How To Shine Elephant Cowboy Boots | Kirby Allison

Seek Kirby polish a rare pair of Elephant Skin Cowboy boots step-by-step!
Note on Elephant Skin. We recognize the sometime sensitive nature of the sourcing of elephant skin. All Elephant skin imported into the United States is heavily regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). All elephant comes from Zimbawbe, which sources it through it's wildlife management program. No elephants are poached specifically for their skins; instead, they are sourced from the culling of sick and old elephants in an effort to manage the overall health of the herd. All funds raised through the sale of elephant skin go to support local conservation efforts.
The care of elephant skin is very similar to that of calfskin, except extra effort is required to buff waxes caught in the deep texture of the leather. We recommend conditioning with the Saphir Renovateur and shining with the Saphir Pommadier Cream Polish. Both should be applied with a cotton chamois and, while the polish is still liquid, buffed lightly with a pig bristle brush to redistribute any pooling. Allow extra time (8-10 minutes) for the polish to dry, before vigorously buffing with a pig bristle brush.
Do not use a hard wax polish, as the buildup of hard waxes can cause a white residue appear in the recesses of the leather's texture that is difficult to remove. We also strongly recommend using a pig bristle shoe shine brush to buff, since the bristles offer additional stiffness over horsehair that allow the brush to get into the texture of the leather.
For more reading about the elephant skin trade, we recommend the following article from National Geographic: www.nationalgeographic.com/ne...
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How To Clean Elephant Cowboy Boots
00:00 Introduction
00:21 Elephant Skin Disclaimer
01:19 Cleaning the boots
04:53 Brushing clean
05:55 Reconditioning
08:15 Buffing the conditioner
10:00 Using a cream polish
12:41 Final Buffing
14:25 - Conditioning the shaft
16:55 Brushing the Shaft
18:37 Edge and Heel care
25:28 Final Reveal
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[@claudedestree3120]

I have a pair almost exactly the same and was looking for a good video to take care of them. This was really excellent. I purchased mine over 40 years ago and have taken good care of them. The benefit of elephant is that they will last forever if you take care of them. Mine look new. BTW, they were properly sourced and the boot maker no longer makes them. TRAVEL NOTE: Do not take your elephant boots abroad when you travel. You risk the high likelihood of having them seized by Customs when you return to the U.S.

[@CoffeeMadeMeSay]

Do you condition them every month? Or every week?

[@taimurchoudhry.]

Love the elephant touch.... Amazing boots and thank you for educating us on how the skin is sourced. Great Video as always

[@marioe6696]

I love my elephant boots. Thanks for making this video Kirby. I Look forward to more videos featuring exotic cowboy boots.

[@kirbyallison]

How do you clean them? Like this? Do they hold up over the years?

[@marioe6696]

@@kirbyallison I use a similar technique as yours. I brush the dust off first with a brush. I then condition them with Bick Exotic or Bick 4. I use the same sole edge dresser as you and Saphir cream polish. If I get them dirty for some reason, I use a little bit of saddle soap and lightly lather them. I remove the saddle soap quickly and let dry. I condition shortly after. Your technique is on point Kirby.

[@marioe6696]

@@kirbyallison Elephant hide is very durable and will last several years with proper care and maintenance. I have 2 pairs of vintage Nocona from the 70s; both in amazing condition.

[@k.jordan.r4718]

Where'd you get your elephant boots? Just asking out of curiosity

[@roofchees9]

This intro is infinitely better. I remember lol-ing the first time I saw the last one since it was so over the top, and the volume difference was jarring.

[@kirbyallison]

Thanks! Trying to tighten things up to keep you guys watching longer! ;)

[@JesseSeg84]

I have some elephant boots that look the same however my toe areas are starting to discolor. Would the pigmented honey polish help restore that color back into the toe portion?

[@straycat62]

@@JesseSeg84 most likely, yes

[@Cberk03]

Great job Kirby!

[@amadejpesko]

Beautiful boots. 👍

[@nathanlunday3692]

Incredible tutorial. Thank you.

[@user-cf4eb4is2d]

When applying renovator or cream polish to an irregular leather, I like to apply with a dauber then immediately after buff off the extra using a pig bristle brush. There’s a little waste left over in the dauber, but the even application is worth it.

[@kirbyallison]

Yeah, great suggestion! Essentially what we did in this tutorial.

[@josephgiuffria8230]

Thank you very much for this video. I have several pair of alligator boots that I need to give this attention to

[@kirbyallison]

We have a tutorial specifically on how to condition alligator! Check it out at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpLCpqlmiJilmdk

[@SouthernCoastalCookingTM]

Kirby Allison thank you so much I am replying from my main channel now. I will check that video out. BTW I really enjoy your other videos on fine clothing as well as cigars. I have been learning so much from them lately. If you ever need come cooking/BBQ advice come give my channel a look haha

[@nickytravis3499]

Such an unusual leather, thanks

[@TopStrikerMaverick]

I love the new intro

[@martinpeterhughes9165]

Great video Kirby , I have a pair of Cowboy boots that my parents brought me back from Tampa Florida in 1987 , and they are as good looking as what they were in 1987 . I just wish I could send you a photo of them .

