Most things are BIFL if you take care of them. Anything made from leather lasts years if you regularly clean, and condition it. Newest item in here is my gun, everything else is several years old.FlatusGiganticus t1_j2c9eab wrote
Reply to comment by Ok_Ad8503 in Most things are BIFL if you take care of them. Anything made from leather lasts years if you regularly clean, and condition it. Newest item in here is my gun, everything else is several years old. by [deleted]
Keeping them conditioned with the correct types of oils helps keep the moisture out and lubricates the fibers. This keeps the leather more supple, the fibers more flexible, prevents dry rot, wet rot, mold and mildew, and means the leather doesn't disintegrate and crack as quickly, and will most certainly make it last a lot longer. It is very obvious on items like saddles, but it applies to boots and other leather items as well.
Ok_Ad8503 t1_j2cbjs6 wrote
I could maybe see doing that if you're planning to store them in a garage for 50 years and you want them to look new. But if you're actually using it I don't think you need it. I have a wallet that's 20 years old. Never once conditioned the leather. I have boots that were 20 years old when I got them 10 years ago. Belonged to my dad. Never conditioned. The stitching and soles will wear out years sooner than the leather. Conditioning leather is like treating wood furniture with a coat of mineral spirits. Does it help to preserve it? Yes. Will it still be there and functioning as intended without if you're using it, also yes. Just saying, if you like to take care of your stuff and make it look like the day you got it I get that. But it's not necessary imho
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