I think it was me who commented on Lederbalsam.
I have used it for years and have found it to be useful for preventing
mold, and for pre-treating hard saddles. It also can be used with good
effect on leather book bindings. I have an edition of Pushkin´s works,
St. Petersburg 1899-1902, which must have been bound when complete, so
the leather is now well over a century old. It is supple again after treatment with Lederbalsam. But back on topic.
Example: Last March I bought a used but nicely shining Brooks Professional very cheaply in Holland. The thing was absolutely rock hard. I then proceeded to brush on Lederbalsam which vanishes instantly
into the leather. I use it both top and bottom of the hide. My guess is
that as the liquid penetrates quickly it will also go down deep, if used frequently, which I did. After that, I applied coat after extremely thin coat of Proofide, of course only on the top of the hide.
One can´t wipe off the waxy residue of the bottom of the hide. It took
me some months, but towards the end of last year`s season (October) the
saddle was soft enough and is now quite comfy.
My experience is that Lederbalsam works quickly, but will not soften thick leather very much. Proofide will, but sometimes needs months to do so. It seems to me that it still works away in the hide weeks after
having been applied.
Regards, Toni Theilmeier, Belm, Germany.