How Does This Guy Get His Insane Edges?

[bigtree]

I know this is an often covered topic here, but how do you reckon this guy gets these edges so dark?

His site just says edged with beeswax, but I've never gotten my edges to look like that with just beeswax (or ever for that matter). If you look closely, his edges are that dark even on the single layer pieces that look to be only around 4 oz thick (which is tough to do since it gets floppy). My only guess is that he's got some edging machine like the Fantastic Edge Burnisher or the Weaver one but I've never used one or even really seen good pictures of what these machines do so I'm not sure. I feel like I've got the whole stitching part down fairly well and edge finishing is my next frontier to perfect. Thoughts?

His site, just for due credit:

http://barrettalley.com/devilish-wallet-natural-leather.html

[Ladykahu]

To be honest with you.. I think Hidepounders edges are better still.

Check out some of his gallery pictures and you will be blown away with the quality.

He also did a tutorial thats pinned above in this section that explains how he goes about it

Natalie

[leathercrafter]

I know this is an often covered topic here, but how do you reckon this guy gets these edges so dark?

His site just says edged with beeswax, but I've never gotten my edges to look like that with just beeswax (or ever for that matter). If you look closely, his edges are that dark even on the single layer pieces that look to be only around 4 oz thick (which is tough to do since it gets floppy). My only guess is that he's got some edging machine like the Fantastic Edge Burnisher or the Weaver one but I've never used one or even really seen good pictures of what these machines do so I'm not sure. I feel like I've got the whole stitching part down fairly well and edge finishing is my next frontier to perfect. Thoughts?

His site, just for due credit:

http://barrettalley.com/devilish-wallet-natural-leather.html

i agree bob's (hidepounder) edges are the best i have ever seen anywhere. bob explaines in great detail on his tuteriol on how to get that great looking edge that everbody is looking for, also bob is real good at explaining any questions you might have. just my opion john

[BearMan]

Good Morning Bigtree,

Bob Parks method for doing edges, is the absolute best thing going. The way he does it, doesn't require any fancy, or expensive tool. Bob has helped so many people create so much better edges,,, myself included. If you follow his instructions,,, you edges will look better than the ones pictured in your post.

Ed the"BearMan"

[TwinOaks]

I agree with everything posted above about Hidepounder's edges and tutorial. Frankly, the edges in those pics above aren't all that impressive. They are dark, but they were never evened out (sanding is a common way to do it). To get that level of darkening, you just need a little moisture, pressure, and friction.

Here's a pic of a belt and sheath I did using Bob Park's (aka Hidepounder) method, except I didn't dye the edge after slicking:

[MADMAX22]

Those edges in the pics you posted look to me like they used just bees wax, maybe very soft to put it on. Then they are burnished with something similar to the fantastic edge burnisher but it looks like they were done at to fast of a speed or to much pressure. It basically is the same look when you start burning the edges a bit. The bees wax does look like it soaked into the edges just a bit so it deffinetaly got pretty darn hot. Probably does this without wetting the edge much since it is thinner leather.

As stated above Bob Parks instructions are a great basis for great edges. You can modify them a bit to suit your needs and what not but they work wonderfully. I use to burnish all my edges by hand but have since gotten a drill press. With the drill press I bought one of those cocobo wood burnishers which helps a ton to speed things up. With the drill press you can also get a threaded chuck and put some layers of heavy felt inbetween some washers and you have basically the fantastic edge burnisher.

[bigtree]

I agree with everything posted above about Hidepounder's edges and tutorial. Frankly, the edges in those pics above aren't all that impressive. They are dark, but they were never evened out (sanding is a common way to do it). To get that level of darkening, you just need a little moisture, pressure, and friction.

Here's a pic of a belt and sheath I did using Bob Park's (aka Hidepounder) method, except I didn't dye the edge after slicking:

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I absolutely agree that hidepounder's edges are second to none and I've read over his tutorial a few times. His edges almost look too perfect for what I'm after I think, plus I (for no real reason) wasn't into the idea of dyeing my edges but twinoak's picture definitely proved that hidepounder's method looks great sans dye. I will most definitely try that. Any special tips? Did you simply omit the dye step?

Also, I always have problems when I wet edges with the edges getting too squishy/floppy and it mushrooms and widens the edges out, even with minimal moisture and not a lot of pressure. Anyone else encounter the same deal/have any suggestions? It's not that big of a deal if I end up beveling but there's times where I don't.

