Dubs Chops Report post Posted October 8, 2010 Hey All, this site is soo great. It is going to be my go to place to find inspirations for projects for sure. I have one question though that I couldn't find a clear answer to while I was googling. I am trying to start out making some leather cuffs for some people. I am trying to find out the cheapest and easiest way to burnish the edges. I don't have alot of money for any machines or power tools to do it right now so looking for manual options that include a little elbow grease and Very little money. Thanks again gang! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeeperaz Report post Posted October 8, 2010 looking for manual options that include a little elbow grease and Very little money. Thanks again gang! saliva/water and a small piece of denim or canvas? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azrider Report post Posted October 8, 2010 In the how to section, Bob Parks did a great article on edges. All of that applies to using elbow grease as well, it just takes a little longer. Canvas or denium works well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dubs Chops Report post Posted October 8, 2010 In the how to section, Bob Parks did a great article on edges. All of that applies to using elbow grease as well, it just takes a little longer. Canvas or denium works well. I guess I am really new.I forget to mention I don't even know the process to burnishing. Do I need some kind of wax or oil to apply to it also? and then just rub it franticly on some denim until smooth? I have searched as well and haven't found a good how to yet. Also I could not find the one posted above on this site either? anyone have the link handy? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner Report post Posted October 8, 2010 For a cheap hand rubbed finish, Bob Park's article is the best place to start. The most basic process is to bevel & round your edges then spit on a piece of denim (old jeans work great) and start rubbing. Make sure to keep a glass of water handy as you'll be spitting quite a bit. The rubbing isn't "frantically". Move the denim in smooth strokes along the leather edge. Watch your pressure on the edge...too much pressure and you'll roll the edge. Just put on a good movie and kick back while you burnish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dubs Chops Report post Posted October 8, 2010 Can someone point out his article to me? I have searched here and am not finding it. Sorry for the inconvenience Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted October 8, 2010 Click me! There's the burnishing tutorial. Burnishing is the process of smoothing the edge(s) of leather. Using heat (friction), moisture, and pressure you get the fibers to lay down smooth. I als use a cocobola burnisher I made, some folks use plastic. Dress the edges (make them even, pretty smooth, and round the corners) using sandpaper, a file, or something similar. Before I bought a belt sander, I used a Stanley Sureform, and it does the job. Once dressed, I use my little burnisher to do the grunt work and shape the edge. Then, I switch to some scrap denim for the last step. Read and try Bob's tutorial, it'll explain a lot of things. Since reading his work, I changed my method to the one he teaches....with substitutions where needed for tool availability, et al. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jinrui73 Report post Posted November 26, 2010 Spit and denim is what I'm using at the moment! It works really well, too, even on thumbs! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
