Edge Kote

[Tpc]

Hello from Britain,

I have been making a few things with chrome tanned leather given to me by my upholsterer brother in law. Today  I have bought some 1.2mm natural veg tan shoulder which I want to make a wallet with. Finishing the edges is confusing me, gum trag and burnish ok, but why use edge kote instead of the dye I used on the surface? Thank you in advance . T

[Matt S]

Forget the gum trag. Smooth your edges with fine sandpaper if it's not even, then moisten and allow to half-dry before burnishing. When burnishing apply minimal pressure and move as fast as you can. Moisten using plain water, spit, diluted PV glue, wallpaper paste or weak gum arabic solution.

[TonyRV2]

In answer to your question about edge kote or dye, its because the edge is the most vulnerable part of the leather product.  Dye will not properly protect it, edge kote however will help to seal it up so that its not prone to soaking up moisture.

[ITCL]

Hello TPC, as far as I am concerned gum trag is bad stuff. Dye will not penetrate the leather any place gum trag has been applied. I always sand my edges first. After they are smooth I apply water to the edge and rub with glycerin soap and then burnish with a burnishing tool. Or with canvas if you don't have a burnishing tool. This will give you a very smooth edge. after burnishing I dye the edges and apply a sealer such as Wyo-sheen to the edge to seal it. I don't like to use Edge Kote because in some instances it has a tendency to crack. Bob Parks has a short tutorial on finishing edges which is really great. Look it up on line, I think you will enjoy it.

[Tpc]

Hi,

Thanks for the information really appreciate it. What a great site.