Docride's Hermes vintage bag nightmares & Hermes leather care

[H2014]

Dear Doc,
I bought a 35 cm Black Box Birkin directly from Hermes almost two years ago and hardly ever use it as I am so worried about rain spots and blisters. Once I got caught in the rain and the bag got blisters, but thankfully they went away overnight, so now I do not dare using it anymore.
Given your wonderful experience and the fact that you have evolved your recommendations, what would you recommend that I do with the bag so I can use it? I do not want to do anything that would prevent the bag from developing a patina or that would cause

Hermes not to accept it for a revision in the future if that makes sense.
Thank you very much for your response in advance. I have attached a picture of the bag.

 

[docride]

Dear Doc,
I bought a 35 cm Black Box Birkin directly from Hermes almost two years ago and hardly ever use it as I am so worried about rain spots and blisters. Once I got caught in the rain and the bag got blisters, but thankfully they went away overnight, so now I do not dare using it anymore.
Given your wonderful experience and the fact that you have evolved your recommendations, what would you recommend that I do with the bag so I can use it? I do not want to do anything that would prevent the bag from developing a patina or that would cause

Hermes not to accept it for a revision in the future if that makes sense.
Thank you very much for your response in advance. I have attached a picture of the bag.

There are a number of wonderful products these products are usually called conditioners which you can use to help prevent water blisters and will not cause the bag to have future issues or patina problems. Even using a good conditioning cream neutral polish (without color ) would help...

 

[H2014]

Dear Doc,
Thank you very much for your swift response...which products would you recommend in that case? It would be great if you could share some names.

 

[Dahls]

Hi Doc,

I'm considering this vintage croc Kelly - does this look like normal wear and tear that can be easily cared for at the spa, or a repair of a larger scale?

Thank you!

 

[docride]

View attachment 3386901 Hi Doc,

I'm considering this vintage croc Kelly - does this look like normal wear and tear that can be easily cared for at the spa, or a repair of a larger scale?

Thank you!View attachment 3386900

That's not many photos, the side shows a tear so I suspect the leather and skin may have dry rot.. please post additional photos
All the best,doc

 

[Dahls]

Thanks for the response, Doc! I managed to get a few more photos.........and there is a tear on the other side too I'm only considering the bag because it does fall into my budget with some room for repairs. If the leather is no good though.............

 

[calexandre]

Hi there Yikes! Im sure you are upset....
I no longer recommend obenaufs' L.P. or Blackrock... I did for certain leathers only (vache natural and Dark Box calf) but then folks got into trouble with using it on everything and also in not using it in a proper way...
The leather that is worn or has not finish will suck up oils and waxes then darken... this is the case here.. you had an area of less semi finish and or wear there and those areas sucked up the obenauf's. LP? Was this the LP product?
Eventually it will fade some... cleaning can help some but you are kinda in a spot now.
Leave it for a few days and see if its has faded enough to be less noticeable... at this point do not do anything just wait...... Check back in a few days OK? Hang in there....
Hugs, doc

Dear Doc, apologies for the tardy reply to your kind words and expert advice. What you say about areas of less finish makes sense to me-- that Bolide looked like it had never been worn when it arrived, but I'm guessing based on your assessment that it dried out a bit in places while sitting unused all those years and then just grabbed the LP oils unevenly. Yikes.

I did end up letting it "rest" for almost a week to see if the spots faded, but that Obenaufs wasn't budging. It looked so bad as it was that I figured experimenting with it wasn't going to hurt-- sure, it could end up looking worse, but it already looked so splotchy that I wasn't going to make it less wearable when it was already pretty much unwearable. Lo and behold, I'm happy to say my cleaning efforts worked! It doesn't look like a bag that has never been worn the way it did when it arrived, but it actually looks how I wanted a saddle leather bag to look-- nice and warm and sporty. I'd sure as heck rather not have gotten it to that stage by massively screwing up and scrambling to undo damage, but I'm relieved things have turned out okay in the end. I've attached a pic of her new look.

If there's a positive to be drawn from this story, it's that I have a lot of respect for Porc now-- I really put that bag through the ringer to draw out the Obenaufs. Porc is TOUGH!

Next time I get a new type of leather, I'll stop in for the very latest and greatest Doc-expertise. Lesson learned!

