Flesh Side Finish?

[betabun]

Hi, can anyone tell me how to finish the flesh side to achieve the effect in this pic?

[ClaireAshton]

Hi, can anyone tell me how to finish the flesh side to achieve the effect in this pic?

I think you may need a bigger photo with a better resolution than this, I personally can't make out what this is.

[DavidL]

japanese leather crafter finish flesh side of objects w/ finishing past/flesh paste.

[ConradPark]

While most people tend to leave the flesh side alone, one of the most common traditional ways to burnish the flesh side is to use gum tragacanth. Just apply with fingers or a dauber until fully covered and slick with a flat object, preferable with a rectangular glass slicker (Tandy sells one among others). Now this might be just me, but I find that it's not always easy to get and even looking result. While it is quick and effective to keep the flesh side from raising up, I tend to only use this method when the flesh side is going to be hidden, like for card pockets. When its for a unlined piece where the flesh side is visible I learned a way that gives a far more even and professional look. It does not look as shiny as when done with gum tragacanth but more matt but I like it more that way and that is to use Fiebings Tan Kote. The trick is to use clean lint free cotton piece - apply the Tan Kote to the cotton piece and then drag the cotton piece over the flesh side of the leather in ONE direction only, when there is no more Tan Kote transferring over, re apply more to the cotton piece and continue to apply to the leather in the SAME direction. Be careful not to let the Tan Kote getting in touch with the front side! Let it dry for a few hours - preferably over night.

[DoubleC]

I never did anything to the flesh side until recently when I found out you were SUPPOSE to. I use resolene but I don't get a look like that. I just use it to waterproof it. Cheryl

[rawr66]

I use Tan Kote like Conrad. I like the smooth finish it gives rather than leaving it untouched.

[mlapaglia]

I use Gum Trag. I like the way it looks and lasts. All I do is apply the Gum-T then slick it down with a wooden dowel going in one direction. I mostly do this for holsters and then only on the part of the flesh that is visible. I do not do the backs of belts or straps.

[TXAG]

Bridle leather is "finished" on both sides. I have a bridle side from Wickett and Craig and it looks very nice on the flesh side...and the grain side too of course.

[betabun]

Thank you all for the information.

[TXAG]

I just read my previous answer and found it was incomplete.

Though the bridle leather I've gotten from WC looks great on both sides (dyed, smooth, etc.), the flesh side isn't quite as smooth and shiny as the grain side. Both sides look very well finished, but you can see a difference between the grain and flesh sides.

My previous answer sort of implied they'd look the same so I wanted to clarify that.

[VanDutch]

I just read my previous answer and found it was incomplete.

Though the bridle leather I've gotten from WC looks great on both sides (dyed, smooth, etc.), the flesh side isn't quite as smooth and shiny as the grain side. Both sides look very well finished, but you can see a difference between the grain and flesh sides.

My previous answer sort of implied they'd look the same so I wanted to clarify that.

The higher quality leathers such as the WC or the veg tanned leathers have a very finished flesh side. Tight grain. No need to do anything to it...

If the leather you are purchasing is very fleshy/rough the quality may be questionable.

I remember getting my first leather from Tandy... Was that furry on the flesh side you could have combed it...

[BDAZ]

I recently returned a side to Tandy that had a fuzzy pattern on the flesh side..totally unusable! I will generally give the flesh side a light sanding on the belt sander then spray 50% oil dye and spray wax to give a finished appearance for black or brown items.

Cya!

Bob

[SteelcityK9Cop]

Ya'll that Gum-T the insides of holsters.. do you ever get cracking issues?

[mlapaglia]

Ya'll that Gum-T the insides of holsters.. do you ever get cracking issues?

Never. My Son has one that has been used daily for the last two year and its still fine

[MerlB]

When the flesh side is visible I usually dye it the same way as the front. Then comes a thick layer of Traganth burnished with a folding tool. On am guards (mainly doing archery equipment) or other item, where the flesh side comes in direct contact with skin or clothing I also apply a layer of carnauba cream and leather sheen. This will prevent the dyed leather from bleeding color.