[@martinpeterhughes9165]

I forgot to mention the make off the boot Kirby. The make off the boot is Durango

[@bigwagdog7967]

You are the only guy I've ever seen wear a super expensive suit and shine boots. Good job on shining the boots !!! Question do you have a video on exotic snakeskin western boot care ? I have a pair of Dan Post python skin western boots that I put conditioner on, but I would love to see your take on how to clean and care for snakeskin western boots. I would even send you mine to have you demonstrate on, if you'd like.

[@Avora227]

This should become a series. Next you should shine Lizard or hippopotamus leather.

[@mysigt_]

Ooh or human!

[@markalexander774]

I do not know if I am a fan of the texture of the elephant leather. It seems similar to bison leather. A bit too rugged looking for more formal leather goods and shoes for my taste. Maybe on a pair of work boots, but realistically this leather is way too expensive to be used for work boots.

[@joeJoe-pb3su]

Great video...Beautiful boots...I am going to get some.

[@dward5497]

I mean 4k shoe shining? Nice upgrade there Kirby and Team!

[@kirbyallison]

Can you tell a difference?!?

[@randymoran67]

I have some grey elephant boots they are vintage

[@wt460]

Kirby, I feel like a parent, but what are you thinking wearing a $5K suit to shine a freaking shoe. One slip, and your Charvet $600 shirt is dead, and another slip and you will have to trash your $5K suit to the Assistance League. Love the show, but their is absolutely no way in Hell I will do what you are doing today. Just crazy!!! Oh my God, now I see you playing in the black polish for the edges and heals. Now I really think you are insane... put an old shirt on and a pair of sweats!

[@krollic]

Such stains are treatable, but I'd definitely agree. not worth the risk lol

[@goodahl]

Sir, would you please post a video on how to care for stingray leather! Also, should one condition the inside of a cowboy/western boot?

[@straycat62]

I do once or twice when I get a new or pre-owned pair. Lotion, then let it dry over night and check leather feel. Then after maybe once every 2 years. I use Lexol as my main leather lotion. But any good quality lotion like Bick 4 or Saphire conditioner.

[@in4chandru]

Hey Kirby, is it ok to use Saphir Pommadier Cordovan cream polish on a Calf skin leather?

[@calebmalinowski7183]

It is definitely not recommend.

[@jasonsmith2490]

Is there a possibility someone can walk into the store and get a Boot service?

[@mrfunkybassist]

I saw a pair of anderson bean elephants at my local boot shop one day and i fell in love but my heart was soon broken because they were a size too wide. Falling in love with a pair of boots that doesnt fit will break ur heart pretty fast.

[@benjaminnunez2380]

thats sucks just found some ab in oklahoma my size snatch then up

[@mrfunkybassist]

@@benjaminnunez2380 worst part about the ones in my shop is that they were crazy discounted. The elephants were only $150 or so

[@benjaminnunez2380]

damm i payed 5 for mine

[@straycat62]

@@mrfunkybassist For $150- Use an insert or have them re-lasted. Thats crazy cheap for elephant.

[@mrfunkybassist]

@@straycat62 looking back, i probably should have purchased them since they were only slightly too wide but i didnt realize how good of a deal that was at the time. The only reason they were so cheap was because my local boot shop is an outlet for anderson bean’s “factory seconds” and they may have had a slight defect that didnt allow them out at full retail but i didnt see anything.

[@TheRingoKid]

Not hard to find in Texas I have 4 pairs of Elephant boots

[@christianhunger1584]

I just watched a video on shining a pair of elephant skin cowboy boots. I never have, nor will, own a pair of cowboy boots let alone made out of elephant skin. It’s time to sober up.

[@TheRingoKid]

🙄🙄🙄

[@machtschnell7452]

Does anyone else think Kirby is a tad overdressed for this task? Oh certainly never done suit and tie to polish my shoes. In fact I won't even wear a dress shirt unless it's old and discarded.

[@TopStrikerMaverick]

Omg 14 minutes ago, sup Kirby!

[@TheRacso2552]

You mean Rhodesia?

[@Iberian247]

Nice! I’ll be sending in my baby seal/bald eagle boots for a nice shine. JK

[@johnmcelwain5884]

Rather rare and unique. Please add Python and Shark at some point.

[@SCRAMBY18]

Definitely not rare, but maybe one day.

[@James40000]

Zimbabwe? Well that's put my mind at ease, because you know that Robert Mugabe would never sanction something unethical.

[@kirbyallison]

LOL... you do have a point...

[@vianouche1]

Forget the boots and smoke cigars man

[@AlexK-vy3tt]

I can suggest bast shoes: they do not need to be polished. But you need to go into the swamp once a week, and then dry it right on your feet. Thus, they become like a gore-tex®: they let air and sweat through, but do not let water through:D... Swamp water, by the way, is also a wonderful natural antiseptic. Humanity most often does not invent, but spies on Nature:D. And instead of cigars, hand-rolled cigarettes rolled from shag into an old newspaper will perfectly fit. But Mr. Allison is American, not Russian, so he is not an expert in these areas. And the majority of Russians have long forgotten how to weave and wear bast shoes correctly. And they prefer to twist hand-rolled ones from the right paper and from good tobacco, or cigars, or pipe like I personally smoke. Sincerely, Alexander Moscow, Russia

[@badrinarayaniyengar615]

Thanks Kirby - it brought tears to my ears thinking that this was really elephant skin. Hopefully it was procured the right way. Thx for the disclosure first!. I still would prefer you not work with these!