Tokonole edge not working as hoped

[Yukonrookie]

Hi there,

after being out of commission for a while, I’m finally able to get back to do a bit of leatherwork again. 
So I made a belt and am not quite satisfied with the edges. You see I tried some Tokonole (Tokopro) this time, since I read it may hold up better to abuse. Anyway, while it looks good, there are a few spots that feel like some fibres may be sticking out still. I think when I applied the first layer of tokopro I didn’t get it in deep enough and got the fibres down properly. I really thought I did since I kept checking as I kept sanding finer and reapplying Tokonole. I must not have properly “massaged” it into the edge well enough.

Anyhow, I’m worried that if I sand it all the way down again and start over I will also sand some of the dye away and, since there will still be remnants of Tokopro in there, won’t be able to reapply dye. I applied the Tokonole a bunch of times as I kept sanding finer. 

Any suggestions on what best to do here?

 

Up until now I used glycerin and saddle soap and it worked well for me. I just wanted to give this tokopro/tokonole stuff a try since I read that it holds up better to abuse. Plus for projects where I want that really shiny edge this stuff seems to work well, I guess. Looks super shiny anyways.

Thanks in advance.

[PastorBob]

I used Gum Tragacanth for the longest time and ran across the tokonole and continue to use it.  I typically sand the edges of the leather, bevel the edge, dye to suit, then apply the tokonole to the edge by dabbing it on with my finger or small squeeze bottle.  I then burnish with wood slicker, then follow by a quick rub with a small piece of canvas material.

[rleather]

[Yukonrookie]

Thanks @PastorBob and @rleather. That’s how I’ve been doing it as well. I sanded and beveled, applied Tokopro and burnished with wood followed by canvas. I actually kept progressively sanding and reapplying up to 2k grit. Excessive but nice and shiny. Anyway, I must’ve done something wrong though. Can’t remember explain otherwise why it feels like fibres are still sticking out in the odd spot.

Anyway, thanks again! 

[PastorBob]

23 hours ago, Yukonrookie said:

Thanks @PastorBob and @rleather. That’s how I’ve been doing it as well. I sanded and beveled, applied Tokopro and burnished with wood followed by canvas. I actually kept progressively sanding and reapplying up to 2k grit. Excessive but nice and shiny. Anyway, I must’ve done something wrong though. Can’t remember explain otherwise why it feels like fibres are still sticking out in the odd spot.

Anyway, thanks again! 

Your first post made it seem like you would apply tokonole, then sand, then apply again, then sand.  I only sand / bevel one time.

[PastorBob]

Here is a project I recently worked on.  Some of the edges I burnished both sides of the leather.  When I just use the canvas, I am only burnishing the top edge, since it will be stitched to another piece of leather later.

 

[Chipster99]

Stick with the original Tokonole. Toko Pro is NOT the same. Several years ago I ordered some Tokonole from Springfield and they were out of stock so they substituted Toko Pro (without asking me). I didn’t want to go through the hassle of returning it so I kept it. I used it for a while because that’s what I had. Then I bought a jar of the real stuff from Maker’s Leather Supply at the IFoLG show in TX and…wow. Major difference. I love Springfield Leather but I don’t order Tokonole from them anymore. 

[SUP]

I got Tokopro from Amazon Vine and tried it. It seemed to work better on chrome tanned leather. On veg tanned leather, Tokonole always seems to give better results. Even diluted, Tokonole works better on veg tanned leather although Tokopro, in appearance and touch, seems to be a diluted form of Tokonole. Same ingredients, different proportions maybe.

 

[Yukonrookie]

On 4/16/2025 at 2:20 PM, PastorBob said:

Here is a project I recently worked on.  Some of the edges I burnished both sides of the leather.  When I just use the canvas, I am only burnishing the top edge, since it will be stitched to another piece of leather later.

Thank you very much for that video and all your tips. It’s a big help and greatly appreciated! It also sounds like Tokopro isn’t the same as Tokonole. 

[Yukonrookie]

Thanks for your input @Chipster99 and @SUP. I appreciate it a lot. It’s a great help.

I was told it’s the “new” Tokonole. It sounds like I was misinformed. Makes sense now. Maybe I’ll stick to glycerin soap and yellow saddle soap for now. Until I can get some real Tokonole. So much work for nothing. Good thing I enjoy doing this stuff. Unfortunately I can only do a little at a time lately. Anyway, I guess I’ll sand it down as good as possible and start over with the glycerin and saddle soap. What do you think?

[Yukonrookie]

@PastorBob I forgot to add that I’m thinking of sanding it down again and start over with my previous method of glycerin and saddle soap. It actually turns out alright. The only reason I switched was cause I was to and read that Tokonole would stand up to abuse better. What do you think? Thanks again. 

[BlackDragon]

I switched to a product called Martin's Mix.

It works really well using a refillable felt tip marker. Just let it sit for a minute and it's good to go.

[Yukonrookie]

12 minutes ago, BlackDragon said:

I switched to a product called Martin's Mix

That’s great to know. Thank you. I’ll check it out.

[SUP]

The thing is, Tokonole is available again! I like it and use it all the time.

[PastorBob]

On 4/17/2025 at 11:37 AM, Yukonrookie said:

@PastorBob I forgot to add that I’m thinking of sanding it down again and start over with my previous method of glycerin and saddle soap. It actually turns out alright. The only reason I switched was cause I was to and read that Tokonole would stand up to abuse better. What do you think? Thanks again. 

Whichever works best for you.  I switched from GC to Tokonole and won't go back.  Sometimes I just use water or dye then slick it.  Depends on the project.

[Yukonrookie]

On 4/17/2025 at 8:02 PM, SUP said:

The thing is, Tokonole is available again

Yup, I’ll place an order right away. Thank you! Happy Easter!

Edited April 20 by Yukonrookie

[Yukonrookie]

17 hours ago, PastorBob said:

Whichever works best for you.  I switched from GC to Tokonole and won't go back

Good to know. I’ll be placing an order for some right away. When I bought the Tokopro I was told Tokonole wasn’t available anymore and the it was the same thing. I now know I was wrongly informed. Thanks again for your help. Oh and happy Easter!

[PastorBob]

2 hours ago, Yukonrookie said:

Thanks again for your help. Oh and happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you as well!  He is RISEN!

[Helenn]

It sounds like you're close to achieving the finish you want. If some fibers are still sticking out, consider lightly dampening the edges with water and gently sanding with high-grit sandpaper. This should minimize dye removal. Reapply Tokonole and firmly burnish with a smooth tool to compress the fibers more effectively. If Tokonole remains problematic, you might revisit the glycerin and saddle soap method you're comfortable with, then finish with a thin Tokonole layer for extra shine. Practicing on a small test piece can help refine your technique without risking further damage to the belt. Good luck!

[Yukonrookie]

Thank you very much for the advice @Helenn. Did you use Tokopro by chance? I’ll be ordering some Tokonole but it’ll take a little while until I have it here. I use micro mesh pads, for the fine stuff, to get that shine. I’ll try using them wet now.  Anyway, thanks again for your help. Much appreciated.