Docride's Hermes vintage bag nightmares & Hermes leather care

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#1,293
docride said:
Saphir for greasey leather could do what you want and not alter the hand feel you should be able to get it in the UK
Good luck
Click to expand...
Thank you, I'll have a hunt. Saphir Etalon Noir leather balm is the product they suggest to nourish and protect saddle leathers. It just says contains animal fats but doesn't list other ingredients. I'm wondering if that may be similar to Hermes saddle balm? and worth trying in a discreet area? It looks like it is a more solid balm in a tub.
 
#1,294
Tonimichelle said:
Thank you, I'll have a hunt. Saphir Etalon Noir leather balm is the product they suggest to nourish and protect saddle leathers. It just says contains animal fats but doesn't list other ingredients. I'm wondering if that may be similar to Hermes saddle balm? and worth trying in a discreet area? It looks like it is a more solid balm in a tub.
Click to expand...

Gee whiz I've really tried here and I think I've been patient too right?

I even found and tested for you a product you are least likely to have a mess with

But then you find yet some other product even less appropriate like animal fat Baum to ask me about ? (Smiles I know there are lots of products out there and it's a dazzling pile to sift through and I know you are innocent in your questions)

Those heavy animal fat type products are good for boots , saddles and tack which will be out in the elements and exposed to salty horse sweat

Some old timers used lard, bear grease and bacon fat and bees wax combinations on their gear but does that sound like something appropriate for your handbag? Probably over kill right? You bet !

In the professionals hands or someone skilled with experience oils and fats can be used on Barenia sparingly without making a mess

Take home message there's a different between using gear saddles and such and the main thing is the Barenia used in a saddle is thicker

Most saddles aren't made of oil tanned leather like Barenia , it's usually vegetable tanned leather like Herman oak for instance and that's very different from Barenia so most saddlery products are made for thick Herman oak type leather which will be exposed to the elements and horse sweat and mud etc

But of course try what ever you think you want to try it is your bag
However , I wish I could talk you out of it

Best bet Send the bag to Hermes and avoid a disaster

It really sounds like you are focused on doing something to your beautiful Barenia bag

I've seen similar situations before
And the novice makes a well meaning but ill informed mess and is in tears

Why not find something less precious to practice on?

Before touching your Kelly ?

I promise you I'm not trying to be mean spirited here

I've actually had ladies put waxy fatty baume on there crocodile bags ! And we'll you can imagine that's not something that's going to be returned to original again with a cleaning

I wish you good luck sincerely
Doc

PS To the readers of these posts I am NOT recommending to anyone to go out and start slathering wax , grease , oil on their Barenia handbags ok? Thank you [emoji178]
 
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#1,295
docride said:
Gee whiz I've really tried here and I think I've been patient too right?

I even found and tested for you a product you are least likely to have a mess with

But then you find yet some other product even less appropriate like animal fat Baum to ask me about ? (Smiles I know there are lots of products out there and it's a dazzling pile to sift through and I know you are innocent in your questions)

Those heavy animal fat type products are good for boots , saddles and tack which will be out in the elements and exposed to salty horse sweat

Some old timers used lard, bear grease and bacon fat and bees wax combinations on their gear but does that sound like something appropriate for your handbag? Probably over kill right? You bet !

In the professionals hands or someone skilled with experience oils and fats can be used on Barenia sparingly without making a mess

Take home message there's a different between using gear saddles and such and the main thing is the Barenia used in a saddle is thicker

Most saddles aren't made of oil tanned leather like Barenia , it's usually vegetable tanned leather like Herman oak for instance and that's very different from Barenia so most saddlery products are made for thick Herman oak type leather which will be exposed to the elements and horse sweat and mud etc

But of course try what ever you think you want to try it is your bag
However , I wish I could talk you out of it

Best bet Send the bag to Hermes and avoid a disaster

It really sounds like you are focused on doing something to your beautiful Barenia bag

I've seen similar situations before
And the novice makes a well meaning but ill informed mess and is in tears

Why not find something less precious to practice on?

Before touching your Kelly ?

I promise you I'm not trying to be mean spirited here

I've actually had ladies put waxy fatty baume on there crocodile bags ! And we'll you can imagine that's not something that's going to be returned to original again with a cleaning

I wish you good luck sincerely
Doc

PS To the readers of these posts I am NOT recommending to anyone to go out and start slathering wax , grease , oil on their Barenia handbags ok? Thank you [emoji178]
Click to expand...

