Leather Briefcase Task List

[jaysmith]

I'm hoping that you can help me out.

I've been working with leather for a couple of years no, mostly sheaths and such. But now I am working on a briefcase similar to a Saddleback Leather style one. I have the leather, materials, and tools, but i am not sure of the beast order to do things in to achieve the best outcome. Having scoured this forum, this is the best order I can come up with, but I can see some possible issues. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.

The order of tasks:

A) Cut out leather pattern pieces

Groove leather and mark holes for lacing. Cut hoiles where needed

C) Burnish edges

D) Dye leather

E) Cement pigskin liner

F) Glue, sew, and rivet pieces together (including all hardware)

G) Finish/treat/buff leather

Am I close? One of the things I have been thinking is that C-F may need to be in a different order. Dyeing the leather first, gets it into all the places it needes to be. But I feel like the edges should be burnished after the piece is assembled to give a good edges where two or more pieces come together. Wouldn't this require dyeing it after the being sewn?

Again, I would love any advice you'd care to share.

Thanks,

J

[Northmount]

I'd burnish the edges after assembly so the pieces look like a single entity after burnishing. No misaligned edges. Helps to cut a little oversized as well so you have room to trim the edges even before burnishing.

Tom

[jaysmith]

Can I burnish the edges after they have been dyed? Or do I need to assemble everything, and then try to dye it?

Thanks,

J

[billymac814]

I think what you'll find is some edges need burnished before assembly and some after as northmount suggested. There may be pieces you won't be able to burnish after assembly.

I would personally dye all the pieces right after they are cut out and before burnishing the edges. For me I find I get a better edge easier on dyed leather, plus if you get any stray wax anywhere it could affect the dye penetration and you'll have light spots.