How To Smooth Out Leather

[biker55]

hello all, I have a piece of scrap leather that I would liketo make a knife sheath out of. however the inside is kinda mangy looking. how can I make it smooth? thanks. and by the way, Happy Mother's day to all the mothers out there. here's a pic.

[electrathon]

Your best bet is to split it, but I am betting you do not have a splitter. You can try gluing it down with gum trag, I have always thought that was a tacky way to deal with the mess. You can sand off the worst of it and then line it, probably your best option.

[Sylvia]

You can sand the flesh side (with a bench top belt sander) until it is the texture of fine suede then slick it with liquefied saddle soap... and seal it down with gum tragacanth and finally your regular sealer/finish. If you plan on dying, do so before after the soap and before the Gum T.

[biker55]

thanks for the reponses.

[gainesvilleman]

Those are all great ideas, I will sometimes use 1,5 oz. leather and cover it. This will make a very nice lining for your project, and no one will ever know how bad the piece was to start with.

[chiefjason]

I usually start by skiving the worst of it off and tidy it up by sanding it. For the most part though, I try to avoid using it. But like you, I use it on my personal stuff sometimes.

[csteel24]

You can sand the flesh side (with a bench top belt sander) until it is the texture of fine suede then slick it with liquefied saddle soap... and seal it down with gum tragacanth and finally your regular sealer/finish. If you plan on dying, do so before after the soap and before the Gum T.

Sylvia, waht grain do you use for sanding?

Thanks

Martin

[Sylvia]

Sylvia, waht grain do you use for sanding?

Thanks

Martin

What my belt sander came with. 80 grit. It makes quick work of the fuzzies.... then I hand sand with 150 grit if it needs it.

Do protect yourself with a face mask...

Edited September 24, 2014 by Sylvia

[csteel24]

What my belt sander came with. 80 grit. It makes quick work of the fuzzies.... then I hand sand with 150 grit if it needs it.

Do protect yourself with a face mask...

Thanks Sylvia.

Cheers

Martin