VenetianShoe Cream, 3 Ounces, Neutral

Easy to apply, sets quickly, and polishes up well. I was surprised by its consistency; it truly is a cream, very liquid, not a paste. It comes in several colors, but I chose neutral for flexibility.

Wonderful product, very healthy for leather

I own and have owned many leather and horsehide jackets; new and vintage. I also used to do leather work in my hippie days: so I know leather pretty well. This cream is recommended by Horween, the premier leather tannery company in the US. If they recommend it, that means something.It is usually compared to Saphir Renovateur, which is also excellent. Differences: 1.This is much cheaper. 2.This appears to be water based; while the Saphir is mink oil based. So the Saphir softens slightly better; but darkens the leather more. 3. The Saphir shines the leather more because of the oil base.I use both; depending on the color of the leather and how thick/stiff it is; and the finish I want. Both are excellent. I’m currently using this on a Horween Metro horsehide jacket; and it looks great and softened well, although not quite as much as the Saphir. It didn’t affect the color.Bottom line: good stuff and cheaper than Saphir. But there’s plenty of room for both.

Works very well. The only thing it does darken a tad bit, but not too much.

This cream is perfect for shell cordovan leather. I just bought my grail boots, the Grant Stone Maduro Shell Diesel’s(refer to photo) and I conditioned it with this VSC. Look at the results. I simply applied a pea size and spread it all over. Then I buffed with a brush and a microfiber rag. The results speak for itself (refer to the photo). Results of a thin layer of VSC.Also used it in my shell cordovan card holder. Same shine and the wallet really needed it too. Can’t get any better because this cream has some waxes in it so you can use it on all kinds of leather, cxl, shell, kudu, etc,. Smooth leathers but not for rough out or suede. This stuff also doesn’t have a smell which is nice.I used to use Saphir products and sometimes I still do but their cream and polish smell so strong I don’t like it. The VSC has no smells whatsoever and you can apply it with your bare hands. Or at least I do.

Venetian Shoe Cream is simply one of the best shoe conditioners on the market.

I am amazed that Venetian Shoe Cream only mentions in passing that it can be buffed to a shine. For all of its primary purpose as a leather conditioner, the sole reason that I buy it is because it is the best final step polish for shining shoes in the world. It's really that good if you are intent on spit shining leather the old fashioned way.I was introduced to Venetian Shoe Cream almost 40 years ago as a cadet at a military university. We wore the old leather low-quarter military issue shoes that were not the synthetic material that mimics waxed and polished leather. I probably spent as much time polishing shoes as an underclassman as I did studying. Mirror-finish glassy shine was the standard.To begin the process you need to start with a standard wax shoe polish and build up some thin surface layers of wax. When the wax layers are smooth and uniformly applied on the toe, sides, and heel, Venentian Neutral applied in **very** small amounts on a cotton t-shirt should be applied by rubbing in small circles with two fingers.The amount of Venetian that you will use for spit shining is probably 1% of what you would use if you were trying to condition leather to keep it supple. When using it as a polish, it remains on the surface of the wax rather than being absorbed into the leather itself.There should be just enough Venetian cream to make the surface of the shoe look cloudy as you rub it in. The t-shirt cloth should also be moistened (you can use water or spit if you prefer) to keep the cream from drying too quickly as it is rubbed only the surface. The cream should disappear into the wax as it forms a thin shiny layer on top of the wax. Repeat this process several times and you will eventually have the most impressive shine on your shoe leather.I don't spit shine very often these days and my old glass bottle of Venetian neutral lasted about 25 years before it thickened to the point that I had to buy a new bottle on Amazon. I was glad to find that the formula hasn't changed. I only use it for one pair that is worn with a tuxedo to black tie events and a quick touch up with Venetian brings out the glassy mirror finish quickly since they have a good layer of wax on Venetian already applied.

I bought this for a pair of expensive Danner boots, which are almost Khaki colored and I wanted to keep the color that way. This stuff worked and (after it dried) didn't darken the leather very much. I'd use this product for boots used primarily indoors.I've used mink/neatsfoot oil for 40 years and that stuff works as well or better but it does darken the leather a lot.