Need Opinions From Users Of Fiebing's Dura Edge

[ToddB 68]

Greetings !

I guess the Topic Title conveys what I need........

Thanks,

ToddB 68

[Red Cent]

I have a bottle of it but I have not used it much. It does dry bright and shiny. It is very thick (think cold syrup) and the dauber comes out LOADED with the stuff. Better to snip the dauber off and use a clean cheap one each time.

I think it will be a personal preference.

[ToddB 68]

Red Cent,

Thanks for your feedback on Fiebing's Dura Edge ! I take it you're not real enthused with it.

I'm new to leatherwork and have the leather as well as all tools and supplies needed to make my first project, a sheath, except I'm still trying to decide on a final finish for the leather edges. I plan to follow Bob Park's "Finishing Edges" process, except I will be substituting Black Vinegaroon instead of spirit or oil dye at step #5..

Initially, I was all set to use LCi's Neat Lac (Now Clear Lac) at step #8 until I discovered how much it would cost for the product + shipping........too pricy for this beginner ! I've already spent quite a bit for all the stuff purchased to date.

So I've been looking for an alternative final edge finish that can be applied overtop of Black Vinegaroon and provide similar qualities of Clear Lac, i.e. toughness, good adhesion, flexibility without cracking or flaking and gloss anywhere between semi to high-gloss. Also, I would prefer a clear final finish, but black would be acceptable so long as it still meets the aforementioned qualities.

I've noticed several members, including yourself, who have recommended Mop & Glo as a final leather edge finish, but didn't say what type. So I have posted the question to them and to yourself. See my post #14 to you here > The Business board > Getting Started forum > My thread "Should I Seal Vinegaroon on The Edges ?" .

There are quite a few Mop & Glo products, each chemically designed for a specific purpose. See more information in my post #14.

Thanks for your help !

ToddB 68

Edited March 30, 2014 by ToddB 68

[Red Cent]

I am for a good sanding to get a rounded edge and a smooth edge. I sand with a rubber handled hook and loop block with 220 and finish with 400. I discovered some soft dense synthetic sponges impregnated with fine grit in the shop. Between the fine grit and the foam further enhancing a rounded edge, it takes very little time. Barely wetting the edge, I burnish. Like glass.

I use black or brown edge dye (Fieblings). After the dye dries, burnish. Like glassier:). Then I apply an acrylic I got from Zack White. Have no idea of the name. Its called #250. Works great.

Using the vinagroon for the edge, the leather would have to be black. That stuff goes anywhere/everywhere.

[ToddB 68]

Red Cent,

I appreciate the explanation of your process as conveyed in post #4, but as indicated in my post #3, I am just asking which type of Mop & Glo you were previously suggesting. There are many different types, each chemically designed for a specific task. You can Google "Mop & Glo" and click-on a Link and see the product display, to see what I mean.

In your previous post #4, you mentioned an acrylic product #250 from Zack White, but didn't know the exact name off hand. So I spent quite a bit of time going through Zack's sub-categories, down-loading and attaching (6) pictures (The 6th "Fiebing's Leather Sheen" didn't upload correctly.) below of what I thought might be possibilities for you to look at and then advise which one, if any, of these is what you were referring to (Sorry for that mouthful ).

Thanks for the continued help and I look forward to your reply.

ToddB 68

Fiebings-Leather-Sheen-4-oz--C25704_p_2011.htm

Edited March 31, 2014 by ToddB 68

[Red Cent]

It is a proprietary product. You may have to make contact.

A product I use often if an acceptable edge is accomplished is Fieblings brown or black edge enamel. It has the consistency of a spirit dye but goes on well and leaves a great finish.

I apologize for the superfluous information.

[ToddB 68]

Red Cent,

With reference to your post #6, have you used the Mop & Glo product and do you still have the bottle ?

