Care of your Hayden Harnett

[dehlia1970]

Thank you so much Stormy!! - I'm devoting a good portion on my morning to fixing this bag - and I KNOW re:not carrying it yet!! I'm going to start using it this fall, I've just had other bags in the line-up ahead of it.

I'll let you know how the hand-rubbing turns out, but I'm excited to try. The spots actually became a little glossy when wet, so it didn't seem like a "stain." Ok, THANKS AGAIN!

[tlloveshim]

Hello! I just got a saddle Havana hobo, old school, and love it! It is gorgeous! I wish HH would go back to their original design because I just don't like the newer Havana style. But my wallet isn't tempted so I guess that's good! Anyway, is the product below OK to use on the saddle leather? It has a couple of spots on it now that I don't see as a problem, just characteristic of the leather but I would like to treat it for protection if I can. So, is this appropriate:

http://www.wilsonsleather.com/produc...entPage=family

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by tlloveshim

Hello! I just got a saddle Havana hobo, old school, and love it! It is gorgeous! I wish HH would go back to their original design because I just don't like the newer Havana style. But my wallet isn't tempted so I guess that's good! Anyway, is the product below OK to use on the saddle leather? It has a couple of spots on it now that I don't see as a problem, just characteristic of the leather but I would like to treat it for protection if I can. So, is this appropriate: http://www.wilsonsleather.com/produc...entPage=family

Yes, this is the preferred product and is great for Saddle. You have my favorite bag ; I also love the older version. Saddle color is classic among all leathers because it's got the natural bark-tanned appearance and soft feel.
I originally got mine to match my vegtan duffel, backpack and garment bag (it's perfect with Hartmann). That was about 45 HH ago.....

Welcome to our corner of the world.

[Stormy Heart]

I should mention that if anyone lives in a hard water location, it's best to use distilled water for cleansing /rinsing /wiping off your leather, especially if it's naked or lightly finished.

[tlloveshim]

Originally Posted by Stormy Heart

Yes, this is the preferred product and is great for Saddle. You have my favorite bag ; I also love the older version. Saddle color is classic among all leathers because it's got the natural bark-tanned appearance and soft feel. I originally got mine to match my vegtan duffel, backpack and garment bag (it's perfect with Hartmann). That was about 45 HH ago..... Welcome to our corner of the world.

I just typed this nice response and my connection took a dive! Geesh! Anyway, thank you!! I owned a saddle lorca quite a while back (along with other HH bags) but sold them all off. Some of them I miss! But the Havana saddle hobo is by far my favorite! I'd love to find another older vesion in another color!

[sallyca]

Hi,

I've read through all the pages and thought I had figured everything out. I have a cordovan conrad and thought I'd try the Lexol conditioner on it. I tried it on an inconspicuous spot but it substantially darkened the leather - I've let it dry for 12 hours and it is still dark. The container says Original formula conditioner preservative but does say that it is not recommended for glove soft leather.

Is there another option?

I also have a black leather Pomp that is soft so I don't want to try the Lexol on it.

I'm afraid to use leather protector on either of those now. I don't want to darken the leather or make it less soft. Is there one that won't darken?

Thanks

[Stormy Heart]

You're welcome, TL !

Originally Posted by sallyca

Hi, I've read through all the pages and thought I had figured everything out. I have a cordovan conrad and thought I'd try the Lexol conditioner on it. I tried it on an inconspicuous spot but it substantially darkened the leather - I've let it dry for 12 hours and it is still dark. The container says Original formula conditioner preservative but does say that it is not recommended for glove soft leather. Is there another option? I also have a black leather Pomp that is soft so I don't want to try the Lexol on it. I'm afraid to use leather protector on either of those now. I don't want to darken the leather or make it less soft. Is there one that won't darken? Thanks

I've used the regular Lexol on my cordovan Wyeths with no darkening. I haven't seen cordovan Conrad, but do recall Conrads made of lambskin (which qualifies as 'glove (delicate) leather'. Lexol does have a non-darkening conditioning formula specially for these and light colored leathers. I did mention it in an earlier post.
Your bag is still newish and shouldn't have needed conditioner yet. Simply rubbing it will bring natural oils to the surface to give it a nicer feel and smooth out little marks. Did you read the "not recommended for glove leather" before or after using it ? It is meant to be used very lightly. It is helpful to apply by hand so you can feel the leather absorbing just what it needs (IF it needs it!) and all excess must be immediately wiped off. Over application of any conditioner will darken any leather, perhaps unevenly, make the leather too soft and can 'choke' it.
Go ahead and buff the bag with soft white cloths and see if you can remove the excess.
Black will do fine with reg Lexol. There is no chance it will make the bag less soft, but
There is no reason to condition a brand new bag.

