smoothing the back side of leather

[utah leather]

had a request from a customer and he asked me if I could smooth off the back of a veg tan belt that I had made for him for his suit, has anyone done this ? if so what steps did you use   from John's Belt Shop

[TexasJack]

I'll unload what I know and then we can wait to see what the experts say.

I put gum tragacanth on the back, let it set up a bit, then rub it smooth.

The best way to have a smooth back is to glue (and sew) in another (usually thinner) piece of leather so that the 2 rough sides are glued together.

 

[JLSleather]

Ideally, buy the leather already looking good on teh back.

Second, split it so that it looks good on the back (cut out the fuzzy).

Or, line it as suggested.

 

[TonyRV2]

I've done this on a limited basis with the belt loops on knife sheaths.  Smoothing out the flesh side is just like burnishing the edges.  I use watered down saddlesoap for this, but any liquid will do.  Some prefer trag as mentioned above.  All the liquid does is cuts down on heat so that you don't burn the leather when burnishing, which is especially important if you're using a power tool to do it as I do.  I use a foredom flexshaft rotory tool with a wooden dowel attached for burnishing.  I then go over that with a bone tool.  Works out well for my purposes, although I would think that on a belt you're looking at a lot more work overall.  Might be best as others have suggested to just line the belt with some thinner veg tan....2-1/2 or 3 ounce ought to do it.  

 

Edited November 11, 2016 by TonyRV2

[HBAR]

I hate to tell a man his business but... If your specialty is belts, you need to be lining them.  The advice above is good but you should be lining your belts. That is just one sign of a quality belt.  They are firmer, sturdier, smoother, less stretch, nicer in just about every way.

I make most of my belts at a 1/4" thick.  If you make the front with 7/8 oz, you can line the back with the exact same and have a great belt and after edge finishing it will look like one piece of leather.  Of course if you are selling more dressy belts just use lighter weights of leather. Still always line them if you want people to really like the belt that you made them.  You put a lot of time and effort into your creations. This will make them even better.

[utah leather]

9 hours ago, HBAR said:

I hate to tell a man his business but... If your specialty is belts, you need to be lining them.  The advice above is good but you should be lining your belts. That is just one sign of a quality belt.  They are firmer, sturdier, smoother, less stretch, nicer in just about every way.

I make most of my belts at a 1/4" thick.  If you make the front with 7/8 oz, you can line the back with the exact same and have a great belt and after edge finishing it will look like one piece of leather.  Of course if you are selling more dressy belts just use lighter weights of leather. Still always line them if you want people to really like the belt that you made them.  You put a lot of time and effort into your creations. This will make them even better.

thanks guys for your help,