Need A Little Help... Shark Skin

[Sixer]

It's my first time using shark and second attempt on this belt.

The belt is two layers of 6/7 oz veg tan and will have a layer of shark skin on the outside.

My biggest issue is the belt edges. Once I glue and trim the shark, I'm having a tough time getting figuring out how to get the best edge on the belt. If I take an edger to the belt, the shark skin tends to bunch up and result in a chewed up looking run of shark.

I guess I'm just looking for some advice on how to go about making a shark skin belt. This stuff isn't cheap and I don't really feel like wasting more of it this week

I appreciate any tips or advice!

Cheers,

Eric

[JRCHolsters]

Here is what I do, YMMV. I rub a very tiny amount of superglue into the edges of all the exotics I work with. Then after it is dry and hard, I sand it down. Everything blends together beautifully! I use superglue on the edges of exotics, that don't come all the way to the outside edge. This gives it a very nice edge appearance. Hope this helps you out.

[mikesmith648]

I thought there woulld finally be a decent use for super glue!! Thanks for the tip.

[Shooter McGavin]

belt sander at a 30-ish degree angle to the edge. Works much better than an edger, albeit smellier. Then glycerine bar soap and a burnisher.

I still cant find a piece of shark big enough to get good belt straps out of. For myself I would need one about 53 inches long.

[King's X]

Check Van Amburg Leather

[Sixer]

  On 11/2/2012 at 12:04 AM, JRCHolsters said:

Here is what I do, YMMV. I rub a very tiny amount of superglue into the edges of all the exotics I work with. Then after it is dry and hard, I sand it down. Everything blends together beautifully! I use superglue on the edges of exotics, that don't come all the way to the outside edge. This gives it a very nice edge appearance. Hope this helps you out.

Great idea! I'll give that a try along with Shooter's advice on the belt sander. Thank you, thank you, thank you I obsess over my edges so much... and this was just driving me nuts. Much appreciated guys!

Shooter, I bought this shark from the Ostrich Market a few months ago. It was about 12 sq feet... not sure if I could have gotten a 53" strip out of it, but I bet it would have been close at the right angle Nice stuff!

[JRCHolsters]

No problem. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.