[sallyca]

Thanks Stormy. When I read about the glove soft part I thought of the type of fine lambskin leather that they use to make gloves so didn't think the cordovan was like that. Maybe it is though. I also didn't think of the cordovan as light-coloured but it definitely got darker. I rubbed it a bit to see what would happen - it might be a bit lighter but not a problem as I tested it on the pocket zipper pull on the inside so it's not conspicuous.

The black pomp is new but I actually don't know how old the cordovan is. I was going to use leather protector spray but thought I'd condition it beforehand.

What protector spray do you recommend for the black and cordovan that won't darken the cordovan? I live in Canada - I've seen Kiwi brand around.

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by sallyca

Thanks Stormy. When I read about the glove soft part I thought of the type of fine lambskin leather that they use to make gloves so didn't think the cordovan was like that. Maybe it is though. I also didn't think of the cordovan as light-coloured but it definitely got darker. I rubbed it a bit to see what would happen - it might be a bit lighter but not a problem as I tested it on the pocket zipper pull on the inside so it's not conspicuous. The black pomp is new but I actually don't know how old the cordovan is. I was going to use leather protector spray but thought I'd condition it beforehand. What protector spray do you recommend for the black and cordovan that won't darken the cordovan? I live in Canada - I've seen Kiwi brand around.

Kiwi is fine.

[Stormy Heart]

You know how I love vegtan leather.... IDKY but am surprised to find my favorite American Tannery on UTube !


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyCaonpEd70

**extra credit**

[ami kio]

Originally Posted by Stormy Heart

AHHH SADDLE ~ my favorite HH love ! Not delicate, but will show personality with use. You can start with TLC spray protector, and I would say OK to TLC lotion only later if she spent a lot of time out in the sun. (Expect the color to deepen a little,) Keep in mind that marks will rub out by hand on Saddle, and massaging the leather will bring it's natural oils to the surface ~ very easy care ! Everywhere you go is climate-controlled* but if you do experience a little dehydration TLC or Lexol water-based conditioners will work beautifully. Your Zs can use it right away. NICO is a garment-washed leather that will spot with any conditioner, so please be extra careful if someday you feel it really needs it. A naked leather would have to be suffering before I'd touch it with conditioner...and I'd have to be willing to sacrifice the lovely matte finish. Goldrush Lorca doesn't need anything. In fact, all products will dull her glow. *except jeeping in the desert !

Stormy, do you also recommend water-based Lexol conditioner on Euc Zeldas that have dye problems (i.e. the green "mold" spots)? I'm worried that rubbing with create more green spots.

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by ami kio

Stormy, do you also recommend water-based Lexol conditioner on Euc Zeldas that have dye problems (i.e. the green "mold" spots)? I'm worried that rubbing with create more green spots.

Eucalyptus (tie-dye) are not suffering mold. Mold looks like what overgrows in outdated Yogurt jars and smelly very musty.
Regular Lexol is good. You do not have to rub hard; buff gently. Being that these are boots, we'd want to consider what weather conditions you'll be wearing them in. When I break out my Euc Maddies, I might use something weatherproof and accept a little darkening. Euc is not a naked leather, so can be polished with Meltonian Creams.
Ami, I know it's been a weird experience for some to get these 2~tone 'oops' leathers, but think of this way: Some of the highest quality leathers are hand rubbed in 2 or three color dyes to achieve an extra dimensional effect and are amazingly gorgeous. Natural eucalyptus is a silvery grey / pale soft green color. Yours are TRUE EUCALYPTUS ! WE don't know for certain how much wear will reveal more green; only time will tell.
Just love your very unique sexy Z boots.

[pursegal]

Hello, I have looked high and low for a posting of how someone cleaned their Amber Avion tote - I had said it collects dirt easily and someone posted how to clean it... can someone help me out? My handles are looking bad, and I am afraid its too late to get the dirt off... I have never had this happen w/ a b bag before... darn it... I'm a bit worried now. I love my amber but am afraid for the first time I have screwed up taking care of a bag.... :-(

Thanks you so much,
Renee

[Sybaryte]

Originally Posted by Stormy Heart

You know how I love vegtan leather.... IDKY but am surprised to find my favorite American Tannery on UTube ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyCaonpEd70 **extra credit**

Watched the video...hides looked very stiff even after all the various treatments. How does it change from stiff to soft? Who does the dyeing?

[Sybaryte]

Copying from another thread:

Originally Posted by Stormy Heart

Cannot be done. If the leather is cracked, it's a goner. If it's that crappy edging, anything you try will look half-a**ed. Return the bag, pronto, OR replace the strap.

What exactly is it that causes leather to crack? I think we've touched on this before but never in depth. Is it storage, handling, weather? I don't baby my bags and have purchased quite a few that were previously used yet I've never had this problem....and I never want to have this problem.

It always seems to be about the strap or handle; is that because those are more narrow, less mass, than the body of the bag...therefore more susceptible or is another factor in play?

Thanks in advance.