Vanilla

Sorry to revive this thread... But: I got the paste and was sharpening my punch tool on both my sharpening stone and on a leather strop I made. I polished it until it was nice and shiny..nice black streaks all over the leather. While it seemed a little sharper at first, it really didn't last long. I didn't even really manage to get it through the leather adequately the one time I did manage to get it to cut through. After that it practically felt worse than before I even started sharpening, and the force of pounding was giving me a headache and undoubtedly pissing off the neighbours...so I ended up having to finish the initial indent by cutting it with my stanley knife - untidy compared to the proper thing. I'm not sure how long I really need to sit there and sharpen; getting the feeling I just don't have the right technique. I really wish there was a full length video to guide someone through the sharpening process. Seeing as I've been teaching myself to make collars, the lack of a decent strap punch bothers me. I have seen people make it without, but I personally don't like the look. Is there anyone out there (UK based) that would be willing to sharp for a reasonable fee?

Being able to use any weight of leather is GREAT to know! Already have some powerful glue, just need to find some scrap wood and get my hands on some polishing paste. Thank you once more for taking the time to reply; you are all so wonderfully helpful and lovely!

Thanks for all of the helpful replies, guys! I was checking out leather strops online and a lot of them seem slightly pricey for what they are, but I suppose it's an investment if I don't really have the appropriate leather. I only have 5-6oz vegetable tanned leather; I only purchased one roll while I was visiting PA earlier this year as I knew I wouldn't need a huge amount for making basic collars. I've been teaching myself with this piece of leather, using the resources I've managed to unearth on the internet. It's a little slow-going and although I'd love to purchase thicker leather, I just find it a little bit too pricey at the moment - being a recent uni graduate and part-time employee means it doesn't really fit the current budget! At least not on the Tandy website. Anyway, I was initially looking for 6-7oz as recommended by the dog collar pattern I found on Tandy's Leather Library, but they were sold out at the shop in PA, so had to settle for the 5-6oz at the time. In any case, would this type of leather be adequate for making a strop? I saw a few videos and all of the leather looks rather dark/thick, so I'm doubtful. This was the most suitable thing (I think) that I could find: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trend-Honing-Paste-Leather-Strop-DWS-HP-LS-/120996618571?pt=UK_BOI_Building_Materials_Supplies_Carpentry_Woodwork_ET&hash=item1c2bf5e14b + http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tormek-PA-70-Honing-Paste-T7-or-T3-/190614204884?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item2c617df1d4 Again, thank you for the help. Any further feedback would be fab!

Thanks for the reply, TwinOaks. I was working with the pull stroke on the flat side of the tool when using the sharpening stone, and only pushing when following the curve/outer side of the tool end, as instructed in the video. I used both the coarse and fine side of the stone, so I didn't realise I would need to refine it even further. I was getting those grey/black marks on the sharpening stone, so I hope that's some indication that I was doing it correctly? So, just to reinforce: I simply need to repeat this procedure on a strop with a finer grain until I get a nice shiny finish? Thanks again for the help - I really appreciate it!

Hi Trox, Thanks for the reply. When sharpening this type of tool do I use the strop in the same fashion as the sharpening stone? Thanks again!

Hello, Getting slightly exasperated with my strap punch as of late! I am attempting to sharpen my strap end punch (http://www.tandyleather.eu/en-gbp/3198-03.aspx) by following this video: using a Stanley sharpening stone/oil.Despite running it along the sharpening stone as directed by the video, I can't really seem to get a keen edge and I am failing to stamp through my leather. I have read somewhere that you require a heavy mallet to handle this tool properly, but I have been using Tandy's poly-head mallet as instructed by one of Tandy's shop assistants. I am by no means a seasoned leatherworker - I have only focused on making a handful of basic animal collars, and now my strap punch is failing me. Could someone tell me what I may be doing incorrectly? Or perhaps I need to sit and sharpen for ages? I'm at the point of asking any UK leatherworkers if they'd consider sharpening it for me for a reasonable fee! If the punches didn't cost the amount they do I'd simply get a new one! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hello there! I'm a total newbie when it comes to leatherwork. I intend to craft leather collars and leashes, and I took a trip to Tandy last weekend and was advised to use (and purchased) the following products: Fiebing's oil dye (black) Eco-Flo gum tragacanth (for the edges/flesh side) Eco-Flo Super Shene leather finish Dr. Jackson's hide rejuvenator Unfortunately, they did not have any 6-7oz leather (which was recommended for crafting such products) so I had to purchase the 4-5oz as an alternative. I am also fully equipped with wool daubers and soft cloths as I understand that these are required to apply the dye and finishes, and to buff the leather. My questions are: which order do I use these products in? How long do I leave them to set before applying the next product? When does the leather require buffing? I have tried researching other forums and understand that other people will use different products, so it makes it difficult for me to figure out which goes first; I am aiming to attempt my first piece today and would really appreciate any help in minimizing trial and error! P.S. I am aware some people dislike using the products listed above, but I am not located near any stores so it would be really appreciated if one could advise on how to use these products even if they may not be their preference! Thanks!!