Yes I've shown heavily damaged Barenia being oiled with Hermes baume and it saddle oil and pushing the patina on Vache natural in combination with other products in the past
But that does not mean it's what I recommend in the care and up keep of your Hermes saddle leather hand bags
In fact I would advise against it
As in the hands of the novice things can go very very wrong in a hurry. It takes skill and experience to get excellent results and to correct things that are heading the wrong way before they go there
Just trying to help avoid tears

By all means practice restoring some old leather items get proficient at it
an Hermes bag should not be your first attempt at a handbag restoration
Just saying
Hugs doc
 
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#1,296
docride said:
Gee whiz I've really tried here and I think I've been patient too right?

I even found and tested for you a product you are least likely to have a mess with

But then you find yet some other product even less appropriate like animal fat Baum to ask me about ? (Smiles I know there are lots of products out there and it's a dazzling pile to sift through and I know you are innocent in your questions)

Those heavy animal fat type products are good for boots , saddles and tack which will be out in the elements and exposed to salty horse sweat

Some old timers used lard, bear grease and bacon fat and bees wax combinations on their gear but does that sound like something appropriate for your handbag? Probably over kill right? You bet !

In the professionals hands or someone skilled with experience oils and fats can be used on Barenia sparingly without making a mess

Take home message there's a different between using gear saddles and such and the main thing is the Barenia used in a saddle is thicker

Most saddles aren't made of oil tanned leather like Barenia , it's usually vegetable tanned leather like Herman oak for instance and that's very different from Barenia so most saddlery products are made for thick Herman oak type leather which will be exposed to the elements and horse sweat and mud etc

But of course try what ever you think you want to try it is your bag
However , I wish I could talk you out of it

Best bet Send the bag to Hermes and avoid a disaster

It really sounds like you are focused on doing something to your beautiful Barenia bag

I've seen similar situations before
And the novice makes a well meaning but ill informed mess and is in tears

Why not find something less precious to practice on?

Before touching your Kelly ?

I promise you I'm not trying to be mean spirited here

I've actually had ladies put waxy fatty baume on there crocodile bags ! And we'll you can imagine that's not something that's going to be returned to original again with a cleaning

I wish you good luck sincerely
Doc

PS To the readers of these posts I am NOT recommending to anyone to go out and start slathering wax , grease , oil on their Barenia handbags ok? Thank you [emoji178]
Click to expand...
Ok, sorry. I wondered if it may be a similar product to the Hermes saddle balm, but I guess not! It was meant as an innocent question, not to annoy you and I will leave well alone! I was going on the fact you mentioned seal oil in the h baume and to check in a tack shop. I really do appreciate your advice and extensive knowledge which is why I asked before trying it.
I know you mentioned a Saphir product for greasy leather but I didn't find one that mentions that whilst browsing the site I know stocks Saphir in the uk, so just wondered about a saddle balm from somewhere other than Hermes. But was wrong obviously. Trust me I have no desire to ruin my bag, was just concerned it looked a little dry and wanted to avoid sending it to Hermes if I could condition it at home. I'll hold off doing anything.
 
#1,297
Tonimichelle said:
Ok, sorry. I wondered if it may be a similar product to the Hermes saddle balm, but I guess not! It was meant as an innocent question, not to annoy you and I will leave well alone! I was going on the fact you mentioned seal oil in the h baume and to check in a tack shop. I really do appreciate your advice and extensive knowledge which is why I asked before trying it.
I know you mentioned a Saphir product for greasy leather but I didn't find one that mentions that whilst browsing the site I know stocks Saphir in the uk, so just wondered about a saddle balm from somewhere other than Hermes. But was wrong obviously. Trust me I have no desire to ruin my bag, was just concerned it looked a little dry and wanted to avoid sending it to Hermes if I could condition it at home. I'll hold off doing anything.
Click to expand...

I think if you start with a lotion type product you can go a stage of darkening at a time it will be slower but you can repeat and you'll have greater control over the outcome
I know you are innocent in your questions I mention that as well

Saphir for greasy leather is a lotion type product and should work for you much better than a straight greasy baume type product

I don't know if the product you mentioned is similar if the same as Hermes Baume
I would not recommend the Hermes baume or oil for your project as I believe it will be much harder to control

That's why I keep trying to steer you away from them

The cleansing milk by Hermes is more forgiving and I did mention that as an option also
But maybe they dont make it anymore? Not sure

I guess because I give advice here I get protective
I'm really only trying to help and steer folks away from harming their bags and actually succeeding in thier projects

Thank you for understanding
Sincerely doc
 
#1,298
image.jpeg
docride said:
Gee whiz I've really tried here and I think I've been patient too right?

