How Do I Finish The Flesh Side?

[alancolyer]

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster.

I've read alot about finishing edges on my leather projects, and I've gotten results I'm mostly happy with.

However, on some projects, like archery bracers, I have a large area of flesh-side on the bottom which contacts the wearer's skin.

Depending on the peice of leather this is sometimes OK, other times a problem. I normally use veg-tan tooling leather, varying quality / types. The flesh side can be anything from almost smooth to furrier than your cat.

I've found that if I dye the flesh side, particularly if I use oil based dye (like Fiebing's oil dye) it becomes almost crusty and can feel like sandpaper.

I was wondering how others deal with this?

Here's some things I've tried in the past:

1. Dye with oil-dye, then coat with leather conditioner (beeswax with other stuff) and burnish, this seems to remove the sandpaper feel but can feel a little waxy afterwards

2. Line the flesh-side with suede - I like this, but it does require more leather and much more time for the glueing and stitching

3. Sand or lightly skive, dye with water-based dye, and burnish with gum trag - never gets totally smooth, will be undone with use

The answer may be "buy better leather" but I would be interested to know if there's a good way to come up with a reasonably smooth coloured finish on the flesh side.

Any help appreciated.

[Dwight]

My first choice of course you are already doing, . . . line it with suede. I personally will not make it any other way for my own use, . . .

But if someone insisted, . . . my choice would be several applications of an old fashioned product: 50/50 virgin bees wax and neatsfoot oil, . . . weigh them out on a scale, . . . equal weights of each, . . . put them in a jar in a crock pot or a pan on the stove, . . . melt them together.

I pour it out into a muffin pan that has muffin papers in it, . . . makes little waxy muffins.

THEN, . . . rub the hardened wax/oil product across the back and front, . . . like you were using a piece of chalk and trying to color it. Next, . . . hit it with a heat gun set on low or med, . . . you want to melt the wax, . . . and get the oil to penetrate with the melted wax. It'll take several coats, . . . you just play with it, . . . you will find the place you like it.

It will buff up to a nice shine if you want, . . . or you can leave it kinda dull, . . .

I basically use that product for all my "special" holsters, knife sheaths, etc. for those who want the old fashioned look and feel. BUT, . . . it is a great product and a great finish.

It does however, . . . make you have to sand that flesh side if there are bad sections, . . . you want it smooth to start out with.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Tesla Ranger]

There's some different approaches. On the odd occasion I might use kote and burnish it well during the application. That seems to work pretty well for large areas that will be rubbing against something routinely. Alternatively, I'll stain & finish it the same way I do the grain side. I tend to use gel based stains and tan-kote for finish and so far I haven't had any problems. Installing a lining is a good solution, but time intensive and generally overkill for most projects.

[Colt W Knight]

I just line everything. I don't like the flesh side hanging out.

[alancolyer]

Thanks for all the replies - Dwight I might give that wax a shot, I have some pure beeswax already and can get neetsfoot (I have the compound which I think is different).

cheers

[jarvis123]

Dwight,

Is there a picture of this finish on your website?

[Dwight]

Dwight,

Is there a picture of this finish on your website?

I am not certain on the website, . . . I don't think so.

But this whole western belt and holster rig was done with it, . . . it is my personal "parade" rig, . . . so to speak.

It is a product of the John Bianchi video's, . . . and the 50/50 mix.

Pardon the scratches and digs, . . . it happens when you use a piece of equipment, . . .

May God bless,

Dwight

[jarvis123]

That looks fantastic! Thanks for the knowledge.

[kiwican]

would snoseal work like the beeswax and neatsfoot mix?

[alancolyer]

just reporting back, I tried the wax & neatsfoot mix and it worked perfectly. rubbed it on, used a heatgun to melt it in, then burnished for a great finish. worked well on even very fuzzy leather, and feels smooth enough, even has a nice shine.

thanks for the knowledge Dwight