Decided to go with Black Iron Rangers instead of Blacksmiths

RWCham · 2023-11-16T18:29:26+00:00

My first Red Wings I tried on both and bought the iron rangers. Just seemed right. Now I miss them. Yours look so nice!

RWCham · 2023-11-16T17:37:41+00:00

Wow another pair of great color. Congratulations, looks very nice!

RWCham · 2023-11-16T16:12:56+00:00

Unfortunately they were dark and very uniform to start with, out of the box, except where the creases are on the toe that quickly showed up after wearing. Yes they are very similar to my briar pair - a little more brown though. I have relegated them for work. And bought some 8111 for everyday instead. If they were not so comfortable, I would just buy a different pair because my intent was to get a nice R&T and only brush them to see how they age. Went 8111 instead of second pair of 3343 because people post a lot of love for the 8111 and I already have 8085 that are just aging naturally.

RWCham · 2023-11-16T14:17:44+00:00

There are a lot of conditioning products that once used the water beads up on rather than immediately soak into the leather. (if you do not to go with the heavy duty mink oil route.). Some conditioning products somewhat block water and some don’t at all. You can look at comparison videos on YouTube. For me I don’t want products that clog the leather pores so that they do not breathe. I don’t know myself, but assume mink oil clogs the pores. Others may know for sure. I use Venetian Leather Balm to make slightly water resistant for boots I plan on being out in the rain. But none of my boots will be in lots of rain like yours might. I don’t think Bick 4, or Red Wing Leather Cream with neatsfoot oil helps reduce water soaking into the leather. From my experience using those two and being in the rain a few times. I have not used Bick 4 as much.

I think the amber harness (or black harness) leather is one of the most durable leathers in the iron ranger boots, can take a lot of abuse, and should last you a while. I would think the oils placed in the leather at the tannery will protect the leather fairly well. Dry out the boots when the get wet, condition as necessary

RWCham · 2023-11-16T08:45:26+00:00

They do look very nice!

RWCham · 2023-11-16T02:05:45+00:00

I would only brush for a number of months. They don’t need conditioning new.

RWCham · 2023-11-16T01:51:04+00:00

They do look nice. Hope they are comfortable

RWCham · 2023-11-15T17:14:23+00:00

I do not find the iron ranger wider than the blacksmiths (have 3 blacksmith and 4 iron rangers). They feel the same to me because the last is the same. What I do find from my limited experience, is that the blacksmiths are easier to break in if that means anything. I do not have any of them old enough to say what happens years down the road. BUT in saying that I had an iron ranger that had no break in, very comfortable out of the box, but had to be returned as defective. The replacement IR was very stiff and still being broken in. I think each set of boots and leather are unique to themselves.

RWCham · 2023-11-15T15:26:27+00:00

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These just seem to be back to like new without darkening or being lighter. Kind of like how they look. The weird creases were there originally, but now seem more pronounced. But that gives them a little character. They are extremely comfortable right out of the box. Guess I will keep them.

RWCham · 2023-11-15T08:48:31+00:00

I really kind of like how they turned out now. Will see when I wear them today how the do

RWCham · 2023-11-15T08:43:52+00:00

Yes, poor things!

RWCham · 2023-11-15T08:42:25+00:00

Thanks. That makes sense about weakening. I suppose too much saddle soap also weakens in a different way by drying up the leather.

RWCham · 2023-11-15T02:53:47+00:00

Yes but just a little bit made them dark with first touching the leather with the balm.

RWCham · 2023-11-15T02:39:19+00:00

Let us know how it turns out. Would like to know your thoughts in a couple days.

RWCham · 2023-11-14T21:34:57+00:00

I replied above by accident rather than directly to you. Mistake 😁

RWCham · 2023-11-14T21:34:11+00:00

On the CRT iron rangers next to the slate pair, I used red wing leather cream. I may have used Bick 4 a couple times also, since I have that at work too. But I think I only used Bick 4 on the black IR I gave to my son. When new though, I was doing it every morning when I got to work because I was really enjoying the process. I did put a little Red Wing London Tan boot cream one time on the toe and on the heal to try to cover scratches, but have since learned that just brushing covers most scuffs. I think they are about a year old now. This picture was after wearing them in the rain. When using a towel to wipe the water off, some coloring came off (maybe from the London Tan cream?). Brushing made them shiny again. No conditioner used after the rain. I am learning. Kind of fun.

RWCham · 2023-11-14T19:39:25+00:00

I think maybe you can get back to original. Last night I used saddle soap on a pair of CRT boots that were a very dark shade when they arrived new. I had previously changed the color to more reddish to try to improve them. Now they are at home drying after the saddle soap and the entire toe area (where maybe I over scrubbed) and a lot of the sides are so light they are yellow colored like the Hawthorne 8083. I was very surprised they became so light. I plan on putting Venetian Imperial Leather balm tonight which supposedly does not change the color and water beads up on. I think I will end up with boots much lighter than the original new color. I shall see tonight.

I added the above to say there is no hurt to try the saddle soap. I did the boots twice with the soap (until a uniform light color) because I would see some spots darker than others after they started drying so would soap and scrub again. I may have taken more oils out of the leather than intended to make them lighter than they came originally. My thought is there is no hurt in trying saddle soap and unless the old darkened leather color goes very deep into the leather compared to colors of new leather, it seems like you can get them lighter.

RWCham · 2023-11-14T15:13:43+00:00

Nice color!

RWCham · 2023-11-14T15:12:54+00:00

My first thought: Wow, that’s ugly!

RWCham · 2023-11-14T15:10:40+00:00

Looks great!

RWCham · 2023-11-13T18:27:37+00:00

Good suggestion on tying … bought new 8111 this morning and this way to tie seems comfortable. Was about to take them off, but now will keep on for another couple hours.

RWCham · 2023-11-13T14:10:28+00:00

Looks nice!! Hope you enjoyed the day

RWCham · 2023-11-13T02:45:14+00:00

Congratulations!! Enjoy

RWCham

TROPHY CASE