Making Dubbin (Leather Conditioner) - its easy!
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- This video shares the secrets of traditional Dubbin, a really effective leather conditioner and protective treatment for boots.
Music credits:
Artist = Earth Tree Healing
Composer = Claudine West
Website = www.youtube.co...
My great grandmother lived to be a 110 years, lived through the Great Depression. Having food and family around the table was more important than fancy things.Lived in the same house that she grew up in. Not much remodeling, just what needed to be fixed, same with her car, cook stove, appliances. She took much pride in seeing how long things would last. She would say a glass of red wine in moderation is good for you. Don’t take the same road home, take a scenic route…just enjoy the little things.
I say bring back the good ole days !
Nice video, thank you!
You're very welcome
As my grandfather used to say, 'the only part of the pig that doesn't have a use is the oink' !
Very true... Fiona loves trotters roasted!
@@EnglishCountryLife
good gelatinous gourmet grub :
Hey I just wanted to express my thanks to both of you. My parents were terrible people and worse guardians, so basically every useful skill I've learned has been taught by people like y'all on the internet. My partner (whose parents were also awful) and I are saving up to be smallholders ourselves here in America, and learning from people like you really help make that dream possible for us. So, thanks so much from across the pond. Much love. ❤
We're so glad this is useful to you. We love our life & hope you love yours too
I figured someone would have the answer to making a shoe product at home for my extended self isolation due to Covid-19 thank you.
You are most welcome Robin, do let us know how you get on with it. Hugh
I've really enjoyed this video. I'm not a hiker or outdoors sports person but I remember my daddy always used dubbin to waterproof his and my brothers' boots. He did my school shoes and if I could make this stuff now I would use it on my modern shoes because more often than not ladies shoes are not designed or manufactured these days to keep your feet either warm or dry! As a retired teacher I get the impression you are also a good teacher..either a natural or trained and I do appreciate your efforts to help the rest of us with your channel.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments - it means a great deal! Hugh
You have the way of speaking of a great teacher.
Thank you for this content.
That's very kind, thank you
Attenborough style lol
Many thanks for that. I'll give this a go when my current tin of purchased dubbing runs out. I use dubbing on my motorcycle boots and gloves for waterproofing. I've also recently starting putting my boots and gloves in a pre-heated oven, around 70C for 15 mins before and 10 mins after applying the dubbing. Just helps the process of soaking the dubbing into the leather.
I knew someone who wrecked boots doing that in too hot an oven 😳
@@EnglishCountryLife - oops!!
@@iqofafish1073 🤣
Totally agree with your ethos
Thank you!
I'm blown away by how hard it was to find any useful information on taking care of leather. Thanks for these videos! 👍
I'm so glad they were useful!
I love how you use everything you have available like in the times before single use mentality.
Thank you Elizabeth! Its really important to us to do just that. Its better for the environment & allows us to make much of what we need from products usually though of as "waste". The more efficiently we can live, the less time we have to spend making money & the more time we have for the life that we love. Hugh
Air rifle pellet tins might make a good container if one is into shooting, I use them for various storage needs while canoeing or camping.
Thanks for another well produced and info' packed look into your life and ethics.
atb Rob.
That's an excellent tip, they would be perfect!
Sweet tins for me :)
You are such a humble man that my fingers itself clicked the subscribe button.
Thank you
Great Video on leather care. Thank you
@@glennd9756 Thank you!
I am a general contractor who learned more in 2 videos than half a dozen inspector visits. Thank you good sir my boots will look amazing.. the other contractors will be jealous of my boots
You are very welcome! Any questions, just ask. Hugh
This is brilliant. Thank you. I was looking at commercial dubbin and it seems so many don't list ingredients or use petroleum products. I have been looking for "real" dubbin. Now, I can make it myself.
Fantastic! I hope you will find it really straightforward! Hugh
I really like the idea of making the best use of every bit that comes through our hands. We are living in a waste generating society without knowing it. Thank you for teaching us how to be at least less wasteful.
Glad that you liked it 🙂
Dear Sir, (and greetings to your lady!). I live on a smallholding in North West Germany. Please, continue your videos! Just treated my boots with your recommended stuff. Use it since years. It is also good old practice here. You put it on the point. Thanks a lot! Greetings /peter PS: Please excuse my weak English
Hello Peter! Your English is excellent and thank you for the kind comment 🙂
Brilliant.
Thank you!
