shoe blacking

[kb35]

Is there a good source for shoe Blacking? Also would I use shoe blacking to maintain the rest of my leather gear or should I use something else?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: shoe blacking

I've purchased my blackening from a Rev War supplier named Ray Najecki (just do a google search). He offers "blackball" which has served my needs well for a number of years.

[Marylander in Grey]

Re: shoe blacking

excellent stuff I use it all the time

[kb35]

Re: shoe blacking

I did RevWar for years and am familiar with Mr. Najecki's products. Did not know he carried blackball.

thanks

[unionprivate]

Re: shoe blacking

Sounds like good information. I'll have to acquire some. Thanks

[Gary of CA]

Re: shoe blacking

I know the British soldiers of the Peninsular War (Napoleonic era) used soot from a kettle to blacken their shoes. I don't recall which book I read it in.

[Backus]

Re: shoe blacking

Roy does have period shoe blacking or "Blackball". He charges $3.00. He is a great guy to deal with, and quick to respond to orders. His website is http://www.najecki.com/repro/Haversack.html

I hope this helps

[PVT.BEN MILLER]

Re: shoe blacking

I don't black my shoes but I think get a piece of burnt wood get the burnt end wet and rubb it in.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: shoe blacking

Another good shoe blacking is a mixture in equal parts of, olive oil, cod oil, raisin and beeswax plus enough lampblack to make it black.

[markj]

Re: shoe blacking

Try these receipts from "Dick's Encyclopedia" (1872):

http://chestofbooks.com/reference/Encyclopedia-Of-Practical-Receipts-And-Processes/Boot-and-Shoe-Blacking.html

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[ephraim_zook]

Re: shoe blacking

Cod liver oil must really improve the odor of the shoes along with their appearance. :-)

Ron Myzie

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: shoe blacking

OK...it appears the Mr. Jaeger is the only one to have provided DOCUMENTATION thus far...lets remember what this forum IS and what it IS NOT...without solely deviating into likes/dislikes...and opinions...this is the Authentic Campaigner...right?

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21883

Paul B.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: shoe blacking

Not having my own supply of mutton tallow and ivory black, I've been using Mr. Jarnagin's products. He claims that these are "re-formulated" from period recipes, which is as much as saying they're not exactly the same, but I make the assumption that he gets closer than I would.

Ron, the "Crown Soap" contains some kind of fish oil and, yes, my dogs just love the smell.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: shoe blacking

Mutton Tallow: This is not hard to render...it's simply beef fat that's been boiled down, strained, boiled down, strained, rinsed...etc. This is the fat that you get when you cook hamburger meat, when it cools it turns white and hardens up...the purer you get this substance, the harder and whiter it gets...having done a couple fat rendering projects in the past, I usually go to the butcher (or have a friend do it), and ask for all the beef fat they'll give me (sometimes free...sometimes dirt cheap), then either place in a stock pot...or a crock pot...cover with water and do a long cook until all the fat frees itself from the meat/bone. then I pull out as much of the meaty, boney parts as I can...let cool...strain out funky water...and at new clean water until it just covers the remaining fat/impurities...once the fat liquifies...it's time for straining and then repeating the process again.

Paul B.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: shoe blacking

Hallo!

"Mutton Tallow: This is not hard to render...it's simply beef fat that's been boiled down, strained, boiled down, strained, rinsed...etc"

Just a slight correction...

Beef tallow comes from cows/cattle, mutton tallow comes from sheep.
IMHO, the screwy one is what comes from pigs... "lard."

:)

Curt