Members OnePivot Posted August 9, 2016 Members Report Posted August 9, 2016 I'm fairly new to leather work, but I can't find a practical use for this nasty stuff! If you search leather work all over the internet, gum trag always comes up. I picked up a bottle to see how it works out. It looks the same or worse than a water slicked edge. On the flesh side, it ends up coarse and rough. It blocks dye and finish. It seems to just be ruining my pieces! I'm using decent full grain veg tan. Is gum trag intended for low quality leathers? I'm struggling to find a place for this stuff at all. Quote
bikermutt07 Posted August 9, 2016 Report Posted August 9, 2016 I'm pretty sure it is one of those things you must buy in the beginning (because Tandy said so). Later, you can pretend you never bought it. Just like edge dye and that trusty stitching awl tool with the bobbin. Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Members OnePivot Posted August 9, 2016 Author Members Report Posted August 9, 2016 Ha! I have that quick stitcher too. Its definitely not useful. The old methods and tools seem to plain work best, short of a sewing machine. Quote
bikermutt07 Posted August 9, 2016 Report Posted August 9, 2016 Luckily, I didn't buy the stitcher. It was gifted to me by someone I did a carpentry favor for. Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
NVLeatherWorx Posted August 10, 2016 Report Posted August 10, 2016 Working with Gum Trag takes some time to get the hang of, as is knowing the precise time to burnish your edges (regardless of whether or not you use Gum Trag or just plain water). The fine tuned elements of this craft (and trade) don't come within a few months or even within the first couple of years. I have been using these things and doing this trade for over 40 years and yet I still find something new to add to my skills and techniques, that is what separates the various skill levels of craftsmanship. If you treat Gum Trag much the same as you would the water method (apply it and then let it start to set/dry up a bit) and then go at it with your burnishing tool vigorously (you can't get a good edge going at it like you are in a School Zone, gotta be the Autobahn) you will start to see the results that you may be looking for. It just takes practice to find the right mix of time, speed, and success. Keep at it and give it a chance and good luck. Quote Richard Hardie R. P. Hardie Leather Co. R. P. Hardie Leather Co. - OnlineR. P. Hardie Leather Co on Facebook
Members JerseyFirefighter Posted August 10, 2016 Members Report Posted August 10, 2016 2 hours ago, bikermutt07 said: I'm pretty sure it is one of those things you must buy in the beginning (because Tandy said so). Later, you can pretend you never bought it. Just like edge dye and that trusty stitching awl tool with the bobbin. You cut right to the center of my leatherworking soul. lol Quote Rob www.ridgewayleatherworks.com IG: @Ridgewayleatherworks FB: RidgewayLeatherworks
bikermutt07 Posted August 10, 2016 Report Posted August 10, 2016 Ha Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Members OnePivot Posted August 10, 2016 Author Members Report Posted August 10, 2016 1 hour ago, NVLeatherWorx said: Working with Gum Trag takes some time to get the hang of, as is knowing the precise time to burnish your edges (regardless of whether or not you use Gum Trag or just plain water). The fine tuned elements of this craft (and trade) don't come within a few months or even within the first couple of years. I have been using these things and doing this trade for over 40 years and yet I still find something new to add to my skills and techniques, that is what separates the various skill levels of craftsmanship. If you treat Gum Trag much the same as you would the water method (apply it and then let it start to set/dry up a bit) and then go at it with your burnishing tool vigorously (you can't get a good edge going at it like you are in a School Zone, gotta be the Autobahn) you will start to see the results that you may be looking for. It just takes practice to find the right mix of time, speed, and success. Keep at it and give it a chance and good luck. My edges are far from perfect (some of you guys post some beautiful work!), but they're looking pretty good. I couldn't actually get a better or different result with the gum trag. The edge still looks good, the leather just doesn't feel nice against skin. Maybe I'm just being sloppy, but a tiny dab seems to get somewhere I don't want it and ruins a dye job. Quote
electrathon Posted August 10, 2016 Report Posted August 10, 2016 20 hours ago, bikermutt07 said: I'm pretty sure it is one of those things you must buy in the beginning (because Tandy said so). Later, you can pretend you never bought it. Just like edge dye and that trusty stitching awl tool with the bobbin. I still have the first bottle of gum trag I was sold many, many years ago. It sits right next to the bottle of AstroGlyde. I have speedy stitchers too, at least I acquired those with bulk purchases. Quote
Members Tugadude Posted August 12, 2016 Members Report Posted August 12, 2016 I like gum tragacanth, but could live without it. Even water can cause spotting on certain leathers if you're not careful. Quote
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