I spent most of my working life down the pit and always hated the time when I had to don new boots [very heavy duty and tough as wood] ..... till I was taught how to break them in. First put them in a big pot of hot [but not boiling] water. Wrap it up in a heap of blankets to keep the heat and leave for 24 hours - a bit like a slow cooker. Take them out in this sodden but softened state and wear them until completely dry. This moulds the boots to your foot shape and to the places where they need to bend and stretch [and tended to stain your feet blue black:
That makes a huge amount of sense. As a leather worker, "wet forming" veg tanned (oak tanned) leather was how I formed a sheath to a knife or other tool. you need good, thick, properly tanned leather to do it, but it's highly effective.
@@EnglishCountryLife
I've never found anything to beat it. Just wish I could get a few new pairs of original NCB boots - really tough footwear
Very interesting you’re never too old to learn something new
I love learning new things... especially old things 😁
I finally made it and my shoes went orgasmic when I applied this on them. I could almost hear them cry out in pleasure. This was like water for their parched throats. Damn, I could go on with the metaphors. But I will stop. Thank you for forever changing shoe care for me.
Wow! You're very welcome ☺
Lovely video! Useful information, but the tone also matches the life you live. Slow, peaceful, appreciative!
Thank you !
What a great video. Not only with how to make and apply Dubbin but also explaining how beneficial it is, and in particular it being made from products that are often seen as waste. I used to polish my boots when i was younger and they looked great but i keep that for my job interview shoes now and it's the less shiny but much more protective Dubbin all the way for my working boots.
Thumbs up, and subscribed. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Love the video! Thank you.
So glad you liked it John!
Good stuff, life how it used to be....i had nothing for my work boots 6 mths ago, and used engine grease out of a tube....got me through the winter, will make your dubbin and will try to incorporate some caraubana sp wax as i have a kilo of that hanging around...interesting vids....
Well worth making some high gloss polish with that wax (see our shoe polish video). It's fantastic stuff for that
What a great video. I hope I can use natural lard from my local butcher’s. Will give it a go tomorrow.
If you can't Mark, try rendering your own from leaf fat, it's very easy
czcams.com/video/6HGb7lnR_so/video.html
I finally watched this video and so glad I did! I can now preserve the leather in my old keep instead of just making it slick and smelly. Saving money, reusing natural by-products and learning new skills!!
So glad it was useful!
Greetings from America.
I really appreciate and enjoy your videos. They've inspired me to stop spending money on overpriced convenience products from the store.
When I can spend less than $10US
And get same or better quality products than store bought. I'm definitely doing it. I've already made the oil skin product. It worked fantastic and I had enough to do 2 full length dusters. With plenty left over for possibly 2 or 3 times more on both dusters.
I also used that same oil skin product on my patent leather boots. They look amazing.
I thank you again for very informative videos !!
That's fantastic Joe and it means a huge amount that you took the time to let us know. Thank you!
I love what you’re all about. I just bought 2 used pairs of boots from eBay and I’m going to treat them with this oil. You’re doing an awesome job spreading awesome knowledge!
Thanks so much Geoffrey!
Thanks for the info, I intend to make this conditioner to fix my boots and shoes that I've repaired a while ago.
Its great at cleaning & softening. Hope it works for you
I found this video (and thus the recipe) 8 months ago and FINALLY got around to making some.
I've used KIWI leather protectors and conditioners before and had okay effects.
The difference in feeling alone is quite interesting. It is, of course because of the lard, quite greasy but easily applied. Because it's cold here in the States (it is January and I live in the northern part of the country) I set my tin outside to cool.
I will be testing my newly coated boots (which my dogs can't resist because of the fat content) and reporting back if anyone is interested.
One last thing to add, I applied this my work boots which are coated in fabrication shop dust and now they look brand new.
I'm delighted to hear it worked well on your work boots!
I've added them to my daily wear boots as well and they look so much better. Wearing them in the snow today they do indeed repel water beautifully!
Easy to make, easy to apply, easy to acquire ingredients.
Fantastic, thanks for letting me know 👍🙂
What a nice video. Your passion for not being wasteful and creating something on your own comes through so well. An aside: I expected you to pick up a flute at the end and break into Bouree.
That's amazingly kind of you, thank you! I love Jethro Tull, I recall spending some lovely times backpacking around Ian Anderson's place on Skye about forty years ago, when it was still a ferry ride from the mainland!
I would like to know who the two toshpots were that gave this guys a thumbs down :( I thought it was very well done and very informative \o/ gave me some new ideas to look into and think about in my own new and upcoming craft(s) :) Thank you kind Sir o/
Thank you 😉 So glad that you enjoyed it
Companies that make commercial leather conditioners? Or vegan leatherworkers?
