Gamekeeper Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Hi Folks, I have a question for the edge slickers out there. I make a lot of dog leads & collars & I am wondering what the best / most durable solution for slicking the edges. My current trusty dog lead has feathery edges. It is made from a strip of bridle butt & so far I've tried; 1. Soaking & slicking 2. Edge kote 3. gum trag 4. Heat!! Anyone got any tips for finishing my leads? Many thanks in advance Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Top right hand corner...use the search button......you'll find a bunch of threads regarding edges, but Mr. Bob Park's solution has just about the best recipe for your issue. Good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mijo Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Gamekeeper, I make dog harness and leashes and until recently I was also having issues with my edges "feathering" over time. I followed hidepounder's posted instructions on edge finishing, almost to the letter, and haven't had an issue since (it's been about two weeks and no sign of feathering on my test harness / leash). I've been using gum trag since I started but the additional steps of sanding and the use of parrifin has made a huge difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Hidepounder = Mr. Bob Park. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks for all the fast replies. I too have read the indicated post BUT the only stage I didn't do was the parrifin. Time to read over the thread again methinks. @Mijo, do you have any pics of finished leads? Many thanks Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mijo Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks for all the fast replies. I too have read the indicated post BUT the only stage I didn't do was the parrifin. Time to read over the thread again methinks. @Mijo, do you have any pics of finished leads? Many thanks Dave I'll post a picture of my working test lead, the one that I used hidepounder's techique, to this thread when I get back home as I'll need to change the file size in CS4. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted July 12, 2011 Many thanks, are the edges durable & long lasting? Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mijo Report post Posted July 13, 2011 the black latigo lead is finished with hidepounder's posted techique and has about two weeks of twice daily use. the pink bridle lead is finished without the benifit of sanding and the application pariffin, this lead has had several months of twice daily use. I had a black lead that was finished exactly like the pink lead and was as about as old, which has since been donated, but it looked worse than the pink. granted the pictured black lead only has two weeks of use, but it shows no sign of feathering. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted July 13, 2011 Thanks for the picture, I think I have worked out where I'm going wrong. Bevelling before sanding & no parrafin. Just out of interest, how thick in mm are those leads? I think I'll have a task ahead of me - I use 4.8mm thick leather, so I will need to set something up for a quick effect - maybe a drill in a vice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mijo Report post Posted July 14, 2011 the pink lead is 9-10oz and the black is 10-11oz, which i think is less than 4.8mm. i use a drill and vice set up to finish edges as it saves a lot of time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gamekeeper Report post Posted July 17, 2011 Thanks for the pics. Will need to get myself a jig & beveller setup. Cheers Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites