Originally Posted by
unworthy1
well I stand corrected about both Tony C.s last name as well as the value of saddle soap...but he DOES soak saddles in a bucket of water for "no longer than 24 hours". Personally I am scared of trying it and hope I never neglect my Brooks or Ideales so that they become that dried out. In my local climate, leaving damp leather in the dark is an invitation for mold growth and that blue-greenish mold REALLY attacks the leather!
I find that soaking in water for about an hour is sufficient to get (even the thickness of leather I use) it mouldable. As the water will take some time to dry out of the leather, and so will remain in contact with the inner fibres, I don't see the need to go that long.
Also I suggest that too long in the water may leech some of the tannins out, which is not desirable (I speculate there).
Rudi and I have had recent correspondence on this, and he may offer his experience.