[bigtree]

Those edges in the pics you posted look to me like they used just bees wax, maybe very soft to put it on. Then they are burnished with something similar to the fantastic edge burnisher but it looks like they were done at to fast of a speed or to much pressure. It basically is the same look when you start burning the edges a bit. The bees wax does look like it soaked into the edges just a bit so it deffinetaly got pretty darn hot. Probably does this without wetting the edge much since it is thinner leather.

As stated above Bob Parks instructions are a great basis for great edges. You can modify them a bit to suit your needs and what not but they work wonderfully. I use to burnish all my edges by hand but have since gotten a drill press. With the drill press I bought one of those cocobo wood burnishers which helps a ton to speed things up. With the drill press you can also get a threaded chuck and put some layers of heavy felt inbetween some washers and you have basically the fantastic edge burnisher.

Are you saying to soften the wax by heating it a bit and then applying to the edges?

Those are great tips with the drill press. I've been meaning to get one in general...another big reason to get one now. What's the cocobo wood burnisher?

[MADMAX22]

Yeah you can soften the wax a touch to get it to stick a little better then burnish it really well.

I usually take the leather and dye the edges then when it is still damp from dying run it thru the cocobo burnisher, it should be nice and shiny after your done. You can also use a little water and saddle soap or what ever other combo you find works for you. Once that is done I usually put some wax on it then burnish it with a piece of canvas that gets nice and warm and makes the wax soak into the leather. Another thing I find that works just as good instead of the standard wax I use either sno seal, or a bees wax/paraffin wax/ neatsfoot oil mix that has the consistancy of room temp butter. Rub a little of that on there then burnish.

I picked up a drill press, its a cheaper craftsman one that has the belt adjust speed so you can use it to burnish at around 1100-1700 rpm and if I need to use it as a drill I can also do that.

Here is a link to the burnishers I got. I think he is a member here if I recall correctly. http://www.leatherburnishers.com/

Forgot to add I picked up one for my dremel and I also got the holster makers special for the drill. It works very well.

[Spinner]

Here is a link to the burnishers I got. I think he is a member here if I recall correctly. http://www.leatherburnishers.com/

And I hear he's a pretty cool & good looking guy too...

[MADMAX22]

HAHA thats not what I heard .

Yeah the burnishers I picked up off ya are working out great. Sure cuts down on the time to get a nice edge.

Thing with forum names is remembering whos who can be a real pain lol.

[Sixer]

Spinner,

Those burnishers look great! Order submitted.

[bigtree]

Spinner,

Those burnishers look great! Order submitted.

Wow yeah those are great! I've got a dremel and have been thinking about making something like that for it but have been procrastinating. Def a reasonable price so I'll just pick one of those up instead. Good stuff, thanks!

[Spinner]

HAHA thats not what I heard .

Yeah the burnishers I picked up off ya are working out great. Sure cuts down on the time to get a nice edge.

Thing with forum names is remembering whos who can be a real pain lol.

LOL! yeah, the forum name thing cane be a pain. I was thinking of updating it to Three Mutts (my leather site name) but folks still wouldn't connect it to the burnishers so figured just leave it as is...

Spinner, Those burnishers look great! Order submitted.

Just got it a bit ago Sixer, I should have it in the mail by Thursday morning (have a bib wet forming in the shop today so I can't create a bunch of cocobolo dust tonight - dirty red bib isn't what they ordered! haha!

Wow yeah those are great! I've got a dremel and have been thinking about making something like that for it but have been procrastinating. Def a reasonable price so I'll just pick one of those up instead. Good stuff, thanks!

Good deal bigtree, I'll keep an eye out for it. I usually have them in the mail within a day or two.

[TwinOaks]

I use 'mostly' Hidepounder's method......

Glue, sand, edge, (I sprayed the edges at the same time I did the rest of the belt) and slick with Gum Trag and a burnishing stick I made (yeah, I'm still working on getting a rotary one!), then burnish with a piece of denim, lightly coated with yellow saddle soap (which REALLY convinces me I need a powered burnisher) until it gleams. Then apply a topcoat to seal it.

At times when I want that dyed edge, I roll it on with a q-tip then reburnish with the denim. Repeat if needed to get the edge right.

[bigtree]

LOL! yeah, the forum name thing cane be a pain. I was thinking of updating it to Three Mutts (my leather site name) but folks still wouldn't connect it to the burnishers so figured just leave it as is...

Just got it a bit ago Sixer, I should have it in the mail by Thursday morning (have a bib wet forming in the shop today so I can't create a bunch of cocobolo dust tonight - dirty red bib isn't what they ordered! haha!

