Dubbin

granca

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Aug 20, 2007
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How do you say dubbin in Spanish/Dominican ? My Collins dictionary doesn't list it at all and on-line the best it could come up with was grasa !! Just in case, it's a mixture of tallow and fat to waterproof and soften leather, particularly shoes.
 
Aug 6, 2006
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I have reached a rather mature age, and have never seen or heard this word. I suspect that it is a word used more in the UK than in the US. I agree that grasa para zapatos or grasa para calzado would be an acceptable translation. I think I have heard this called 'waterproofer".
 

VJS

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Sep 19, 2010
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Not sure what it's called in Spanish but I used to buy it at Nacional, it was among all the shoe polishes and what not.
 
Aug 6, 2006
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I have always wondered where they get neatsfoot oil, since I have yet to see even one wild or domestic neat.
 
Aug 6, 2006
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Whoa! Neat is another name for cattle.

Neatsfoot oil is a yellow oil rendered and purified from the shin bones and feet (but not the hooves) of cattle. "Neat" in the oil's name comes from an old name for cattle. Neatsfoot oil is used as a conditioning, softening and preservative agent for leather. In the 18th century, it was also used medicinally as a topical application for dry scaly skin conditions.

"Prime neatsfoot oil" or "neatsfoot oil compound" are terms used for a blend of pure neatsfoot oil and non-animal oils, generally mineral or other petroleum-based oils.

I am familiar with bull, ox, steer, calf, cow and even kine (the ancient plural for cow). But I have never heard the word "neat" used that way.
 

bob saunders

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cuero conservante . Dubbin is a leather conditioner and there are many different products but if you use cuero conservante you should get an acceptable product, at least you will in Mexico.
 

granca

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Thanks for all your advice and suggestions but I think it will be easier for me just to buy a tin from Amazon !!
 

bob saunders

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Well as someone who wore leather cork-boots for logging everyday for four years and grew up wearing cowboy boots I can tell you there are better products out there than Dubbin.
 

bob saunders

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So Dubbin is a trade name?

Dubbin is a product for softening and water-proofing leather, as is mink oil, saddle soap, and numerous other products, including neat's-foot oil. Different people have their personal favorites. Dubbin works well but I always found it a little messy and sticky. There is an art to putting the right amount on. Your boots/shoes will be more comfortable and last much longer.