If so, could you scan and attach a picture of the front so I can read the label ? That would identify the type for me. ( I didn't understand what product you were referring to when you said "It is a proprietary product. You may have to make contact." I guess you were referring to Mop& Glo, but not sure.).

BTW, I think the product you "use often if an acceptable edge is accomplished is Fiebings Brown or Black Edge Enamel.", is shown in my attachment below.

I got on the Zack White site and copied this image of Fiebing's Edge Enamel (4oz) part number C23604 and his description was "A heavy bodied resin based edge finish. Best when applied after smoothing the edges to produce a clean, smooth glossy edge. Edge enamel can be thinned with water. Stocked in Black (01) and Brown (02)." However, his minimum order for product is $15.00 and Standard Shipping to my Zip Code is $14.00, for a total of 29.00.....too costly for a beginner like me. Thanks anyhow for the suggestion.

So, back to the questions in my first paragraph.....what say you ?

Appreciate your help !

ToddB 68

Edited April 3, 2014 by ToddB 68

[Northmount]

Mop & Glo Triple Action, the UPC is 59631 38032, comes in a blue bottle.

Tom

[ToddB 68]

Tom,

Many thanks for the Mop & Glo information in your post #8.

Have you used it on leather edges before ?

Did you like it's performance ?

ToddB 68

[Northmount]

Have used mop & glo on the edges. Had no problems. I would be careful of how waxy the burnished edge is as most finishes don't like to stick to wax.

Tom

[ToddB 68]

northmount,

Hi Tom ! ........Thanks for the feedback on Mop & Glo .........and the caution about applying to waxy edges.

ToddB 68

[ToddB 68]

northmount,

I've been pondering the caution you included in post #10, i.e. "I would be careful of how waxy the burnished edge is as most finishes don't like to stick to wax."

As you might recall, I will be following the "Finishing Edges" seven-step process by Bob Park (hidepounder) and it involves the application of Fiebing's glycerin bar soap at step #3 and yellow paste saddle soap at step #4, as well as common paraffin at step #6.

These three products are applied by either rubbing-in well, burnishing, or a combination of burnishing and polishing with a soft dry cloth respectively.

Do you think if I just apply a modest amount of paraffin at the polishing step #6 and then burnish and polish with a soft dry cloth, that the Mop & Glo will adhere well ?

Below is the most relevant part of the definition for paraffin, that I got from Merriam Webster online, copied here for reference. (So your caution was/is very apropos !)

Paraffin : " a waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained especially from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum or shale oil that is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing, etc., etc.."

Thanks in advance Tom, for your reply to my above question.

ToddB 68

Edited April 6, 2014 by ToddB 68

[Northmount]

Wax (bees wax, paraffin,etc.) is a finish in and of itself. I don't add a finish on top of my waxed burnished edges. The burnishing should have helped to warm the wax so it gets worked into the fibers on the edge.

I usually apply the finish to the face of the leather, then dye the edge (if I am using an edge dye), then burnish. The finish helps prevent messing up the face if I slip a little during the burnishing.

Tom

[ToddB 68]

Northmount and Viewers,

Click-on the attachment to see my post.

The original post I submitted was the same text, but for some reason the website program displayed it with all the codes for paragraph spacing, italicizing, quotation marks and emoticons (Smileys), etc....messy looking ! So I saved to WordPad, made corrections, filed in Documents folder and attached here. (I saved to WordPad right away, to make certain it didn't vanish, which has happened on previous occasions.)

ToddB 68

Post on 4-6-2014 to northmount at Leatherworker..rtf

Edited April 7, 2014 by ToddB 68

[Northmount]

It was used with minimal burnishing, no wax, edge dye, and sometimes gum trag.

Tom

[ToddB 68]

northmount,

I'm trying to make sure I get this straight.

In your post #15, re using Mop & Glo as an edge finish, please clarify,.... do you mean no wax, no edge dye and sometimes no gum trag are used, i.e. do you mean none of these three are used prior to applying the M&G ?

ToddB 68