Hermes Vintage Bag Nightmares & Hermes Leather Care
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Hi again,
Please note that the leather is a tanned hide from an animal; it's skin, so it is not flat and completely smooth and perfectly uniform,even when rolled and stretched and pressed to look like it is... It still isn't
If you look very closely you will see small bends,creases,striations and ripples..this is as it should be. The very best hides have the highest grading and have the least blemishes (these highest grade leathers are the sort that Hermes chooses from when buying at the tanneries). Blemishes to a hide would include old scars,old brands,cuts,etc...
Some ripples can relax with conditioning this is true however over conditioning is not a good thing . It could take you into a direction of overly soft leather..so do not over do it. Keep in mind that more is not better in this case. For instance textured leather could actually loose some of it's graining by over conditioning.
I think you need to back away from looking so closely and enjoy your bag from the distance of your arm. I see nothing that would make me worried about carrying the bag and enjoying it. The slight bend does not look like any sort of major issue or weakness.
This is after all a handbag,which is one of the oldest essenial tools of women. It is to be an extension of your carrying abilities beyond your hands and pockets. Not much has really changed if you think about it...
Thousands and thousands of years ago women carried bags they were filled with pressious items (digging sticks/womans tools, baby care things,protection, food stuff, medicine,magic,fire making items,currency.trade items,body paints,herbs,scents,cleaners,water,etc..) for when the woman, her family or tribal members may need them.
So with that in mind prehaps you can work your bag with some conditioner and /or polish and get to know it's normal features as you go...kind of like a Mama looks at her new baby..counting it's toes and fingers etc,,, and then make it go to work for you as it was designed to, it was made to last generations and with up regular up keep it will. Enjoy your bag...
Best,doc
Hi again,
Please note that the leather is a tanned hide from an animal; it's skin, so it is not flat and completely smooth and perfectly uniform,even when rolled and stretched and pressed to look like it is... It still isn't
The very best hides have the highest grading and have the least blemishes (these highest grade leathers are the sort that Hermes chooses from when buying at the tanneries). Blemishes to a hide would include old scars,old brands,cuts,etc...
Some ripples can relax with conditioning this is true however over conditioning is not a good thing . It could take you into a direction of overly soft leather..so do not over do it. Keep in mind that more is not better in this case. For instance textured leather could actually loose some of it's graining by over conditioning.
I think you need to back away from looking so closely and enjoy your bag from the distance of your arm. I see nothing that would make me worried about carrying the bag and enjoying it. The slight bend does not look like any sort of major issue or weakness.
This is after all a handbag,which is one of the oldest essenial tools of women. It is to be an extension of your carrying abilities beyond your hands and pockets. Not much has really changed if you think about it...
Thousands and thousands of years ago women carried bags they were filled with pressious items (digging sticks/womans tools, baby care things,protection, food stuff, medicine,magic,fire making items,currency.trade items,body paints,herbs,scents,cleaners,water,etc..) for when the woman, her family or tribal members may need them.
So with that in mind prehaps you can work your bag with some conditioner and /or polish and get to know it's normal features as you go...kind of like a Mama looks at her new baby..counting it's toes and fingers etc,,, and then make it go to work for you as it was designed to, it was made to last generations and with up regular up keep it will. Enjoy your bag...
Best,doc
Thank you Doc, I guess this is my first Box and my first Kelly which I waited so long for it, didn't know how to handle the first blemish I experienced with this baby 
Thanks for reminding me again the whole purpose of having a beautiful bag
. I wish you all the best too!
Hi Doc - I just bought a pair of Land Boots that are described as calfskin leather (is that the same as box?), and wondered if I need to waterproof them in case of rain. If there is a link to your thread on instructions for doing this, or if you could summarize the products and items for me to do this I would greatly appreciate it. The cobbler recommended a spray called Kiwi Super Protector, but I wanted to check with you first about this. Here is a link to the boots on the H website too. I hope this okay to post here since it is a question about leather care. Thanks so much.
http://usa.hermes.com/woman/shoes/boots/land/land-22305.html
http://usa.hermes.com/woman/shoes/boots/land/land-22305.html
Hi doc, so I took the plunge and purchased a barenia birkin (again) 
and want to use it with abandon. I've searched the thread and it looks like you advise that no product be used on it. I just want to make double, triple sure before I take this baby out... So no blackrock or obenaufs? Mine is F vintage and a gorgeous even, caramel color. I love the color as it is... If I don't do anything to it, will it darken much? The other thing I really don't like is when the handles get really dark. Is that inevitable? If so, I'll just have to get over it!
and want to use it with abandon. I've searched the thread and it looks like you advise that no product be used on it. I just want to make double, triple sure before I take this baby out... So no blackrock or obenaufs? Mine is F vintage and a gorgeous even, caramel color. I love the color as it is... If I don't do anything to it, will it darken much? The other thing I really don't like is when the handles get really dark. Is that inevitable? If so, I'll just have to get over it!
I´m not doc but when I bought mine my SA said that they were already water proofed. No need to do anyting. Or that´s what she said, and mine have been trough some wet and look the same.
Hi doc, so I took the plunge and purchased a barenia birkin (again)
Hi congrats, If you don't do anything will it darken much? Meaning you don't put anything on or you don't use the bag? When the velvety nap of the upper layer of the leather lays down you get some darker appearance sure, when you rub the bag even with your hands the oils from inside the hide rise up and make the bag appear darker. When your oils from your hands touch the leather it will absorb it and appear darker.
A good cleaning can help remove excess oils even from handles.. use the bag enjoy it and for gosh sake don't wear white gloves it's plain silly ,Barenia is tough,it's a saddle leather it's not supposed to be babied..it can take work,really I promise. The only thing you do want to do is take care not to lose top skin ie corner wear,edge wear..cause once it's gone it gone...and it's hard to make that look good again. OK?
There are many products I do recommend for Barenia care and upkeep:
Hermes baume
Hermes milk
Hermes saddle soap
Meltonian All Purpose Cleaner conditioner
Lexol PH leather wipes or Liquid
Leather Degreaser
Thanks for reminding me again the whole purpose of having a beautiful bag
Most find it gets easier after the first few scratches...remember the scratches will eventually blend into the bag's unique patina.Box calf gets better with age and use...
Good luck
Hi there, I don't like silicone containig products personally. Check the container first.
The leather is similar to Box calf if not the same exactly. I like Obenauf's LP heavy duty for leather boots fwhich will see weather use, if you like a matte look then stop or follow with Blackrocks Leather N Rich for a mellow glow or a good Neutral polish for high glossy shine.
Thanks Doc and Lovely. I will not use the silicone spray. I will get the Obenauf's LP heavy duty per your recommendation and the Neutral polish to have on hand as well. I like the shine on the boots rather than matte too, although I do not want them to be super glossy. Lovely, my SA did not know if the boots were weatherproofed or not. But I am glad to read you have worn them in wet condition with no problem. Fortunately so far our weather has been great and no rain!
Thanks so much! By don't do anything, I meant use product... Don't worry, I will carry this baby!
I think you are saying if it looks good now and doesn't need cleaning, that I just use it and don't pretreat with anything. Correct? Thanks again
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