Wrist band

[freak]

I've made a few wristbands so far. I have never done anything to the edges or the back in fear of getting rubb off on my wrist or the person that's wearing them.

So i just finished making one for myself that i lined with doe skin. I used EDGE KOTE to finish out the edges and the backside of the strapes. The strapes are very stiff, so stiff that when i bent them to put on the wristband they cracked. KNow i don't mind, to me it looks , ummm, weathered like and i dig that look.

What caused this ? the rest of the band is just fine. So i figure it's the EDGE KOTE. How can i soften them up ? Should i just dye the strapes in full and the edge of the band and then seal it ??

Thanks

[pepin1948]

I've used black edge kote with the sponge tip applicator for years now and have never had such a thing happen...would like others to chime in with their thoughts too...

[Art]

Hi Holly,

I use Edge Kote (Fiebings and Weavers) on belts quite a bit. I apply with a cheap synthetic sponge as an applicator, in fact Fiebings makes an applicator/bottle combo that works just fine. I do however thin it down a bit with water allowing a thin application. Thick application will give the very smooth raised edge that will crack under heavy flexing. If you want the shiny look, apply thin one or two coats of Edge Kote and after it is dry use a wax finish like Bee Natural Leather Finish to bring up a shine.

Art

I've used black edge kote with the sponge tip applicator for years now and have never had such a thing happen...would like others to chime in with their thoughts too...

[Dan Hammons]

The only times that I've ever had a problem with leather cracking was once years ago and I put to much Neat-lac on a clutch purse and the other time was a checkbook that I had dyed black and the spirit dyes pulled all the oil from the leather making it stiff and hard.

Dan

[Indy]

I use Fiebing's edge dye finish with an applicator in black. A product, which I regret that I buyed it a little. I really like the mat, dark look it produces, which let the fibers of the leather shine through, but it rubbs of easily (especcialy when using it on belts). The application is also always tricky. It tends to bleed over and it's hard to dose. I tried a older kind of applicator in a course which worked a lot better. unfortunaly it's not purchasable any longer.

[Art]

After it dries, put beeswax or some water based finish over it. I have a hard felt wheel with a groove in it which I use to get the beeswax hot so it kind of melts in. So the steps:

Dampen the edges, this will lay the fibers down,

Apply Edge Kote,

Let Dry,

Apply Beeswax to edge and to wheel,

Buff till edge gets hot enough to melt the wax to smoothness.

Another method:

Dampen edge,

slick with denim or antler tip (I use elk antler tip, any smooth bone works),

apply gum tragacanth for natural finish, you can always slick some more,

or apply one of the one step finishes in the color you want.

Various and sundry combinations of the above seem to work also.

Also, leather and wood at slow speed (1800 rpm or less) seem to work for buffing the edge, stainless might work but I haven't tried it.

Art

I use Fiebing's edge dye finish with an applicator in black. A product, which I regret that I buyed it a little. I really like the mat, dark look it produces, which let the fibers of the leather shine through, but it rubbs of easily (especcialy when using it on belts). The application is also always tricky. It tends to bleed over and it's hard to dose. I tried a older kind of applicator in a course which worked a lot better. unfortunaly it's not purchasable any longer.

[Regis]

Art,

That's a great idea to put grove in felt wheel. I've found felt wheel works real good for me but, that grove will make things go a lot smoother.

Thanks,

Regis

[Art]

Hi Regis,

I forgot to mention that you would want wool felt, they have something called polyester felt (now that's an oxymoron) that will melt if you get it too hot, that is NOT a good thing.

Art

Art,

That's a great idea to put grove in felt wheel. I've found felt wheel works real good for me but, that grove will make things go a lot smoother.

Thanks,

Regis