[Racer]

When building layers of polish for a military shine, wax has a tendency to crack over the creases.

That means too much wax has been applied.

Also, wax, by its nature, is a sealant and can contribute to drying out of the leather.

I've seen this posted as fact several times, but what evidence is there? I have been using wax polish for 30+ years, and have never had shoe leather "dry out." Do you have evidence to the contrary, or is this just your opinion?

Cream also contains some conditioner to help with the softness of the leather.

Yeah, so does Kiwi paste wax polish.

 

[The Rambler]

Where can one find this Venetian Cream???

Orgetorix, (see trad forum), sells little bottles of it to forum participants.

 

[Cruiser]

Kiwi polish has been my choice for decades on all shoes from military issue to Aldens, Ferragamos, Pradas, etc. None of the shortcomings of Kiwi mentioned by others has ever been apparent on any shoes I have owned.

When I arrived at Navy basic training in 1968 they issued us a small shoe shine kit that essentially contained a tin of Kiwi shoe polish and a couple of cloths. They showed us how to polish shoes and said that ours were to be polished by the next day.

There was a Filipino guy going through training in my company and what he did with that Kiwi polish and a clean rag was nothing short of amazing. His shoes looked like patent leather and I am not so sure that one couldn't have shaved using them as a mirror. He made some money polishing shoes for others during basic training. He would sneak into the head late at night and polish shoes while everyone else was asleep.

I've never seen the need for anything other than good old Kiwi after seeing what that guy could do with it.

Cruiser

 

[spielerman]

...and don't forget some Venetian Cream for the regular treatment of the Chromexcel and the semi-annual treatment of the shell cordovan ponies in your shoe collection. :teacha:

I know one member of the site used to sell this cream, but somehow can't get a response from him.

Where else may one procure Venetian Cream?

 

[eagle2250]

I know one member of the site used to sell this cream, but somehow can't get a response from him.

Where else may one procure Venetian Cream?

The last I purchased was from www.foresupplyco,com. Shipped, a quart of it cost me around $18, as I recall. You can also purchase Venetian Cream from www.russellmoccasin.com but, you will pay an inflated price for (I think) a two ounce bottle.

 

[The Rambler]

The last I purchased was from www.foresupplyco,com. Shipped, a quart of it cost me around $18, as I recall.

man, you are set. Don't forget to close tightly :icon_smile_big:

 

[TheGreatTwizz]

Their shipping has gone up, unless you happen to be very close to them...quart would run me about $26 and outlast me. Hey Rambler, want to split one?

 

[spielerman]

Their shipping has gone up, unless you happen to be very close to them...quart would run me about $26 and outlast me. Hey Rambler, want to split one?

Seriously, could split some if someone wanted to... would this stuff work on leather furniture?

 

[Nick V]

Seriously, could split some if someone wanted to... would this stuff work on leather furniture?

Venetian works great on any leather. We use it all the time.
Just make sure that you work it in well.

 

[The Rambler]

Their shipping has gone up, unless you happen to be very close to them...quart would run me about $26 and outlast me. Hey Rambler, want to split one?

Twizz, I have one, as yet unopened, wich I'd be happy to split with you, if you can figure out the logistics (I'm still working on the 2 oz I got from Org.) It is wonderful for calf.

 

[TheDlABlO]

I've used Kiwi for many years and its always been decent. However, I've swapped to allen edmonds polishes and cleaner/conditioner.

I quit paste or instant liquid polishes in favor of cremes. They are easier than pastes and don't wear off extremely quickly like instant liquid polishes. The AEs work well and the applicators don't dry out. Kiwi applicators seem to dry out and its hard to avoid dispensing too much. Same with the Kiwi conditioner/cleaner - the bottles get really clogged.

 

[eagle2250]

man, you are set. Don't forget to close tightly :icon_smile_big:

Their shipping has gone up, unless you happen to be very close to them...quart would run me about $26 and outlast me. Hey Rambler, want to split one?

LOL. Indeed a quart of Venetian Cream could last a fellow a long, long time. However, the shipping costs may be higher because www.foresupplyco.com ships the product in a hazardous materials(!) box and the carriers may be having to afford same some additional degree of special handling. :crazy:

 

[mhj]

While we're on the subject, I have a pair of cognac and a pair of burnished burgundy shoes. Is it recommend to get shoe polish in those colors or to use neutral?

 

[TheGreatTwizz]

Twizz, I have one, as yet unopened, wich I'd be happy to split with you, if you can figure out the logistics (I'm still working on the 2 oz I got from Org.) It is wonderful for calf.

Maybe I can buy ya a drink/coffee sometime?

 

[JackParrish]

That means too much wax has been applied.

I've seen this posted as fact several times, but what evidence is there? I have been using wax polish for 30+ years, and have never had shoe leather "dry out." Do you have evidence to the contrary, or is this just your opinion?

Yeah, so does Kiwi paste wax polish.

First post, but a long time reader.

There are as many debates about wax/cream as there are over any topic on the internet. However, when you take a composite snapshot of the wisdom from the best of the best, the fact is that the arguments against wax do not really pan out in real life. As with most things in life, there are tradeoffs with all methods.

Regarding the "drying out of the shoe" with wax, I'm afraid it's more fiction than fact. I've talked to a lot of cobblers in my time and all of them admit they have not seen the negative affects you see posted online. In fact, many of them use waxes and use them proudly. The big issue isn't drying, actually, but it's trapping moisture IN. Shoes rot from the inside out due to the amount of sweat most people produce with their feet that rots the leather on the inside. Shoes cared for with waxes combined with good wooden shoe trees and even a few changes of shoes (so the same pair get a chance to dry and rest) will last decades just like the same combination of cream and shoe trees.