[QUOTE=Jay Gardner;4640]15-years ago I bought a pair of Russell Sheep Hunters, thinking they woudl be the 4x4 of all boots. (What the hell was I thinking?) A couple of years ago I sent them back and had them resoled with Birdsuooter soles and they are much mire enjoyable. I have been planning to dress the boots but I am not sure what I want to use. Bacon grease - not going to happen as I have a hard enough time already keeping my dogs from chewing on my boots and shoes. Sno-seal is certainly an option but what else have you used?
Thanks, Jay- I think those Sheep hunter series soles were often called waffle stompers, heavy treads that would plug up with gunk and mud and clay. I have also used Mink Oil on the Birshooters- I think I once read about putting leather boots after being treated into a warm oven to "set" the Sno-Seal or Mink Oil- probably the same guy that suggested washing the many times fired AA red hulls in the Missus' Maytag to clean off the black powder crud--
As a former "grunt- 0311) the old trick of getting a new pair of leather boots wet and walking them dry to mold to your feet (heavy sox recommended) comes to mind, and my Russell's qualify- but my newer Red Wings (heavier and no moccasin toe style) require no treatment except removal of mud-
I can't recall what I spent when I ordered my Birdshooters, but it was money well spent and I even remember the name of the manager of their order dept. back then - Ralph Fabricius if memory serves. Doing business with small specialized American companies is, to me, more personal and gratifying than buying from Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Scheels or even L.L. Beanies!!
