Clean up underside of leather

[RunningRoan]

I have some latigo leather that has a rather "rough" underside. I'm using it for some small single ply items, so that ugly underside will show. I'd like to smooth down those fibers to make it look more finished. Anything I can do? Is my only alternative to line it?

If I do choose to line it, what's everyone's favorite liner?

[Art]

Hi Heather,

You can sand the back, gum it, or both. When sanding use sharp new sandpaper. If you have a real "stringy" back, 60 will do to start and you can get progressively as smooth as you like, don't get so aggressive as to sand through the leather, you just want to get the fuzz down. Alternately or even after sanding, you can use Gum Tragacanth to smooth the finish even more. This is traditionally called a "moss back" or a "gum back" by the tanneries.

For lining, it really depends on the application, from "same as front" to calf or kip, often a less expensive pig or goat, if not seen or obvious, any scrap you have left over may do. For holsters and belts, I tend to use the same stuff both sides, same thickness, each half of the overall thickness I want, especially true if I am depending on the overall thickness for strength.

Art

I have some latigo leather that has a rather "rough" underside. I'm using it for some small single ply items, so that ugly underside will show. I'd like to smooth down those fibers to make it look more finished. Anything I can do? Is my only alternative to line it?

If I do choose to line it, what's everyone's favorite liner?

[RunningRoan]

Hi Heather,

You can sand the back, gum it, or both. When sanding use sharp new sandpaper. If you have a real "stringy" back, 60 will do to start and you can get progressively as smooth as you like, don't get so aggressive as to sand through the leather, you just want to get the fuzz down. Alternately or even after sanding, you can use Gum Tragacanth to smooth the finish even more. This is traditionally called a "moss back" or a "gum back" by the tanneries.

For lining, it really depends on the application, from "same as front" to calf or kip, often a less expensive pig or goat, if not seen or obvious, any scrap you have left over may do. For holsters and belts, I tend to use the same stuff both sides, same thickness, each half of the overall thickness I want, especially true if I am depending on the overall thickness for strength.

Art

Thanks Art! I'll try the sanding trick and see what that does!

[tonyc1]

If something is really bad I just pull the strap thru my splitter and take a millipoof off the back which usually makes it much cleaner! Your splitter needs to be nice and sharp though!

Tony.