Obviously sanctimonious vegans.
What'did you call me!?
The lard alone is dangerous enough, but adding the cod liver oil creates a smell strong and alluring enough to bring every bear in the county in most of North America. Black bears in particular are strongly drawn to animal oil smells. If you put this concoction on your boots and leave them out on the porch overnight, you stand a good chance of having one taken away as a bear’s chew toy. Bears are not very drawn to light bees wax smell.
I'm in my 30s and I love the old ways. I have been looking for an animal based recipe for leather conditioner and this is fantastic! I can't wait make it. Subscribed and looking forward to learning more!
You are so welcome!
I just made a leather sealer on my stove top. Bee’s wax, lanolin, and bear grease (I rendered it down from bear fat).
Bravo! Great video 😌
Thank you!
Love the use of natural products to nourish and protect leather. Easy recipe, once you know how! Once again very instructive and easy to follow - thanks Hugh!
Thanks guys!
You’re saving the leather goods and our planet. Brilliant! Thank You.
Thanks Peter - that's the aim!
You should research and make a Fix’n Wax video/formulation. It’s a bushcraft/outdoors wax used for knife/axe rustproofing, wood handled tool preservation and leather conditioning. Not to mention hand cream, emergency fire extender, candle, etc. It seems like a natural extension of your various wax/oil/lotion videos. Thank you.
I already make one for waxing Barbour jackets etc. I must video it some time!
English Country Life That would be great. Does the Barbour wax you make also work on other waxed canvas items like tarps and so forth?
Oh yes, cotton canvas tarps, old canvas rucksacks, canvas gaiters etc.
I made my first batch today 😍😍😍😍😍 best stuff ever!!!! I am in love with it!!! So much better than anything I have bought from the shop!
Thank you Sir!!!
I'm delighted! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Next quick question.. sorry for being a pain. How would you recommend to making this a bit softer?
I did all ingredients by weight and after sitting overnight it has now hardened up to almost like beeswax again?
Ambient temp in the house is about 26-27c
@@karleemettam3371 it is fairly hard. If you would like a softer finish, reduce the amount of beeswax used by one quarter. Regards Hugh
I have been watching videos on youtube during covid-19 restrictions. now after watching your channel i feel that time was wasted as i am learning alot. Saddle soap is not available in India on amazon.in. Now i have learnt from your video and will make it for my leather shoes.
I'm delighted it was useful for you.
This is a very nice starting point. I have mutton tallow, beeswax, real mink oil, dark pine tar ready to go! I am just waiting on spruce resin or pine if it doesn't come soon. I have been researching ratios, but most threads on the internet are old and broken so I guess I will add 2 or 3 parts tar and maybe 1 part resin. Might have to reduce the lard to compensate. Really don't know, just guessing. Thank you
Resins are hardening agents so start low and build up. When the mixture gets too stiff, add oil . I let the mixture cool and use a little then remelt and adjust
And yes thats a big YES from me! More of this sort of thing please!
Certainly! We've done homemade dye recently. Is there anything specific you would like? Hugh
Never heard of Dubbin -- but I'm impressed by the results! Looks much better than the 'dull matte' description given early in the video.
Its a traditional English leather treatment for working boots. Its heavier on the waterproofing components like oil & fat and lighter on the shiny waxes than the polish for formal shoes . Works very well indeed on hiking boots
@@EnglishCountryLife Ok -- trouble is I've gone to two American Supermarkets without success finding Lard. It seems to be out of fashion by the healthy-eating types. How about Crisco? Vegetable shortening is basically vegetable fat, right?
@@georgegonzalez-rivas3787 It is, but animal fats work better. Lard is easy to make from leaf fat. We have a video on the subject
czcams.com/video/6HGb7lnR_so/video.html
If you don't want to do that can you get tallow (beef fat)?
Very nice video,and thank you for ALL of your information.I used a product named Dubbins boot grease,and now can make my own much cheaper!
Glad it was useful 🙂
Hey Hugh. Loved this series. Somehow managed to watch them in reverse order but they were all great. Would love to see a recipe for a food safe oil to use on timber butcher blocks/ cutting boards etc.
Great idea Monique, thanks!
Hi there, I do lots of woodwork, and so do my friends. The best foodsafe oil for such projects is macadamia oil. You can find this in the salad oils section of the supermarket, or perhaps in health food stores. It does not go rancid or have any odour. Plus if you don't need to use it all, you can eat it!
