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@StandardPractice
I have just had some good results that I thought I'd share.
I have a pair of shoes, made out of a particular kind a leather (produced by American tannery Horween) called Chromexcel, that I wasn't been entirely happy with as the brown wasn't as dark as I wanted. So I looked into ways of darkening them and came up with a few options:
Neatsfoot oil - an oil that is used in the leather's production that, like most oils, darkens the leather when it's applied. However, it doesn't last forever and the leather will lighten up as it dries out again.
Dubbin - in particular Saphir's Graisse (graisse is French for grease I believe) that would also moisturise the leather and darken it slightly.
Dark shoe polish- As a wax rather than an oil-based product this is not strictly recommended for use on this particular kind of leather, but I thought it might temporarily darken the colour and darken it permanently over time
Leather dye - Kiwi and a few other companies do a readily available leather dye that comes in a bottle, that dyes the leather permanently but has to be applied extremely cautiously.
Darkening oil - is a product that I found through a Horse riding forum, that is colourless and is applied like any leather conditioning oil, but that darkens the leather with each application.
Anyway, I went with the last option and bought some Hydrophane brand darkening oil. It worked really well. I was sceptical at first as I couldn't (and still can't) understand how it works, but after two coats the leather is substantially darker. It's easy to use and covers evenly. Also, it isn't overly greasy and doesn't make the leather limp or over-moisturised. I imagine it'd work on other leather items (saddles?) to a greater or lesser extent.
I have about 95% of a 500ml bottle left if anyone wants to give it a go.