 

[momasaurus]

Dear Doc, apologies for the tardy reply to your kind words and expert advice. What you say about areas of less finish makes sense to me-- that Bolide looked like it had never been worn when it arrived, but I'm guessing based on your assessment that it dried out a bit in places while sitting unused all those years and then just grabbed the LP oils unevenly. Yikes.

I did end up letting it "rest" for almost a week to see if the spots faded, but that Obenaufs wasn't budging. It looked so bad as it was that I figured experimenting with it wasn't going to hurt-- sure, it could end up looking worse, but it already looked so splotchy that I wasn't going to make it less wearable when it was already pretty much unwearable. Lo and behold, I'm happy to say my cleaning efforts worked! It doesn't look like a bag that has never been worn the way it did when it arrived, but it actually looks how I wanted a saddle leather bag to look-- nice and warm and sporty. I'd sure as heck rather not have gotten it to that stage by massively screwing up and scrambling to undo damage, but I'm relieved things have turned out okay in the end. I've attached a pic of her new look.

If there's a positive to be drawn from this story, it's that I have a lot of respect for Porc now-- I really put that bag through the ringer to draw out the Obenaufs. Porc is TOUGH!

Next time I get a new type of leather, I'll stop in for the very latest and greatest Doc-expertise. Lesson learned!

So glad this worked out. Your story actually made my chest hurt! She looks beautiful now, though. Wondering what products you used for cleaning....TIA.

 

[wilmi]

That is a beautiful pork bolide. The brown is gorgeous. Lucky you! Cheers.!

 

[YLN]

Dear Docride,
I recently bought a resell Kelly togo leather about 10 years old (good price), the overall condition was good except the handle little bit crack lines (pic 2) and the right side of the opening right (pic 1) a pc of the leather has peel off. Need your advice should I return it or keep it or get it repair by Hermes or sent to other reputable bag spa services or leave it and use it first? My concerned is not only the handle also the open side the leather peel off will it affect and pull against other parts of the leather when if is used it daily?
Thank you in advance and have a good day ahead!
Cheers!

 

[frou frou]

Dear Docride I'm in a quandary about a newly arrived bag which I purchased from a consignment company who described it a' dark brown Barenia with orange stitching'
Oh my! Ebene Barenia? I thought my Plume boat had eventually come in!
My desire for a Plume in Barenia is based on love for the character of it and also the need for a bag that I can use without having to keep an eye on the weather forecast , at the moment I'm unable to use my BBK or Toile GP for fear of showers. Secondly I want a Plume that will age well and with character . I take care of my bags but babying them is out of the question and so I don't mind character or a bit of wear on corners/handles .
But a shabby scratched shapeless bag after a couple of years use is not for me.[ have my Amazonia GP for that!]
Now the bag is here, it's gorgeous , but I doubt it's Barenia …. sadly. I enclose photo of the Hermès stamp which is gilded.
But I don't know which leather it is ,so am unable to know if it will suit my purpose.
I would love to know exactly what you think it is and any tips on looking after it please.
As you can see it has come with faint scratches .I'm OK with that , but need advice as to treating more substantial ones if they arise which I'm guessing they will as I'm on and off buses and tube trains living in London.
The leather is thick , luscious and lustrous ,with a fine round grain except on the base which has a larger grain.
It's very supple and was made in 1999 .
The leather lining appears to be the same leather as the outer.
Photo of zip shows most clearly the rounded small grained texture , I also enclose one of the base where the grain larger
I don't recognise it as Box, Barenia or Epsom [ based on bags I already have ] Swift I've seen seems in store seemed super smooth and rather matte ,not as shiny and luminous as this.
But based on all my research here and online I'm thinking that I've got a Gulliver bag , colour I'm not sure …either Havanne or Ebene.
I saw on a post here from way back that you consider Swift/Gulliver should not be treated prior to use. Does that mean it's ok in a shower if dried off quickly afterwards ?
Also if scratching becomes worse and bothers me can I disguise the scratches with Meltonian or can Hermès do anything to them?
.
Thank you once again for your fantastic thread , you are th best!
.

 

[frou frou]

I took a photo last night that shows the supple nature of the Plume ...

 

[docride]

Dear Doc, apologies for the tardy reply to your kind words and expert advice. What you say about areas of less finish makes sense to me-- that Bolide looked like it had never been worn when it arrived, but I'm guessing based on your assessment that it dried out a bit in places while sitting unused all those years and then just grabbed the LP oils unevenly. Yikes.