I even found and tested for you a product you are least likely to have a mess with

But then you find yet some other product even less appropriate like animal fat Baum to ask me about ? (Smiles I know there are lots of products out there and it's a dazzling pile to sift through and I know you are innocent in your questions)

Those heavy animal fat type products are good for boots , saddles and tack which will be out in the elements and exposed to salty horse sweat

Some old timers used lard, bear grease and bacon fat and bees wax combinations on their gear but does that sound like something appropriate for your handbag? Probably over kill right? You bet !

In the professionals hands or someone skilled with experience oils and fats can be used on Barenia sparingly without making a mess

Take home message there's a different between using gear saddles and such and the main thing is the Barenia used in a saddle is thicker

Most saddles aren't made of oil tanned leather like Barenia , it's usually vegetable tanned leather like Herman oak for instance and that's very different from Barenia so most saddlery products are made for thick Herman oak type leather which will be exposed to the elements and horse sweat and mud etc

But of course try what ever you think you want to try it is your bag
However , I wish I could talk you out of it

Best bet Send the bag to Hermes and avoid a disaster

It really sounds like you are focused on doing something to your beautiful Barenia bag

I've seen similar situations before
And the novice makes a well meaning but ill informed mess and is in tears

Why not find something less precious to practice on?

Before touching your Kelly ?

I promise you I'm not trying to be mean spirited here

I've actually had ladies put waxy fatty baume on there crocodile bags ! And we'll you can imagine that's not something that's going to be returned to original again with a cleaning

I wish you good luck sincerely
Doc

PS To the readers of these posts I am NOT recommending to anyone to go out and start slathering wax , grease , oil on their Barenia handbags ok? Thank you
emoji178.png
Click to expand...
docride said:
I think if you start with a lotion type product you can go a stage of darkening at a time it will be slower but you can repeat and you'll have greater control over the outcome
I know you are innocent in your questions I mention that as well

Saphir for greasy leather is a lotion type product and should work for you much better than a straight greasy baume type product

I don't know if the product you mentioned is similar if the same as Hermes Baume
I would not recommend the Hermes baume or oil for your project as I believe it will be much harder to control

That's why I keep trying to steer you away from them

The cleansing milk by Hermes is more forgiving and I did mention that as an option also
But maybe they dont make it anymore? Not sure

I guess because I give advice here I get protective
I'm really only trying to help and steer folks away from harming their bags and actually succeeding in thier projects

Thank you for understanding
Sincerely doc
Click to expand...
i totally understand you are trying to help me and I really appreciate it!
I may have found the product you mentioned as being perhaps appropriate, my French is pretty poor so please forgive me if this is not the one you meant! :smile:
 
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#1,300
Hi Doc - I just purchased a beautiful Hermes HAC 32 in Vache Natural my dream bag.
It is in great condition although it is from 1997! I was wondering what I could do to protect her from water marks etc...
I live in Australia for reference.
Thanks in advance !
 
#1,303
docride said:
Hey there!
What a cool combination and welcome to the wonderful world of smooth classic leathers !
This bag probably won't slouch much it will gain some patina think of it as rather in between box calf and swift.
If you don't like the twillies on the handles deal then don't do it
Keep your hands free from excess lotions
If and when you get some wear on the handles get them touched up by a pro or have them replaced by Hermes
See if you love this leather
Personally I think it will be better with age and care [emoji1][emoji106]
A totally different vibe than clemence there should be room for both leathers in your closet right?

As for stains I think you can do a weather and or stain protection cream every 3 months and be off to the races so to speak with out worries

I hope this helps?
All the best ,doc
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, Doc! You're so informative. I love your website, btw. Should I treat the bag now with weather or stain protector or wait it out? It got caught in a sun shower today, and I freaked out for a few minutes before I got the rain coat for the bag out. The rain drops beaded up and wiped off easily with no markings, thank goodness. I actually think it seems to be pretty shiny and non-porous.
 
#1,304
Good morning !

I'm got this vintage Kelly lately which I realised there is a crack on it. I'm just wondering if my case is very serious of leather dryness . Will there be any chance that moisturing the leather will help ?


Thanks in advance:heart:
 

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#1,305
LilMissCutie said:
Hi Docride! I just won a Hermès kelly 40 from a seller for a great price. It's in box leather and does have some excessive scratching. Is there anything to make the scratching less visible and "blend in"?

Thank you so much for your time. Pics attached. View attachment 3703104 View attachment 3703105
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That is one very beautiful bag that will on,y get better with TLC and a good box calf spa kit. Please post some follow up photos.
 
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