What Is This Leather And How Do I Edge Ostrich Like This!?

[markush]

Hey OP

IT looks like shark to me as well. I just finished up a holster for my Glock 30 using black shark bought from SLC. It kind of had a rubbery hand to it - the elephant I picked up did not have that feel to it.

Side note - I am thinking of picking up a 2lb bag of the ostrich - how big and what quality were the pieces in the bag you picked up?

The bag I received was mostly made up of scraps with usable areas in the range of 2"x3" - 2"x4". There was also a handful, 4 or 5 pieces, with a usable area of about 4"x6" . Every piece was Cognac in color except for one piece that was brown. Oddly, that one brown piece had the largest usable area of about 6"x8". The rest of the bag was made up of the edge of the hide garbage. Hope this helps.

I did get some of the Dura Edge to try on this...I only used it on one piece and am going to give it another try before tossing it. I purposely didn't finish the edge as smoothly as I could have because it states that 'no burnishing, buffing, or other labor intensive process are needed with this' . Well it looks like an unfinished edge with a sticky tar like edge coating on it. If I have to finish the edge to the degree I think I do, I'll just end up using Edge Kote.

Edited September 15, 2011 by markush

[King's X]

Are you sanding or prepping the edge before you apply your dye & edge coat? I do.

[markush]

I did get some of the Dura Edge to try on this...I only used it on one piece and am going to give it another try before tossing it. I purposely didn't finish the edge as smoothly as I could have because it states that 'no burnishing, buffing, or other labor intensive process are needed with this' . Well it looks like an unfinished edge with a sticky tar like edge coating on it. If I have to finish the edge to the degree I think I do, I'll just end up using Edge Kote.

Are you sanding or prepping the edge before you apply your dye & edge coat? I do.

I am new to all of this so take my experiences for what they are worth. I left it "unfinished" which means i did a quick evening out on a belt sander at 320 grit. But like I said, I'll try it again with a better finish on my edge...but if I have to finish my edges to the Nth degree I will end up using Edge Kote instead.

[King's X]

On a lazy day, I will sand up to 600 grit. If I have the time, I will go up to 800 grits. I just went Walmart and purchased a multi pack of half sheets of sand paper in different grits. My drum sander out side is set at 150 grit, which I use to even out the edges and remove any glue residue.

Good luck.

[Leatherimages]

On the shark, which I think may be Tiger Shark by the looks of it, you should be able to get a kick a** edge. But don't skimp on sanding.

The Ostrich would need to be skived to a feather. Glued to a veg liner, it would not be a problem to get a nice edge also, but again, you're gonna need to sand it.

I can't imagine thinking you wouldn't need to sand.

I use my naumkeg orbital sander on my finisher, starting with 100 grit, then on to a worn out 120 grit. The I'll wet the edge with water, and begin with wet/dry paper that is 1200 grit, A huge jump, but it's really all about "elbow grease". Dye, sand. Fiebings Leather Finish, burnish with canvas. Two coats of edge coat, and it's good to go.

I'm interested to use the Dura Coat, but haven't had the chance to get some yet.

I did a batch of book marks for a neighbor using acrylic and was happy with the appearance, but wouldn't use it on a belt.

Keep your Trapezius mucsels relaxed.