2 layers & smooth edges

[esantoro]

RDB,

How are Zack White's wholesale prices? Would you say about 15 to 25 percent less than retail?

Ed

[esantoro]

The one called Reliable, i believe it's a Feibings product. It works real good for me...

I dye my edges, then burnish, if I'm not waxing the edge with beeswax, I use old Reliable...fills in the little dips and things quite nicely, two coats will fill in a pothole...lol then you burnish that stuff..shines up nice. It has wax in it.

I've not tried the Zack's stuff, but he has his on line of wholesale belts he uses it on, and that looks good too, but can't tell you from my experience, Next time I'm there I'll ask him for a small bottle to try.

I'd like to try some of this Reliable wax burnishing ink. Here's a link where you can get a good variety of browns and a black:

http://www.peasandcornco.com/shoeandleathe...inkwaxstain.asp

What is the consistency of the liquid that is applied. I'm only familiar with Edge Kote. Would you say it's thicker or thinner than Edge Kote?

Thanks,

Ed

[rdb]

It's thickerer...

Zack's is about 1/2 hr away from me. Considering that I began this work up again, and the fact that just about all the other suppliers on the East Coast are out of business or moved to the west coast, I thank my lucky stars the place exists. Anything that keeps them in business, makes my life easier.

I am amazed that they carry the varied product line that they do. It's just a metal building in a tiny little rural town.

I have a NC state tax #, so I get the business discount on everything. I save at least those percentages you are talking about.....

[esantoro]

The one called Reliable, i believe it's a Feibings product. It works real good for me...

I dye my edges, then burnish, if I'm not waxing the edge with beeswax, I use old Reliable...fills in the little dips and things quite nicely, two coats will fill in a pothole...lol then you burnish that stuff..shines up nice. It has wax in it.

I've not tried the Zack's stuff, but he has his on line of wholesale belts he uses it on, and that looks good too, but can't tell you from my experience, Next time I'm there I'll ask him for a small bottle to try.

Just finished burnishing Edge Kote with beeswax. I like it but am now wondering how well Reliable will work. Will the Reliable Wax do a good job of dying the edge as well as filling in cracks and burnishing?

Thanks,

ed

[esantoro]

RDB,

How is the selection of oiled chrome tan and bridle leather at Zack White's?

Ed

[rdb]

The bridle is excellent, both sides and double butts/bends. The butts have a classy factory finish, and burnish up nice, even take a stamp for edges pretty good.

The bridles sides I like a lot. I've managed some 8' reins out of them, and some nice belts for Big and Tall men.

Both feel like leather is supposed to, and considering the price compared to sedgewick, unbeatable for most applications. Last time I think it was in the $8 something range for me.

I haven't bought any chrome tan, but the other stuff I have bought, the picking through I did, wasn't too hard. He doesn't really mark the stuff on the shelf, so I can't tell the actual grading, but if it's tannery run, it's a good tannery. I bought a piece of 11oz skirting last week that worked up nice for some saddlebags I'm making.

All in all, so far, the stuff has been pretty good for me. I don't know about high end saddlework, but for us working stiffs it's better than I've bought elsewhere.

Like everywhere else don't go buying from a pallette that's running low. It's been picked through too well. Just ask him when new deliveries are due.

There have been times I've bought when his stock was low, I wasn't happy. But it forced me to pick through things, and I have found some gems, like the last full hide of horseleather he had left over from some run he bought that had been cooked up for Harley's motorcycle chaps, NICE hunk of leather. The best advice on this board so far is always CALL, don't just mail/internet order. The ladies are nice, and the kids are helpful, but TIM is the one who knows stuff.

I'm sure you can ask for samples, just like any good place. Within a week, I'll probably go up there, so if anyone wants me to check something specific, just PM me the numbers..be glad to do it for ya.

DON'T FORGET TO MENTION THIS FORUM! He's aware of us.....

RDB,

How is the selection of oiled chrome tan and bridle leather at Zack White's?

Ed

[esantoro]

Does anyone know what the difference is between Fiebing's Edge Kote and Edge Enamel? Is Edge Enamel better for chrome tanned edges, while Edge Kote is better on veg tan? One source said that Edge Enamel is less viscous, which allows the pigments to seep deeper into leather, which might be nice on chrome tan.

I think I'm going to see if I can buy a bit of Reliable burnishing wax ink from a shoe repair shop to see how well it works before I invest in a variety of colors.

Ed

[rdb]

okay here is a small comparison. In this picture, I have edge dyed one part with black oil dye , burnished it with beeswax, and a topcoat of leather balm. not bad...

On the other side, was ONE coat of Zacks (maybe LCI) ..bright and shiny, and would easily fill in with two coats. No burnish, no topcoat. Pretty good stuff.

[esantoro]

okay here is a small comparison. In this picture, I have edge dyed one part with black oil dye , burnished it with beeswax, and a topcoat of leather balm. not bad...

On the other side, was ONE coat of Zacks (maybe LCI) ..bright and shiny, and would easily fill in with two coats. No burnish, no topcoat. Pretty good stuff.

Thanks for this post. I like the beeswax burnish better. Now LCI has the Dyo Edge Finish which is more of a matte. How well will the black oil dye/beeswax/leatherbalm work with two or three stitched layers.

I'm very anxious to see how well the reliable works.

Ultimately at my disposal I would like to have these methods:

1. Burnishing Wax ink

2. Edge Kote and beeswax (I'll have to try leather balm on top of that.

3. LCI/DYO matte edge finish

Ed

[esantoro]

You need to skive the backer piece to a feather edge. glue the pieces down and sew.

Only just now did I understand this method. Brilliant.

Thanks.

Ed