Gum Tragacanth - What it is and how to use it.

[UKRay]

Like many people on this forum I like trying new ideas and products but I sometimes feel that I haven't got the best from some of the older older stuff. Gum Trag is a good example. In recent years I have started to use it for slicking veg tan belt edges, just like many other people but, frankly, it doesn't seem appreciably better than plain old water.

Before I get the lecture about hard work being the only way to burnish an edge, I ought to say I worked as a harness maker for years and firmly believe that a well-burnished edge should involve sweat - if not blood and tears. So why am I using this stuff? - Because the guy in the shop said I should - that's why!

Has anyone got a better reason? Can you please share your ways of using Gum Trag so I can be sure I'm doing it right? Hey, we might find some new ways to use it and I can stop feeling like I'm wasting my money every time I buy another bottle.

To start the ball rolling here is a link to the Wikipedia definition just so we are all on the same page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gum_tragacanth

Are they serious? Cake decorating? Medicine? Artist's materials? There may be more to this than you think...

[Roger]

i use it for slicking edges and smoothing rough backs on straps etc.

[$$hobby]

i think the stuff comes from a plant only found in Afghanistan.

I use to use spit/water to slick the edge, but i think the gum stuff works a tad better. to me if you cant get it, then water will probably do fine. im have a gallon jug of the stuff and so i dont mind using it.

i think that if water works for you, then go for it. who says there is only one way to solve a problem?

i use the gum by applying with a wool dauber, making sure i dont over do it and get it dripping over the edge. i then use a (clean) old sock to buff it. i think it takes less sweat then those plastic buffing tools (which i also have and used).

[bruce johnson]

I am not particularly crazy about gum trag. It does ok, but for me was always a mess to apply and get it slicked before it was too dry. I kind of like it for edges with a veg-tan and chrome tan mixed.

I hit a decent way to apply it a couple years ago. I got one of those Weaver dye box things meant for holding dye for edges, one of the trades where niether one of us got anything really great. In my hands a total messy, ill-designed, too deep in the well, piece of fecal material (* credit to Greg G for the term) for dyeing edges. However when filled with Gum T it lays down the right amount, easily, evenly, and quickly. Cleanup is a breeze because I don't. I snap the cover back on, and add more as needed to keep it up to the roller level. I like the dye Box and Gun T a little better now, but still not my go-to first choice for most things.

[TwinOaks]

Seems like I read something about saliva working well because of enzymes in it. My thinking is that gum trag. might just be thinned down, plant based, artificial spit. The reason to use it instead of water is that it gums up a little better, giving more friction, which leads to better burnishing.

Somebody else (Art S?...rdb, maybe) mentioned using beeswax. I used that last night on a toolpouch. I'm impressed by it, and will be using it again.

Edited August 8, 2008 by TwinOaks

[Jordan]

LOL, here's a lovely vision, a plant somewhere in Afghanistan where a bunch of old men with runny noses are filling all those little bottles for shipment throughout the world. Seriously though, gum trag is one of many things that can be used to slick the edges of a leather item. I have had pretty good results with plain H20 and a drill mounted wooden spool, beezwax, saliva, edge-kote etc. comes to mind. It's up to the artist as to what works the best for them I guess. Finished edges definetly give an item that finished look.

[UKRay]

Roger made a good point when he said it can be used to smooth the rough backs on straps - I guess that means you can stick the fibres down with it. I couple of weeks ago I was working on a really 'hairy' chunk of belly leather and would have found that tip very useful (I wish I'd thought to try it!). Does anyone else use it on the back of leather? Do you just paint the stuff on with a wool dauber or use a brush or what?

[Roger]

Roger made a good point when he said it can be used to smooth the rough backs on straps - I guess that means you can stick the fibres down with it. I couple of weeks ago I was working on a really 'hairy' chunk of belly leather and would have found that tip very useful (I wish I'd thought to try it!). Does anyone else use it on the back of leather? Do you just paint the stuff on with a wool dauber or use a brush or what?

i just use my fingers to apply it and lay the fibers over.

[Art]

Hi Jordan,

I don't think it is Gum Trag they are extracting from those plants.

I've used it to smooth the insides of holsters and sheaths that aren't doubled. It is also a natural top coat. I don't know if they use Gum Trag, but you can get leather "Moss Back" from HO and "Gum Back" from W/C. Seems like they always do a better job than I do.

Art

LOL, here's a lovely vision, a plant somewhere in Afghanistan where a bunch of old men with runny noses are filling all those little bottles for shipment throughout the world.

[ChuckBurrows]

With respect - if you're using Gum Trag like water for burnishing the edges there is a better way - it took me a while to figure that out..

Gum trag is a naturally occurring mucilage aka vegetable glue which comes from a plant grown in several places in the mideast not just Afghanistan.

The way I found best to use it is to apply a coat or two and LET IT DRY between coats. Smooth the edges with 600-800 grit wet or dry sandpaper while dry (finer grit papers such as 800+ are available at most auto parts stores). Apply another coat or two (how many coats depends on how "porous" the edge is), again letting them dry in between. Sand again and this time use a bit of the gum trag on the paper. Once dry burnish with a rub stick or coarse cloth. Repeat as needed. Maybe sounds like a lot of work but it isn't really.

The advantage is the gum trag will "glue" the fibers together unlike water and with the often looser fibered leathers we often get today this can be a great aid.

Once dry I apply a seal coat and or wax.

If dying the leather do this all after dying - hope this helps........