Next in line is walnut oil.
My favourite wood dressing for tool handles, furniture etc, is boiled linseed oil, preferably mixed with about 30% pure gum turpentine. Smells phenomenal!
Unlike varnishes and lacquers, this mixture absorbs into the timber and hardens up over a few days. It can be reapplied every year or less as needed, depending on the exposure to weather and water. You can also use timber polish on top of this.
I use raw food grade flaxseed oil.
I did a mix with beeswax and MCT oil. It seems to have done the trick for the board I was wanting to protect. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked for now. I normally have macadamia oil on hand for soaping but was out for once. I have a baby macadamia tree. Still in a pot. Hopefully in a decade I’ll have so many macadamias I can press them to extract the oil myself 😁
Thank you chap really informative going to make this as I need it for my collie dog s stopper pad protectors which are leather hes gets them wet every day in the winter especially, also my walking boots and anything else leather thank you for sharing kind regards sandi.
Glad it was useful Sandi 🙂
Wow I really had been searching for such a video. We think the same way. Animal products for animal products. Thanks greetings from mexico
Thanks for watching!
@@EnglishCountryLife I'd really like to see a shampoo DIY video
@@tiagovazkez9356 I'll add it to the list!
Keep up the good work 👍
Thanks, will do!
Enjoyed the video . . . . so creative! You're the BALM!!! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Excellent video. I haven't used dubbin for years, but this has inspired me. Thank you.
It still works really well! Hugh
Just brilliant, from every perspective!!
Thank you 🙂
Really useful series thanks
Thanks Simon
Great show, squire and thanks!
You're welcome Pete, Merry Christmas 🎄
I've watched a few of your videos and found them enlightening. You also have a very pleasant, relaxed manner.
On a related subject, i'd like to know how to make a natural product, that would rejuvenate, condition and recolour a black leather jacket.
Hi Paul, I suspect that you would need to do that in stages. Vinegaroon is a natural black dye made from iron & vinegar. Here's how to make it
www.instructables.com/Vinegaroon-Black-Leather-Dye/
@@EnglishCountryLife Thanks for the quick reply. Not sure about that method as the jacket is lined with a kind of faux sheepskin. It says you need to submerge it during the process and that it penetrates right through.
The jacket just has a few patches where it is worn a bit and not so black.
Hi Paul - it's tricky to achieve a full colour restoration on a lined garment but I have applied vinegaroon with a leather dye dauber h these things
amzn.to/3RXOSTU
If the dye doesn't need to be home made, Fiebings leather dye is amazing stuff & I've applied it with a dauber. Getting a complete invisible repair is almost impossible without re-dying the whole garment but you can certainly tidy up scuffs & scrapes
amzn.to/3K8z6Us
@@EnglishCountryLife Thanks. I had been looking at the Fiebings already before i saw your videos. I think i will just get that, then mix up some of your black dubbin to seal it in. Why do you use Cod Liver Oil in it, instead of the vegetable oil you use in the polish?
This probably works better but what I like to use is murray's beeswax to condition patent leather
If it works, it works!
I share your philosophy. Great video... thank you. I am going to try this tomorrow. 😃
Excellent - do please let us know what you think?
@@EnglishCountryLifeHi, I had a slight delay but went to the shop today to buy some Codliver Oil as we only had capsules. I couldn't believe the price of a small bottle... 🙄🤣🤣.
Is there an alternative to the oil or do you really recommend using it? I read that Olive Oil can be substituted but wanted to ask your opinion.
@@stefanm67 Olive oil works but isn't quite as effective imo. I wouldn't spend a fortune though!
@@EnglishCountryLife thanks so much. I will let you know how I get on.
Great video thanks for posting. A brilliant idea using a portable cooker - that way the missus doesn't get angry for making household items on her good stove in the kitchen. Keep up the good work.
You've been there too? 😁. Fiona is very kind & practical do she doesn't mind much. The only thing I mustn't make in the house is Turkish Delight. She hates the smell!
Lovely ideas . I’m going to try more of your recipes
Hope you enjoy
WoW - what a great video .
Glad I've found your channel - I'll be watching a lot more of you I think.
Thanks Tony!
Very informative, simple and effective. Thank you. 😊
You're welcome Paul - time was everyone made their own, it really is easy
Thanks!
You're welcome 👍
Nice. thank you for giving me a new fall prep idea.
I'm glad !
Love your videos. Thanks so much and happy new year.
