Burnishing Question

[johnggrg]

I have a quick question. I wanted to know when burnishing an edge. Why does some of the leather edge turn brown when burnished and other parts of the edge stays light in color after burnishing the leather? Thank you. John

[hidepounder]

John,

There are a couple of possibities. It may have to do with how you are burnishing or what you are burnishing with. For instance, if you are burnishing with a mechanical burnisher, you may be spending more time on one area than another without realizing it. Or it is possible that you have applied more gum trag or saddle soap (depending on what you use) on one area than another which could be affecting the finish. Most likely, however, it is probably just due to variations in the leather. No hide is consistent throughout and some parts will burnish more easily than others. Flanky leather will not burnish well, where leather taken closer to the back in the hide is more dense and burnishes nicely. It is easier for me to get a more even color on a mechanical system...I think because less elbow grease is required and I am willing to put more effort into making the edge consistant. For me, color is desireable. However if the edge is going to be dyed it may not be worth the effort to try to get a consistent color.

Hope this helps....

Bobby

[johnggrg]

John,

There are a couple of possibities. It may have to do with how you are burnishing or what you are burnishing with. For instance, if you are burnishing with a mechanical burnisher, you may be spending more time on one area than another without realizing it. Or it is possible that you have applied more gum trag or saddle soap (depending on what you use) on one area than another which could be affecting the finish. Most likely, however, it is probably just due to variations in the leather. No hide is consistent throughout and some parts will burnish more easily than others. Flanky leather will not burnish well, where leather taken closer to the back in the hide is more dense and burnishes nicely. It is easier for me to get a more even color on a mechanical system...I think because less elbow grease is required and I am willing to put more effort into making the edge consistant. For me, color is desireable. However if the edge is going to be dyed it may not be worth the effort to try to get a consistent color.

Hope this helps....

Bobby

Hidepounder thank you for the reply. I should have said I am using a hand burnisher from Tandy. And was burnishing the edge on a couple straps of 8-9 veg tan leather. I am only using water to wet the edge. It has come out fine this way except the color thing. It will be dyed so not that inportant but was wondering why this happens. I am working on a drop leg holster for a Nagant revolver I use with me hunting. I have taken pictures threw the setup and when done will post my first real project here.

Since I am getting close to dying it I need to know a couple things. First when I dye it should I wype the edge with the dye to? Not sure if I will be using the edge coat or not. Second when I am done dying it and buffing it out I can put the finish coat on then assemble it right? Also if I dye it should I use Neetsfoot oil on it before I put the finish coat on? Or is it not nessasary? Please let me know. Thank you. John

[particle]

I'd say you should dye the edges with your initial coat of dye. No sense in trying to avoid getting dye on them as it's harder to avoid them than to simply dye them.

If you haven't assembled the holster yet, you'll only want to burnish those edges that you won't have access to later on in the build process - like the edges of reinforcement pieces, etc. If you burnish everything prior to gluing and sewing, you'll just be wasting your time. Glue, then sand the edges flush and run around the edges with your edger tool, then sew the pieces together. You might find you'll need to sand a little again, but probably not so much if you're just hand sewing and not machine sewing.

Don't apply your finish coats until after you've sewn the project and burnished the edges - which can't be done until after it's sewn together as noted above.

Neetsfoot oil isn't a necessity (unless you warm the holster in the oven after forming), but you'll definitely want to apply the neetsfoot oil BEFORE you put your finish (sealer) coats on it, and only apply the neetsfoot to the outside / smooth / grain side of the leather. Just know that it will significantly darken the color of your holster.

[johnggrg]

I'd say you should dye the edges with your initial coat of dye. No sense in trying to avoid getting dye on them as it's harder to avoid them than to simply dye them.

If you haven't assembled the holster yet, you'll only want to burnish those edges that you won't have access to later on in the build process - like the edges of reinforcement pieces, etc. If you burnish everything prior to gluing and sewing, you'll just be wasting your time. Glue, then sand the edges flush and run around the edges with your edger tool, then sew the pieces together. You might find you'll need to sand a little again, but probably not so much if you're just hand sewing and not machine sewing.

Don't apply your finish coats until after you've sewn the project and burnished the edges - which can't be done until after it's sewn together as noted above.

Neetsfoot oil isn't a necessity (unless you warm the holster in the oven after forming), but you'll definitely want to apply the neetsfoot oil BEFORE you put your finish (sealer) coats on it, and only apply the neetsfoot to the outside / smooth / grain side of the leather. Just know that it will significantly darken the color of your holster.

Particle thank you for your reply. Ok the main body front piece and back piece. On these the only burnishing I have done is the edge of the opening on the front piece. The back piece is taller then the front and I burnished the top of that. The only edges I can't do is the outside edge on front and back until they are put together.

I'm going with a med brown. And it is the first time I have ever dyed anything so not use to it have any pointers on that?

Let me see if I have this right. First dye it and all parts then glue then sew then bevel edges I couldn't do before then sand then burnish then edge coat and then finish coat and done right?

As a top coat or finish coat is super sheen easy to use? I have some and thought that would be good for the finish but have never used it. Thanks for all the help I really do appreciate it. John

[particle]

John - your workflow sounds right. You didn't mention oiling it, but that can be done just prior to the first finish coat. I have never used Super Sheen, though I have used Satin Sheen, and was very pleased with the results. I always applied it with a damp sponge paint brush - brush it on liberally so it soaks in pretty well to the leather, and keep going back over the areas you already brushed so you can keep the whole holster wet until all surfaces are covered. If you have access to an airbrush, you might give that a try for applying your dye and finish. I was never very good at applying dye any other way - it always came out splotchy. For what it's worth, I have a how-to video on my website (see my signature below) that shows my basic workflow. It's an old video soon to be replaced, but it might be of some benefit to you.

-Eric

[johnggrg]

John - your workflow sounds right. You didn't mention oiling it, but that can be done just prior to the first finish coat. I have never used Super Sheen, though I have used Satin Sheen, and was very pleased with the results. I always applied it with a damp sponge paint brush - brush it on liberally so it soaks in pretty well to the leather, and keep going back over the areas you already brushed so you can keep the whole holster wet until all surfaces are covered. If you have access to an airbrush, you might give that a try for applying your dye and finish. I was never very good at applying dye any other way - it always came out splotchy. For what it's worth, I have a how-to video on my website (see my signature below) that shows my basic workflow. It's an old video soon to be replaced, but it might be of some benefit to you.

-Eric

Thanks for all the information Eric. I appreciate it. I did forget to add the oil in but I will remember to do it before finish coat. Hope to show it as soon as I can. Thanks again. John