Good deal bigtree, I'll keep an eye out for it. I usually have them in the mail within a day or two.

Spinner, just got me order in. I'm leaving town on Tuesday and would LOVE to get my hands on those before I leave. Thanks!

[Spinner]

Spinner, just got me order in. I'm leaving town on Tuesday and would LOVE to get my hands on those before I leave. Thanks!

Hey bigtree,

I got the order, I'll add it to the list for tomorrow night with Sixer's and have it in the mail Thursday morning.

Based on your location I would expect them to arrive by Saturday.

[bigtree]

Hey bigtree,

I got the order, I'll add it to the list for tomorrow night with Sixer's and have it in the mail Thursday morning.

Based on your location I would expect them to arrive by Saturday.

Spinner, got 'em. Great stuff, I'm really excited about them. Being the maker or them and all, do you have any special tips/advice/ways you do things with them?

[Spinner]

Spinner, got 'em. Great stuff, I'm really excited about them. Being the maker or them and all, do you have any special tips/advice/ways you do things with them?

Actually, I subscribe to Bob Park's method pretty closely. Use an edger to knock off the corners, sand the edges to a good rounded profile (220 works well) and then slick down the fibers using a light application of saddle soap & water. rub it in with your finger until the fibers lay down. You don't want a damp edge, just slightly moist and slicked down. Once you have that, run the burnisher over the edge using light pressure and mid-range speed (about 15-17k rpm on most dremels or 1100 rpm on drill presses) and work in a steady motion. Don't stay in one spot too long or it could burn the leather (you'll actually see smoke if you stay in one spot too long). If you get around the whole piece and a spot or section needs a touch up, simply reapply the saddle soap & water lightly over the edge and reburnish. The saddle soap & water mixture acts as a slicking agent and friction heat reducer.

Once everything looks nicely rounded and smoothed, dye the edge (if you haven't already) and let dry. Once the dye is dry, apply your favorite top coat - I like Pecard's leather dressing, and polish the edge with a bit of demin or canvas. You can follow this up with a quick polish (no compound) with a diaper cloth.

[bigtree]

Actually, I subscribe to Bob Park's method pretty closely. Use an edger to knock off the corners, sand the edges to a good rounded profile (220 works well) and then slick down the fibers using a light application of saddle soap & water. rub it in with your finger until the fibers lay down. You don't want a damp edge, just slightly moist and slicked down. Once you have that, run the burnisher over the edge using light pressure and mid-range speed (about 15-17k rpm on most dremels or 1100 rpm on drill presses) and work in a steady motion. Don't stay in one spot too long or it could burn the leather (you'll actually see smoke if you stay in one spot too long). If you get around the whole piece and a spot or section needs a touch up, simply reapply the saddle soap & water lightly over the edge and reburnish. The saddle soap & water mixture acts as a slicking agent and friction heat reducer.

Once everything looks nicely rounded and smoothed, dye the edge (if you haven't already) and let dry. Once the dye is dry, apply your favorite top coat - I like Pecard's leather dressing, and polish the edge with a bit of demin or canvas. You can follow this up with a quick polish (no compound) with a diaper cloth.

Perfect, thanks a lot man!

[antleygd]

I know this is an often covered topic here, but how do you reckon this guy gets these edges so dark?

His site just says edged with beeswax, but I've never gotten my edges to look like that with just beeswax (or ever for that matter). If you look closely, his edges are that dark even on the single layer pieces that look to be only around 4 oz thick (which is tough to do since it gets floppy). My only guess is that he's got some edging machine like the Fantastic Edge Burnisher or the Weaver one but I've never used one or even really seen good pictures of what these machines do so I'm not sure. I feel like I've got the whole stitching part down fairly well and edge finishing is my next frontier to perfect. Thoughts?

His site, just for due credit:

http://barrettalley....al-leather.html

Recon it is the speed of the burnishing tool? Not necessary the amount of pressure but the speed of the tool could build up heat and cause a searing action. I am sure he is using some kind of wax. I would reason it would heat up and brown.... But keep in mind, I dont really know here. I am new to the edgeing process.....

[Bevan]

And I hear he's a pretty cool & good looking guy too...

Excerllent bit of craftmanship spinner !!

This guy is a Ledge !!! that is a small utilety shelve where I come from !!!! but i believe is not as good looking as one !!!

I think he is !!!

Mate

Edited June 7, 2011 by Bevan