Edges Of Gator Skin

[rccolt45]

I am planning on triming my next holster project with some gator skin.

My question is this, after you glue and sew the skin on to your leather, do you bevel it and then burnish it just like you would a piece of cow hide?

I tride to edge a sample piece and it got a bevel but the edfer cut below the dye so that the gator skin is brown but the edges are nature. So do you just skip this step ?

[Leatherimages]

I don't change anything about the way I treat the edges of "gator when glued to say a holster.

I edge, sand (this makes a difference, especially if you sand down to using wet/sand paper 1200 grit or so),.

Then dye, (maybe wetsand again), followed by edge coat.

Resolene to taste.

BTW, have there been any reports on how the new harder? edge coat from Fiebings is holding up?

[Leatherimages]

I should amend that and say that sections of an alligator skin can be very thick and fleshy. That's ok, it's very tough.

However it makes for a poor edge. Without really thinning it at all, one can do a narrow skive, maybe about 1/4" wide and about half way through the tickness of a section like this, And then cement. you can also run a course paper over the back of 'gator to improve it's adhesion.

A glass edge is suggested for items done with alligator, as with all ones work, but especially when charging 'gator prices.

[rccolt45]

OK thats good information. Thanks so much

Rob

[bjbwt2]

I realize this is an old post but what are "glass edges"?

[Matt T]

I realize this is an old post but what are "glass edges"?

He is probably saying to burnish them until you can see your reflection.