immiketoo

Welcome.

I have noticed this as well. Things I wouldn't think twice about lifting, now require help or disassembly. I call it wisdom, though Daaaaaannng.

Lol...I came from Chicago where in winter 5% was considered high! Poor cat couldn’t walk without static discharges. I swear she would glow at night! Now, as mentioned above, it can be 100% and not rain here with the salt air and the basin I live in. Sometimes there are droplets if water hanging from the ceiling! I went from one extreme to the other. On the plus side, my wood handles and guitars are much happier. Down side is mold. Lots and lots of mold.

I’m using barge or the equivalent. The cobblers hammer sets the glue and fibers tightly together and makes edging easier. I agree about the time outlay on edge coat. As this was really my first time, the time expenditure is much higher than my traditional edge which took less than a minute or two total. Where I disagree is about the durability of the Italian edge paints. If applied properly, they are more durable in the field and will stand up to years if not decades of use. High end Italian bag makers have been using similar products for decades with great success. Perhaps you are referring to edge-kote? That stuff is truly horrendous, which is why I was a staunch traditional edge guy like you until recently. However, the real benefit is when using dissimilar leathers, say veg tan outer and chrome tan liner. Then you can have a nice finished edge where traditional methods wouldn’t work. Then again, I doubt I’ve made 40 of anything other than holsters, so there’s a decided gap in output between us.

We fight high humidity all year round on the island, but its way worse in the winter. We run a dehumidifier constantly from October to May. Probably pull 5 gallons a day.

Thats actually a good idea about the hair dryer. Might have to give that a try sometime.

I wouldn't use a sponge to add more moisture once you've started carving, as it tends to go too deep and spread the swivel knife cuts.

Mission accomplished!

Mr. Moosepaddles, I purchased a custom stamp for that center piece and I used antique for the dark color on both the stamp and the dots.

Oversized then trim is the only way to go. Nothing beats a freshly cut edge to make your burnishing process easier.

Looking forward to it!

Absolutely. The Fenice has been impervious to RTC and Tan Kote so far

That's odd. This stuff seems pretty impervious once its dry. Then again, I don't dip dye anything.

I always finish with Bee Natural RTC. Then I may apply Tan Kote for the luster.

I always put a finish on my edges, once they are complete. I usually apply it with the final coat of finish for whatever item I am building. Ive even put it over the edge paint with success. A lot of folks have said to use heat with the edge paint, but I don't see the need for it really. Then again, everyone has their own way of doing business

Practice on some practice hair areas too. And use soapy water to clean your brush.

I deserved that. Sorry.

I don't have a lot of experience with the edge paint, but I would guess it will be the more resilient of the two. Its stood up well in my destruction testing. I really like the look of the traditional edge, but the edge paint is growing on me. I just wish it wasn't so much work. Process: glue and hammer edge for good bond. Bevel with your choice of beveler. Edge coat companies say leave it square but I don't like that look. Apply coat one. Let it dry and then sand it smooth. You will see leather through the paint at this stage. Apply coat two. Let dry. Look for indentations and bumps. Sand smooth. Repeat until the surface is perfect and apply final coat. How many depends on your prep work but for me its no less than three, sometimes four depending on how aggressively I sand. You are correct.

you may have to work harder un the deep recesses, but several thick coats should make it come up fairly easy.

I figured as much. We also say "women of a certain age," but not all of them are cougars. Anyway, back to your cougar!

The great debate about how to finish edges lives on! I used to be a diehard traditional edge guy. Now I am not so sure. For discussion purposes, one has edge paint, one is normal. Which is which?

Speaking of edge paint

I can just imagine the squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky sound the make as you roll them

An inspiring story. As was once said in a movie, get busy living, or get busy dying. You have chosen to put your focus and energy into moving past the disease. This resonates with me because leather work changed my life. Forever. And, for the better. Keep on going strong and heal well!

I tried to find an appropriate photo that wouldn't completely derail this thread, and I couldn't, so I refrained