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I have a question regarding the durability of heated edge paint on bridle leather. I'm making a bunch of dog collars out of mostly Wickett & Craig & Chahin bridle, some are made of Chahin Holster Strap Leather. I burnished most of them, but I'm not happy with the look of the burnished edges on some colours (i.e. Chestnut). I dyed the edges and its not the technique I'm not happy with, they are round and smooth and shiny. Its a personal preference. I have been experimenting with Vernis Edge paint using a cheaper version of the Regad Filiteuse on other projects, like bags and wallets. I really like the look of it. But I am wondering if it will hold up to the abuse a dog collar has to go through. The collars are going to be the first items I'm actually starting a business with and are going to be for sale in 2 stores. So obviously I want to stand behind my products and not get complaints about the edge paint peeling off... Any advice would be appreciated.. Thanks

Been a while since I posted any of my works.. Here is a wallet and keychain I've made for myself it was time to retire my prototype wallet made out of chestnut buttero. New wallet is EPI leather in navy color for the outside and inside is Alran sully in marine color. Stitching is black waxed linen thread at 3.38mm spacing done with French style pricking irons. Edges are sanded then burnished and sanded again with 3/4 coats or vernis edge paint in marine color. thanks for looking !!

So the title may be a little misleading.. This is actually my 5th wallet but this is the first time I’ve ever posted my work on the site. I got into the craft about 1 year ago and found this site shortly after and have been trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible. I absolutely love working with leather and I try to make things as often as possible. Which isn’t as often as I’d like seeing as how I’ve made roughly 5 wallets and 3 card Holders and a couple key chains since I started As for my wallet it is made out of 2oz lollipop red horween chromexcel that I scored when Rocky Mountain had there sale a while back. It’s stitched with carriage natural hemp thread from Tandy and edge painted with vernis burgundy color.. I used French style pricking irons from wuta 3.38mm or 8 spi. I’m really looking for some critiques to see where I can improve. I mean I can see the flaws but I’m curious how it looks to other makers ( my wife just says “ohh that’s pretty or nice” ) Sooo not much help in that department. Anyways I’m really excited to hear what you all have to say. Thanks for looking! Castle -

Hi everyone, This is my first post here on the forum, so I apologize if I didn’t put this in the right place. Sorry for the length, I just want to give all the info I can to get the best advice. Thanks in advance for your time! I recently picked up a side of matte-ish black Horween Essex for a custom tote order. The tote was made and shipped and I started using the rest of the side for a crossbody bag with an alligator flap. I checked in yesterday with the tote customer to make sure she was happy and she said she was, but she’d noticed that the color was rubbing off on her white pants. She didn’t have this problem with her first tote from me last year and I’ve never had this problem in the 3 years I’ve been working with Essex so I was surprised. Out of curiosity, I went over to the alligator and Essex bag that I just finished up and rubbed it with a scrap of light colored T-shirt and sure enough quite a bit of color came off. Obviously, I’m concerned that not only does a customer have a tote that’s leaving color on her clothes, but in the meantime I have just finished an expensive, fairly time consuming hand-stitched bag (my first using alligator) that’ll be rubbing on someone’s shoulder and hip. I can’t have it leaving big black marks on someone’s clothes. I wouldn’t even try and sell it if I know that’s a possibility. Now that the bag is done, what can I do to try and seal it? The edges are all painted with Vernis edge paint so I’m nervous about getting any kind of solvent on them and having that turn into a big mess. I tried buffing the whole bag with a soft cloth to remove excess color, but the color transfer hasn’t stopped. I thought about using Resolene, but I’m concerned about (a) being able to apply it consistently and not having it gum up since it’s all finished and 3-D and not an easy flat surface and (b) won’t it make the matte black really look shiny and plastic-y? I liked the way it looked before with the soft finish. It made the gray alligator flap pop. Lastly, does it work well on leathers with soft-medium tempers. I’ve used it on heavy veg tan work but not this kind of thing. I can’t afford to experiment with stuff that “might” work, because if it works on a flat scrap and not on the finished 3-D bag, the whole thing’s wasted. Is there any way to salvage it? I loved the way it turned out and would really appreciate any advice. I’d also like to be able to help the tote customer so she’s not stuck with a bag that ruins her clothes. She’s in a different state, so if you have a product in mind that she could buy separately and apply as a non leather worker that’s even better. Thanks again! -Hannah