Hi folks,
the time has come to reach out directly to the collective knowledge that is assembled here - just couldn't find a solution via search and Christmas is nearing meaning order have to be fulfilled! I am currently facing two types of material issues that I'd like to share with you: The edge of a finished edge splitting open [1] and the surface of leather belt straps wrinkling/cracking after dyeing [2].
[1] Edge splitting
Background: So I got this very fine veg tan hides for smaller leather goods - they come in .8mm, 1-1.3mm as well as 1.3-1.5mm thicknesses and dye really beautifully. The leather breaks in just like it should and it holds the dye nicely.
Issue: All is great but the edges. My standard routine for edges would be (all Fiebing's)
- saddle soap
- gum trag
- edge dye
with the help of a wooden burnisher on a post drill. On my other leathers this procedure works fine and gives a nicely finished edge than holds. With the mentioned veg tan it gets to what you can see below. When using compound bees wax I got the edge to become more solid to hard, which is "closed" but not as nice..
Any recommendations are highly appreciated!
[2] Belt wrinkles/cracks
Background: Got a veg tan hide some time ago which is around 3mm in thickness. Cut it in straps, made the brown belt you can see below and stored the rest until now. I dye using Fiebings Oil Dye and finish with Neatsfoot Oil as well as Carnauba Creme.
Issue: The undyed hide wrinkles when bending or rolling "against" the top-side. The dyed belt wrinkles and kind of pushes the skin and stays as seen below. When bending backwards e.g. stretching the top-side it can crack.
I tried to contact the leather retailer I got the hide from to ask if they had any issues with the lot I got my hide out of - only thing I received was an unfriendly email back asking what I wanted of them after a period x with no new orders.
Any ideas on how to make the leather softer or treat the surface? Also, ideas for probable causes?
Looking forward to your valued opinions,
taobao
