To sand the edges or not to sand

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

Ok, so I’ve noticed that a lot of people recommend sanding your edges down, presumably for a cleaner, more professional look. But most people seem either to not sand, or they don’t mention it. I’m thinking there has to be an obvious difference between the two, but does anyone have a side-by-side pic or such to point it out to me? I have experimented, but I’m not sure what I’m really looking for…

 

May you never burn your bacon,

AZR

[TomE]

Reasons to sand edges include leveling multiple layers, removing excess glue before finishing the edge, and smoothing the fibers as part of the burnishing process.  What are you trying to achieve?  I routinely sand to level an edge or remove glue, and I avoid it when burnishing.  If my regular burnishing methods don't produce a smooth enough edge then I'll sand and do more burnishing.  Depends on the tannage, moisture content, the part of the hide I'm working with, thickness, etc.     

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

At this particular project, I guess the sanding is to level 2 layers for burnishing? I did get a pretty decent burnish with it, but I don’t know if that’s from sanding the edges or because I’m finally becoming more competent. Anyway, thank you for the various reasons to sand.

When you do sand, is there a particular series of grits that you use? I feel like there’s a limit to how finely you can sand an edge before it’s pointless. I definitely saw results with up to 600g, but I don’t think I saw anything whatsoever with 800g/1000g.

[Dwight]

I've used 120 for 20+ years . . . never had one complaint

May God bless,

Dwight

[HandyDave]

Single edges get sanded to smooth up from cutting out with knife. Layered edges get sanded to level everything out for a better finish. With layered pieces I want the edges to look like one piece or as close as possible. As for grits. I keep a 80 grit on my bench top belt sander it helps to even things up on alot of the thick welted projects I do. And I keep a 120 on the disc. Then any beveling that needs doing and a final once over with 220 by hand. I actually like to very lighty damp the edges before the 220. This I what works for me. 

[Tommy217xxx]

I’m terrible at cutting so I have to sand or it looks pretty bad.

[JDFred]

I keep two of those rubber sanding blocks around one which 120 grit and the other with 220.  I use them to straighten out any wobbles I had cutting something out and to even up multiple layers after they’re glued together.  And I if things get really out of hand and I get a profile way wrong then I will use the belt sander.

[fredk]

I only sand down edges when absolutely necessary. I've only been doing it for the last five years or so, after I learnt on here that leather could be sanded. I use whatever grade is needed to do the job; a 60 or 80 to really remove and level a bad cut to 600 grade for just a tidy-up before slicking

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

I guess it’s a related question…

Will edge paint (such as EcoFlo Edge Flex) mask my mistakes, or will it make them more obvious? Never used an edge paint before.

I forget why I didn’t bevel the panels or gusset of the bag first, but I’m already ~75% assembled, and don’t feel like cutting the stitches loose. I’ll definitely be sanding, but if there’s a faster way to the finish line (besides do it right the first time), then I’m all ears. 
 

— AZR