Happy New Year!
Brilliant, responsible and useful idea! Great communicator, congrats.
Thank you so much 😊
Brilliant 👍 I usually buy Dubbin to use on my work boots and belts. You got a new Subscriber.
Excellent! Do let us know how you get on with it!
I watched many videos on how to treat leather, this is what I was looking for!!!! Brilliant! Simple, uses natural animal byproducts and is easy to make! Its perfect!! I will make mine like this! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much! That means a great deal to us.
Thank your thistle was great ❤
Glad it was useful
This is great. Thank you, it is so good to reuse byproducts of other things and be less wastefull
Really glad you liked it! Hugh
Great video and I love your attitude to sustainability that is just nicely woven into this practical guide. Well done!
Thank you, that means a lot. Hugh
super video. very informative. super useful. definitely making some to use on my tack.
Thank you!
Thank you.
Wow! Once again you impress. Thanks.
Thank you Paul, I'm glad it was useful
Really enjoyed this.
Brilliant description thanks. I need to give my walking boots some tlc and was about to buy more dubbin. Not now, I'm going to give this a go (even if the smell of cod liver oil brings back a childhood horror) haha
This is definitely the best use for cod liver oil!
Bravo
@@johnnyboydianno Thank you
wow! i didnt expected that, nice product, in the end you said very nice thing also! i respect that
Glad you liked it. Thank for the comment!
Thank You💗Upstate NY USA
You are so welcome
Excellent, great instructional. Thank you!
Thanks Peter!
Thank you for this. I'll have to make some soon.
It saves me a fortune!
Sir, you are inspiring, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge
Thank you 🙂
Thankyou so appreciate this .looking forward to more videos
You are so welcome
Truly enjoy your videos. Was looking all over for tinted leather conditioner when I should have come directly to your viddies. Thanks.
Thank you! Hugh
Brilliant video. Well done and your view of the impact on the planet is spot on. Cheers.
Thanks Jason! Really appreciate it. Hugh
Very good and very useful idea plus you gave me some good tips love the video
Glad you liked it Clive, thanks for commenting. Hugh
Probably the best video on this topic I've seen, actually tries to give a deeper understanding of what is used and why!
That's so kind, thanks Martha. Hugh
Loved the video, learned a lot of useful things. Thank you!
Thank you, that's very kind
A very interesting video. Thank you.
Thanks Joe, lots more to come in the Winter when harvest is over.
Many thanks. A very enjoyable video. I've just been dubbin my boots and was curious as to what went in to it. Love your philosophy too.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I want to do this with rendered bear fat. It was the go to leather condition er/protectant for natives and western pioneers. It can be shelf stable for over a year. Illegal to sell or buy though
We've not had bears for centuries so that's completely outside my experience
Brilliant video! What to use, how to use it and why and alternatives.
Thank you so much!
Superb......... thanks for your time
So glad that you liked it!
Thank You very much! i love your great, cheery & informative videos, so far i have made a couple of your recipes and i rate them highly! RxR
Thank you so much!
excellent video! really well presented and very informative thanks cobber!
My pleasure!
Fantastic video. Thanks for posting this. I made 4lbs of my own dubbing a couple years back. The grease I used was bear grease. I'm an avid hunter and bear hunting is a passion. Had some rendered black bear fat lying about and thought I'd give it a go. And bear grease was used for this traditioanlally as well, also for pomade and salves etc.
I have never used bear grease (no bears here), how is it to use as a grease? Heavy? Scented?
@@EnglishCountryLife rendering it down is a smelly affair. But once it is done it is just lard essentially, it smells and has about the same consistency as standard pork lard.
Fascinating. We render our own lard ( there's a video somewhere). We us lard in soap making. Would be very interesting to try bear fat for that.
@@EnglishCountryLife bear fat/lard should work fine for that. Pretty sure I've seen historical references of it done. Bear fat/grease/lard was in high demand for all sorts of products, so I imagine they did use it for soaps as well. I know they did use hippo lard for soap. Lard from a hippo isnt near as good product for anything compared to bear lard in my book. So imagine it would make a fine product.
Excellent video very interesting and informative.👍🏻
Glad you think so! Thanks Tim.
Excellent job
Thank you very much!
another great video
Thanks Peter!
Thank you, very helpful.
You're welcome!
700th subscriber here. Really love your channel! I will try this for my wallets :) Thank you for sharing, love and lights _/\_
Thank you do much! Please let us know how you get on?
Thanks you
Thank you too!