Blackrock Leather 'N' Rich

Blackrock Leather 'N' Rich is one of several "secret recipe" tack conditioner formulas on the market, touted as "as a proven alternative to soaps, oils, water repellents, and other conditioners." While not anything as greasy as something like Oakwood Leather Conditioner, it's definitely sticky, presumably from some type of wax, possibly beeswax.

I don't consider Blackrock a "cleaner" in any sense of the word, unless your cleaning regimen consists of adding a sticky coating over dirty leather, with no concern where the dirt went. No, I only apply Blackrock to leather that's already been cleaned, as a conditioner.

Because of the stickiness, you need to be careful applying around decorative stitching or deep tooling, as any residue will attract dirt and dust. If you like your stitching to remain bright white or don't want to clean out your tooling with a toothbrush, Blackrock may not be the product for you, particularly if you like to slather things on, give it a quick wipedown, and call it done (you might prefer the simplicity of Oakwood Leather Conditioner or Passier Lederbalsam). There's a lot more rubbing and buffing involved with Blackrock Leather 'N' Rich.

I tend to use Blackrock as a final sealer over already-conditioned leather, or a standalone conditioner on lighter-duty items like fine bridlework, for a finer finish than most conditioners alone. I love the smell, the texture, and how easy it is to apply just with fingertips. It's much easier to control than some of the heavier, oilier conditioners. A little bit really does go a long way.

Blackrock Leather'N' Rich applied over leather conditioned with Passier Lederbalsam (top) takes on a higher sheen and adds richness to the natural leather colors. Passier Lederbalsam alone (bottom) doesn't have quite the sheen or color enhancing characteristics, though it's a superb conditioner in its own right.

The presumed mystery waxes in Blackrock's secret formula will impart a luster when buffed, but only if applied in very light coats and allowed to dry completely between. Heavy coats of Blackrock turn to a gooey mess that attract lint and dirt like a magnet, and your polishing rag will drag through that Scheisse like hot tar on a summer's day, making for a miserable experience.

Depending on the original leather color, Blackrock Leather 'N' Rich may darken significantly, but in my experience it darkens dry and distressed leather the most. In such case, the darkening effect may actually be from restoring the leather's original color, which appears much lighter in its parched state.

Blackrock Leather 'N' Rich applied to dry, neglected leather deepens the color significantly. Once the Blackrock has been rubbed in, absorbed, and buffed - it seems to restore lost color more than it actually darkens.

As Blackrock is absorbed after rubbing in with just fingertips, the original color is restored, making the piece appear deeper and darker.

Overall, if I have a nice piece of leather I'd like to have a fancier finish on, and understand I'll be spending some time rubbing in and buffing off, Blackrock is my choice for that final step.

Ingredients:
Not Available

Website:
https://blackrock-leather.com

Buy It:
Amazon

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