Burnishing/hardening Edges Of Soft Leather

[kipling79]

I have researched the question of how to burnish soft leather and already know that it will be difficult (if not impossible) and may require a hot iron. My question here is in what order should the burnishing techniques be used.

I have a bag from saddleback leather which I purchased before ever working with leather. Every edge is fraying on me now and I am to the point where I want to either sell it or fix it. THe leather appears to be chrome tanned, but I am not sure; what I do know is that it will not burnish by ordinary methods.

I have:

A hot iron (wood burner)

Wooden handle for burnishing

Gum Tagacanth

Fieblings Edge Dye

Wax

Would a certain combination of these treatments be best? And, in what order would you suggest?

Thanks

[Tugadude]

Pictures would help. We can better assess the situation by seeing the edges ourselves.

[Thor]

Also please include what kind of leather this is. Saddleback uses pigskin a lot.

[kipling79]

Thank you for the quick replies.

Here is an excerpt of the bag's description on Amazon:

TANNING PROCESS

- Saddleback only uses the best Chrome Tanned leather from reputable, environmentally friendly tanneries in Old Mexico.

THE LEATHER

- The leather we use is the best, most expensive, rugged, full grain cow leather. The leather will stay hard enough to protect your valuables while still becoming beautifully soft over time.

Below is the photo:

As you can see, the edges are flattening out and/or curling back anytime they experience any sort of pressure.

This is really annoying me and I feel a little bit cheated by the company. In their own propaganda they claim that unfinished edges are better, and that anyone who finishes leather edges is simply hiding low quality leather. Unfortunately, I didn't know enough about leather when I purchased this.

Edit: THe picture doesn't do the edge damage justice. The edges are often 25% wider than original due to being mushed flat or curled back.

Edited December 20, 2015 by kipling79

[kipling79]

I should also add that I have saddle soap and an edger, in addition to the tools listed in the original post. I hope there is a combination of techniques which can help me repair this unsightly damage.

[robs456]

In their own propaganda they claim that unfinished edges are better, and that anyone who finishes leather edges is simply hiding low quality leather.

HarHar...

I've never worked with Chrome tanned but the luxury companies that do uses edge paint. In this video they show the process : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw43Isosh_s

[johnv474]

Saddleback uses 5-6 Oz chrome tanned boot leather for most bags and briefcases (wallets and belts are different). Their claim about inferiority is inaccurate, but you can still treat the edges. I would suggest a little gum tragacanth along the edges (a mild glue), to hold fibers together, Rub with a slicker a little, and then use edge paint. Fiebing's, Angelus, and Wood N Stuff have highly flexible acrylic paints for leather that stick well.

[grmnsplx]

I have to caution you with johnv474's advice. From what I hear and what I have tried (I've used edge paint a few times), gum trag should not be used in conjunction with edge paint. It doesn't want to adhere as much to an edge that you've tried to slick.

Honestly, I would just leave it.

You can try some gum trag and a slicker but it won't get you very far.

Edge paint will work better, but it will be a total pain. If it were to be used on a bag like that you would want to have painted some edges prior to assembly which you can't do here. Also, edgepaint can be really messy if you don't know what you're doing.

Edited December 22, 2015 by grmnsplx

[George3]

If it was me, I'd dye the edges with a darker color and use some gum trag and rub a slicker over it and call it a day.

I use a bone folder to do the insides of the cutout.

Be careful with the dye, I use a small dauber and angle it so as not to get it on the top of the strap, use a small artist brush in the slot.

It is what it is, it's leather...

[Nuttish]

For stuff with loose flesh like that, I edge bevel and then use the Italian clear acrylic edge paint from Campbell-Randall. You can sand it between coats to build a smooth and translucent finish.

Here's Horween Cavalier, which is basically impossible to burnish.

[kipling79]

Thank you all for the helpful advice.

It sounds like gum tragacanth will be a part of the solution, and I will be using the seams on the bottom of the bag to test different techniques.

Elsewhere in these forums there is a lengthy discussion about using heat to help burnish soft leather, and I am excited to see if it will produce hard edges in conjunction with all of your ideas.

Between the holidays, other projects, and the size of this less critical project; It may be a while until I attempt this and post back. I hope to have good results to discuss.

[johnv474]

I have to caution you with johnv474's advice. From what I hear and what I have tried (I've used edge paint a few times), gum trag should not be used in conjunction with edge paint. It doesn't want to adhere as much to an edge that you've tried to slick.

Honestly, I would just leave it.

You can try some gum trag and a slicker but it won't get you very far.

Edge paint will work better, but it will be a total pain.

Thanks for this. I had not tried gum trag and also edge paint together, and was not aware of adhesion issues.

[Nuttish]

Gum won't burnish leather with loose flesh. You'll have to impregnate it with plastic if you want it to harden.

I should have said how I apply the paint. It's rather quick, not a pain at all.

Roll clear acrylic on sparely with a Tandy dye roller or however you usually neatly apply paint; distribute it and rub it in with finger (nitrile gloves); repeat; sand however you wish. I guess you could also use Resolene or acrylic floor polish.

[TGUNARTO]

I have a piece of saddleback which I tried to finish the edge. You cant use gum trach. Since it is already stitched it is very difficult to finish some edges. I tried to wax and burnish with jeans but only successful on certain parts (shoulder strap, flap closure and some other parts. some parts are just not accepting this method.

Saddleback was the company that lured my interest in leather in 2012. Nowadays I feel their products is just cut and sew. I have a sachtel which starts to fray on the edges. And some edges on the bottom looks mushy and going to fall apart. So I tried to do something to the edges but with no success.

Maybe the only solution is to use those rubbery edge coating.