Gum Trag Is Evil

[bkingery]

Hey all, I have read and read again about gum trag being one of the BEST things for edges and how it takes dye so well but this is FAR from my experience. I usually use some glycerin or even some of my casing solution for doing my edges but I bought some gum trag and tried it and I cant get my USMC black to color it more than half way and if you get any on the front by accident the dye works even less than that . I read that it is NOT a resist so WTH . Ok its not edge dye but its what I have and I can't just keep spending money for **** that won't work. If someone can please help me it would be GREATLY appreciated. Am I doing stuff in the wrong order should I dye first and then trag or should I just throw the trag away and keep doing it the way I was.

Peace

Bryan

[marine mp]

I just follow what Chuck Burrows says in his tutorial and they come out similiar to what he says it will do. Notice, I say "similiar"!!!!!! I don't believe anyone can match his technique!! I don't use GT on any edges. Dampen, trim edges, burnish to Chuckes direction, dye then finish w/ resolene. Semper-fi Mike

[dirtclod]

The only thing i use Gum Tac. for is burnishing edges on black USMC dye. It just won't burnish for me like regular black dye.

For all the rest of the edges i take a sponge and dampen the edges and rub with a piece of antler then a piece of ceral or cracker box non printed side and i get a nice burnish.

[marine mp]

On my above post I credited Chuck Barrows with the "Edging Tutorial". I apologize and stand corrected. It is Bob Parks (Hidepounder) tutorial that I was referenceing. Again, I apologize. Semper-fi Mike

Edited February 1, 2011 by marine mp

[Art]

Dye first then burnish, you can use the gum trag to lay down the fibers right before burnishing; you can paint the edges as a final step if that is what you need, but you don't have to. Gum Trag is also good to paste finish the flesh side of the leather, or even as a top coat.

Art

Hey all, I have read and read again about gum trag being one of the BEST things for edges and how it takes dye so well but this is FAR from my experience. I usually use some glycerin or even some of my casing solution for doing my edges but I bought some gum trag and tried it and I cant get my USMC black to color it more than half way and if you get any on the front by accident the dye works even less than that . I read that it is NOT a resist so WTH . Ok its not edge dye but its what I have and I can't just keep spending money for **** that won't work. If someone can please help me it would be GREATLY appreciated. Am I doing stuff in the wrong order should I dye first and then trag or should I just throw the trag away and keep doing it the way I was.

Peace

Bryan

[Ellen]

I'm using Gum Trag all the time, following Chuck Burrows recommendations. It gives a dark glossy edge for light shades of brown, unimpressive on black (black F's Pro-Oil in my case). Why use it at all: it keeps fibers down better that just dampening leather, and theoretically it wouldn't soften in hot weather. Moisture protection, IMHE, is next to none, have to use Resolene as a finish over it.

Procedure: dye item, trim and sand edges, dye edges, let them dry, remove excess of dye, apply Gum Tragacanth by sponge, brush or anything else. Not too much, but after a minute surface shouldn't be dry. Smooth and press fibers in the direction of sanding few times, then burnish as usual. Moisture content during burnishing is critical: too much and shape will be distorted, too little - and there will be a ragged, cracked edge. Adding more Gum T in a process to keep edge damp is always possible.

Comparing to wax or wax-paraffine mix, it's much easier to hand burnish. In the right moment, when moisture is just right, few passes with firm pressure will produce the required clicking sound and result glass-like appearance. If the leather is firm, not mushy.

I hate to wreck this appearance by applying Resolene, but wouldn't risk to leave it unfinished. 75% Resolene, brushed on, is better (more even) than full strength.

The finishing abilities of any finish I prefer to check by myself, finishing a scrap of leather, letting it dry overnight, and dropping some water over it.

[jasonsmith]

I'm using Gum Trag all the time, following Chuck Burrows recommendations. It gives a dark glossy edge for light shades of brown, unimpressive on black (black F's Pro-Oil in my case). Why use it at all: it keeps fibers down better that just dampening leather, and theoretically it wouldn't soften in hot weather. Moisture protection, IMHE, is next to none, have to use Resolene as a finish over it.

Just curious what you mean by "unimpressive"? I use Fiebings pro oil black as my dye. And was looking to use the Gum Trag for the edges. And maybe the flesh side.

I plan on leaving my edges like they are when I cut the leather, which is square. Anyone know if you can use the Gum Trag and rub it on the edges with your finger without burnishing? As I'd like the idea of using something to keep the fibers down and from fraying at the edge, but not sure if I want a smooth shiny burnshed edge as well.