Edging Question

[shooter55]

I have seen people wet the edges prior to edging, and others not. Normally, I do not wet before edging. Can I get some opinions as to if you do or don't and what benefit is to wetting verses not wetting.

[Chief31794]

I wet before edging but I wet it lightly and let it dry back to nearly natural, if you try to edge when it is too wet, the edger can leave marks and the leather can bunch up. The other thing is to have a very sharp edger, I strop all my edgers before using them. Dry works well but I like the smoother cut I get from dampened leather. You're gonna get lots of answers, one will be consistent, sharp edger only!!!

Chief

[Cyberthrasher]

I lightly moisten, especially on the flesh side. If I don't, the edger will always find a tough spot and jump off to stab the tip of my pinky!!

[artycpt]

For me it depends on the leather I am using. thinner leather I wet slightly as if I haven't sharpened my edger it helps keep a good clean edge cut. Some softer or thicking (better quality) leather edges just fine without wetting.

[billymac814]

Depends on the leather too. If I don't have to I don't because it saves time but a lot of times when its not cutting well I dampen it a bit, it definitely helps cut easier. I use Wickett and Craig tooling leather and it always seems harder to cut than any others.

[shooter55]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the input.

Tim