Question On Glass Slicker/burnisher Thing

[Windrider30]

Ok the other day I tried out my glass slicker after I cased the leather, what I did notice and I am not sure if I am right in thinking this but, it did seem to make the gel hold better and the leather was a bit smoother then my first leather bracelet but the stamping came out weird, one of my stamps really did not want to make a good impression and the other ones I really had to hammer kind of hard on it. So my question is this. A: do I use the glass slicker after I stamp a project or before it and does it really make as much of a difference as my untrained eye seems to think it does?

[Tramps Leatherworking]

The reason for tempering/slicking your leather is to compact the fibers and take some the stretch out of it --- rubbing leather with a glass slicker when it’s wet will compress the fibers and compact them. You will typically temper stirrup leathers on a saddle. Why? Well, because they are going to carry some of your weight, and if you don't they will have a tendency to stretch out on their own. Tooled belts that are single ply are good to temper as well, since when you stamp them the will have a tendency to stretch --- not only in length but also out of shape. And it does seem to give stamping a crisper appearance, but it will usually take more pressure to achieve the desired results. I do not use a slicker when tooling, nor does anyone I have learned from and most of their stuff looks great, so I think it just comes down to personal preference.

[Wild Bill46]

Windrider ----------------------------------

I'de have to go with tramp , I never heard of slicking any type of tooling,

Not saying it can't be done, Just never heard of it. ------------- Wild Bill46

[Northmount]

Slicking after tooling would destroy your tooling. Have slicked leather to remove accidental impressions. Also to improve the surface on cheap leather.

Tom

[Colt W Knight]

Ive started slicking before tooling. I like the sheen it gives the leather. I only go over it 2-3 times.

[Windrider30]

Thanks everyone for the information, and have not thought of using the slicker to remove accidental markings will give that a go on some scrap I have!