshed it around, and dried off just to remove some of that excess oil. But the shirt I wear is 100% dedicated to the maille as it's now quite nasty looking. Even the pants got really nasty which made me pretty sad. So buy a shirt or gambeson to use solely with your maille.
  
  
• Final warning - this stuff is heavy. The shirt weighs 19 pounds. I mean it genuinely feels dense when you pick it up. That said, when it's on you it distributes the weight fairly well. Enough that I can jump around and stuff. But god, what a pain on the shoulders. You may consider padding your shoulders if you intend to wear it for hours on end. And be prepared to test your endurance. That weight will catch up with you after a few hours.
  
  

2. The boots are a now discontinued Slavic design from Armstreet, custom to my measurements. I highly recommend their garb department! Everything I've ever got from them has been nothing short of amazing. I've used these boots heavily for 2 years and they look almost new. All I use is a bit of Bickmore leather lotion every 6 - 12 months and make sure to wipe the boots down when you get home from an event.
   
   
3. The garb is all purchased. The shirt is a linen piece by GDFB from Kult of Athena. Great quality, but it looks like a modern Indian shirt if you don't cover it up.
   
   Pants are the Flax Norman trousers from Armstreet in wine red. Custom made to my size, beautiful through and through.
   
   The mantle is actually the first piece of costume I ever bought. It's a leather hood from the Colorado Renaissance Festival. I get a lot of compliments for it!
   
   
4. I'll definitely see about shooting some photos. Right now all my stuff is dirty and needs washed though. It's nothing special - suit up in your soft kit from head to toe, boots included. Then put on the chainmail according to this video. Once the maille is on, belt it tight enough that it takes some of the weight off your shoulders. Then put on the baldric, attach the sword. Put the hood on and put the gauntlets on. Then the helmet. Et VOILA!
   
   There's no pointing of armor here, no padding, nothing special. I am looking to get some steel demi-greaves for my upper legs and knees. I got one too many wooden swords to the patella when fighting the kids. And I think a little more steel would really up the 'knight' look.
   
   Let me know if you have any other specific questions, happy to answer!

Hi all! I'm about to get (my first) leather conditioner.

Would you recommend Lexol or Bick 4? I read they are very similar.

For reference I've got a pair of Clarks Bushackre 2 (beeswax) and Bondockers (Fudge) from Golden Fox

I did a bit of research of several months ago on leather cleaners, and I ended up buying [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/Bickmore-Bick-Leather-Conditioner-Ounces/dp/B001CS2Q4M/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1474914803&sr=8-19&keywords=leather+shoe+cleaner) -- Bickmore Bick 4.

Also, [here's an introductory leather care guide] (https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/1ubpyl/introductory_leather_care_guide/) from r/goodyearwelt.

I use Bick 1 cleaner and Bick 4 conditioner, nothing fancy; lexol would also work perfectly fine. I prefer the Woodlore 'Epic' trees.

I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CS2Q4M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

but yeh my wallet is soft, but it isn't greasy, just a bit shiny. Idk.

To veer a bit off topic, Bickmore makes a great leather conditioner that is very mild as far as discoloration and "wetness" (for the lack of a better term). Probably requires a more frequent application (say, every few weeks rather than once a year), but is an excellent maintenance product. It reminds me a lot of body or hand lotion, and in all actually probably isn't too much different (it's Lanolin based I believe).

I swear by it on my Tony lamas, Danners, and even my Sperrys. Hell, I even use it on my belts and Horween watch strap, and as a light refresher on my AEs between polishing. Pretty much everything but suede.

It darkens the leather only when it is wet, just as getting it wet with water would. After an hour or so once it is absorbed and the moisture dries off, I notice no change in color.

I’ve used a couple (from Lexol to Turtle Wax), but right now I really like this one! It also helps with developing a faux patina if you don’t like how light the vachetta appears at first.

I love this one! I’ve used it on light, dark, and textured leather and it has never darkened the color or left residue for me.

Never heard of Skidmores before
Is it better to use than Bick4?

This?What is the difference?

Thanks again, I'll probably head down to a shoe store and try to match colors like you said.

One last question, is something like Bick 4 Leather conditioner better or worse than Lexol leather conditioner?

I've used bick4 for a lot of years. I use it on everything from boots that step on shit in a pasture, to my high end lucchese boots.

Do you mean this stuff?

http://www.amazon.com/Bickmore-Bick-Leather-Conditioner-Ounces/dp/B001CS2Q4M

How do you recommend using it? Should I just rub it in?

I'd recommend this if you don't want your leather to darken.

Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner 8 Ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CS2Q4M/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_OJ4Utb0SRK0SYSYE