Reddit mentions of Fore Supply Co. Venetian Shoe Cream

Awesome job! I want to make something like this one day but feel I am a far ways off in terms of skill at this point. It'll happen eventually.

Mind sharing where you purchased the hardware?

If you don't mind a suggestion, I think it would be worth considering waxing/finishing the flesh side that shows on your handle in the 5th photo (could still be done with what is visible). It gives the backside of that handle a more finished look. I came from the boot world first, so I have been using venetian shoe cream. This is what Nick Horween suggests to maintain their waxed flesh leather. Here is sort of a 'before and after' example. I see people use tokanole, which may work better but I do not have experience.

• Norse Projects merino cable-knit socks in olive drab and shitake, and wool/nylon blend socks in grey melange and cacao.
  
  
• Big ol' tub of Venetian shoe cream
  
  
• 3 horse hair brushes from Kiwi (a little overkill)
  
  
• Gray pants

https://smile.amazon.com/Venetian-Shoe-Cream-Ounces-Neutral/dp/B00QKXAGXW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1549726828&sr=8-5&keywords=venetian+shoe+cream

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https://smile.amazon.com/Bickmore-Bick-Leather-Conditioner-16/dp/B001CS8G3C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549726850&sr=8-3&keywords=bick+4

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I apologize, those links are for a lot smaller quantity than 32 Oz.

This one is for a 32 Oz. can, but it's asking for $9 shipping.

https://smile.amazon.com/Fore-Supply-Co-Neutral-Venetian/dp/B00A6GAT0Y/ref=pd_sbs_309_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00A6GAT0Y&pd_rd_r=2607ced0-2c81-11e9-888f-47f1b1d850e8&pd_rd_w=AFB3V&pd_rd_wg=8FnGV&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=1MKFN2KWN4KQZCVPFMRG&psc=1&refRID=1MKFN2KWN4KQZCVPFMRG

Care of leather is generally broken down into four or five-ish steps, depending on what type of leather you have, what products you are using, and what you are trying to achieve.

1. Clean
   
2. Condition
   
3. (Re-)color
   
4. Polish
   
5. Waterproof
   
   Cleaning and conditioning are the absolute essentials. The other 3 are optional.
   
   Cleaning your leather has different levels of aggressiveness. Core cleaning is wiping it with a soft cloth or brush. Next level up is wiping it down with water and a soft cloth (do not do this for suede). These two levels are pretty safe for all leathers. Next level up is to use a mild leather cleaner (many brands here, generally all labeled "leather cleaner"; also a product called saddle soap, which is slightly more aggressive), which generally isn't necessary, but in your case of using your boots for two seasons without any sort of care, you might want to do it. Care here: using leather cleaner will strip leather of oils, and will need to be immediately conditioned after the cleaning process is done. The final level to cleaning are heavier cleaners, intended to strip down the entire shoe of all waxes, and maybe even stripping down the finish itself. Mostly industrial/professional use at this point.
   
   Second step is conditioning the leather, or replenishing oils/waxes on the leather. Lots of products here, sold under a variety of names, but usually something like "leather conditioner," "cleaner/conditioner," or "leather lotion." Examples include Bick's, Venetian Shoe Cream (VSC, three links here), Saphir Renovateur (affectionately known as Reno), Allen Edmonds Conditioner Cleaner.
   
   A note about VSC: its name is "shoe cream," but it's generally regarded as a conditioner, and not a true shoe cream, which I will discuss below.
   
   The products discussed above are typically gentler, more fine conditioners. They are suitable in general for most any leather, but are excellent for higher-quality, soft calfskin or chromexcel leathers. They will also work on boots.
   
   For products such as boots, which are thicker, rougher, more outdoorsy leather, you might want a thicker, more protective product. To that end, there are more heavy leather dressings such as Pecard's leather dressing and Obenauf's LP. These also add a stronger water protective coating than the other coatings above (these have more wax), and may darken leather. Do not use these for finer leather goods, but this category of product may be perfect for your boots.
   
   For re-coloring (or coloring), there are, obviously, leather dyes. But there are also shoe creams, which are a bit of a blend of conditioners, polish, and color. There are also traditional shoe polish, which is a hard wax. Shoe polish does not usually provide conditioning, only color and polish. Shoe cream is more appropriate where you want deeper, more vibrant color restoration or color mixing; polish is more appropriate where you want a harder shine (dress shoe, perhaps some sort of army boot).
   
   Polishing is shine. Shine is really only desirable usually in dress shoes. Typical products are shoe creams (soft shine) and hard wax shoe polish (hard shine), discussed above. Also a bunch of chemical products like quick shines, shine sponges, and other things which I would avoid.
   
   Finally is waterproofing. Waterproofing can usually be achieved by using wax. And, coincidentally, most of the products above (conditioners (Pecard's, Obenauf's), shoe creams, shoe polish) contain wax. Shoe polish contains the most wax (as, obviously, it is a block of hard wax) and will provide the most water protection, but again, it might not be appropriate on your shoe as it also provides shine. There are also more chemical waterproof sprays / products that you can apply to your leather, which I would avoid. For example, the natur seal that you have seems to be silicone-based. I personally wouldn't use it.
   
   So, having said all of that, what should you buy? In your case, probably some sort of leather cleaner and conditioner. I like Pecard's, but you can go with any of the products I listed, or not listed as long as it fits within those general guidelines. If you're completely lost, you can just buy Red Wing's stuff, but it's important to understand what you're buying, so you know what it's doing and so you don't end up with a thousand different leather products from every company that all do essentially the same thing.
   
   [Edit] To be clear, I sort of went overboard in this guide. Steps 3 and 4 generally apply to dress shoes, not boots. For the case of your boots, I would generally ignore color and shine.

I see these bottles sold everywhere for $20. I like to use a generous amount of this stuff on my boots and camp mocs, so I go through these tiny bottles faster than I'd like.

I slapped my forehead when I found the exact same brand in a 32oz tin for about $42 (with shipping). That's $1.30 per oz as compared to $5.00 per oz when bought in a tiny glass bottle.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A6GAT0Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&pldnSite=1

A lot of people act like taking care of leather is like raising a child, when its more like raising a cat. Just treat it like really durable skin, which is exactly what it is, its not rocket science. Keep the insides dry and the leather supported with cedar shoe trees when you're not wearing them, clean the surface every once in a while with saddle soap or even just warm water, and apply a leather conditioner if the leather feels stiff or dry. I recommend Venetian Shoe Cream.

I got this-sized can from Amazon in August for $40 (same seller). I don't know why it is now $160(!). Anyway, it should last me forever. Maybe just keep checking the 'Zon periodically.

Edit: price back down from space.