I did end up letting it "rest" for almost a week to see if the spots faded, but that Obenaufs wasn't budging. It looked so bad as it was that I figured experimenting with it wasn't going to hurt-- sure, it could end up looking worse, but it already looked so splotchy that I wasn't going to make it less wearable when it was already pretty much unwearable. Lo and behold, I'm happy to say my cleaning efforts worked! It doesn't look like a bag that has never been worn the way it did when it arrived, but it actually looks how I wanted a saddle leather bag to look-- nice and warm and sporty. I'd sure as heck rather not have gotten it to that stage by massively screwing up and scrambling to undo damage, but I'm relieved things have turned out okay in the end. I've attached a pic of her new look.

If there's a positive to be drawn from this story, it's that I have a lot of respect for Porc now-- I really put that bag through the ringer to draw out the Obenaufs. Porc is TOUGH!

Next time I get a new type of leather, I'll stop in for the very latest and greatest Doc-expertise. Lesson learned!

Whew that's great! Im glad it worked out in future please everyone stop using obenauf and blackrock on everything ...it was only recommended for a couple of leather types and now I dot even recommend those products because folks and have been having difficulties with applying the correct amount and not removing excess.
Im really glad it al worked out.
All the best,doc

 

[docride]

Hi there I dot see a photo.... can you load some?
Thank you,doc

 

[docride]

View attachment 3395959 View attachment 3395960 View attachment 3395959 View attachment 3395960
Dear Docride I'm in a quandary about a newly arrived bag which I purchased from a consignment company who described it a' dark brown Barenia with orange stitching'
Oh my! Ebene Barenia? I thought my Plume boat had eventually come in!
My desire for a Plume in Barenia is based on love for the character of it and also the need for a bag that I can use without having to keep an eye on the weather forecast , at the moment I'm unable to use my BBK or Toile GP for fear of showers. Secondly I want a Plume that will age well and with character . I take care of my bags but babying them is out of the question and so I don't mind character or a bit of wear on corners/handles .
But a shabby scratched shapeless bag after a couple of years use is not for me.[ have my Amazonia GP for that!]
Now the bag is here, it's gorgeous , but I doubt it's Barenia …. sadly. I enclose photo of the Hermès stamp which is gilded.
But I don't know which leather it is ,so am unable to know if it will suit my purpose.
I would love to know exactly what you think it is and any tips on looking after it please.
As you can see it has come with faint scratches .I'm OK with that , but need advice as to treating more substantial ones if they arise which I'm guessing they will as I'm on and off buses and tube trains living in London.
The leather is thick , luscious and lustrous ,with a fine round grain except on the base which has a larger grain.
It's very supple and was made in 1999 .
The leather lining appears to be the same leather as the outer.
Photo of zip shows most clearly the rounded small grained texture , I also enclose one of the base where the grain larger
I don't recognise it as Box, Barenia or Epsom [ based on bags I already have ] Swift I've seen seems in store seemed super smooth and rather matte ,not as shiny and luminous as this.
But based on all my research here and online I'm thinking that I've got a Gulliver bag , colour I'm not sure …either Havanne or Ebene.
I saw on a post here from way back that you consider Swift/Gulliver should not be treated prior to use. Does that mean it's ok in a shower if dried off quickly afterwards ?
Also if scratching becomes worse and bothers me can I disguise the scratches with Meltonian or can Hermès do anything to them?
.
Thank you once again for your fantastic thread , you are th best!
View attachment 3395957 View attachment 3395958 .

Hello there
I agree I believe it looks like veau Gulliver which I believe to be a wonderful leather.
Yes it will get scratches and if scratches bother you they can sometimes be made to look slightly less noticeable with light conditioning.. I would not ever use colored polish or neutral polish on this leather, when you say meltonian which product do you mean ? Meltoian is a brand and does not denote specific product unless you add it in (smiles)
If te scratches bother you perhaps try a leather with some texture which may be less pro

View attachment 3390060 View attachment 3390063 View attachment 3390060 Thanks for the response, Doc! I managed to get a few more photos.........and there is a tear on the other side too I'm only considering the bag because it does fall into my budget with some room for repairs. If the leather is no good though.............

ne to showing scratches?
You want Barenia leather why?
All the best,doc