Can't Get The Edges To Burnish Like Glass

[CoteCraftworks]

I am making items for sale and I want to burnish the edges so they reflect like glass. I sand the edges with a 150 grit paper, dye, then use gum trag and a wooden burnisher. They look ok but not like I want them. I've made sheaths that I was able to burnish to a high gloss using the above steps. What am I doing wrong?

[Chain]

Forget the gum trag and try candle wax (paraffin wax),

Dye the edge or use a black marker pen like I do

Lightly rub the candle along the edge

Burnish with your burnisher

Reapply if needed

See how that goes, practice on some scrap

[electrathon]

I like glycerin saddle soap, dislike gum trag.

Dampen the edge, rub with soap, rub briskly with denim or canvas.

[rWHrK]

I've been using 250 grit sandpaper and then 400 grit for a really smooth edge, gum trag to slick and smooth, beeswax to seal and fill any crevices where the trag might separate, and then a couple coats of atom wax. I've found this gives me the smoothest results. I had issues hand burnishing edges before since you have to either apply pressure or go really really fast to get enough friction to get enough heat, and that either tires your hand quite fast or will push your edges over, but after I bought a little Dremel and wood burnisher attachment my edges are turning out great.

[Bolt Vanderhuge]

I use glycerin/dish soap and a powered cocobolo burnisher before dying the edge. Then after dying I use smooth plastic pen. Then I rub paraffin wax and use the pen again. After the whole project is finished I put Renasaince wax on it which really gives a nice finish on an already smooth finish.

[CoteCraftworks]

Thanks for the help. I'll have to purchase some items to try these. First thing is to find the Dremel burnisher, that will save my arms!

[Bolt Vanderhuge]

I have not bought any from this site yet but I have it bookmarked so I can soon. The one I have been using I got off of Ebay.

http://leatherburnishers.com/Burnishers-for-Dremel.html

Edited December 31, 2015 by Bolt Vanderhuge

[gmace99]

Use pearl glue / hide glue put it on the edge let it go almost dry and rub.

[Fowlingpiece]

+1 hide glue

[Nuttish]

Has anyone tried PVA glue? I wonder if it would give as durable a finish as gloss acrylic and be more easily workable (no sanding/heat burnishing).