Looking for a fast and effective way to burnish natural veg-tan

[bylinesupplyco]

Currently on my belts, I add natural atom wax liquid to the edges (natural veg-tan straps), and proceed to burnish with my pro edge cocobolo burnisher. This is in my drill press.

 

I have noticed darker spots on the edges, and the burnish is not a consistent caramel color throughout.

 

I am looking for a fast way to burnish, as I do production runs so a hand held wooden edge slicker is out of the question. Is there another liquid I could use? Machine? Technique?

 

I am wanting to do them as fast as possible, however with good looking fast results. Thanks!

[Mattsbagger]

Have you tried saddle soap or gum trag?

[Wulfing]

I'm a beginner but i use the attached dremel tool attachments. I dye the edges rather than use edge paint then burnish. I use my home made wax and oil based product to do both burnish the edges and nourish the leather.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-Sizes-Leather-Burnisher-Wood-Edge-Leather-Craft-Slicker-Tools-Kit-for-Dremel-/302079111397?hash=item46555170e5:g:0HsAAOSwYIxX36kk

[bylinesupplyco]

I have tried gum trag a long time ago. I liked the results, but the application is where it got me. Basically I would apply it with a wool dauber, and if it dripped on the natural veg tan, it would just discolor it. I understand that it is also a learned skill of application to get just the right amount so Im not faulting the dauber

[Mattsbagger]

1 hour ago, bylinesupplyco said:

I have tried gum trag a long time ago. I liked the results, but the application is where it got me. Basically I would apply it with a wool dauber, and if it dripped on the natural veg tan, it would just discolor it. I understand that it is also a learned skill of application to get just the right amount so Im not faulting the dauber

Just use a finger tip. That's what I do with this stuff.

[bikermutt07]

You can try wyoslik from Sheridan. Sheridan is out of business now but Barry King acquired the rights to wyoslik and I understand he is shipping now. You have to call, it wasn't listed on his site as recently as two weeks ago. 

I haven't gotten to try it yet.

Fiebings antique paste in Natural, I have had good luck with for edges.

Finally is tokonole, it is new to me but a quick test gave slicker feeling results than the antique paste. Sheen was comparable. Available from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply or goodsjapan.

Hope this helps.

[chiefjason]

I like liquid saddle soap.  I apply it with a dauber.  If I'm doing a black edge I just dye it with pro oil dye then straight to the burnisher.  The oil dye works as well as anything else I have used.  If I burnish with the oil dye I don't have to use the saddle soap.  But for pre dyed stuff, or natural color edges it's hard to beat saddle soap.  

[Brianm77]

On 3/8/2017 at 11:29 AM, bylinesupplyco said:

I have tried gum trag a long time ago. I liked the results, but the application is where it got me. Basically I would apply it with a wool dauber, and if it dripped on the natural veg tan, it would just discolor it. I understand that it is also a learned skill of application to get just the right amount so Im not faulting the dauber

Nearly anything applied to leather will darken it slightly.  Either be very careful or you can give all of it a bath in saddle soap... or antique paste...   I struggle with that a little myself. 

[MikeG]

You didn't specify what style burnisher you are using in your drill press.  If you are not using a "yo-yo" style or something similar, that may be a reason you are getting uneven results.  I can achieve an edge burnish I am happy with using the cheap nylon Tandy disk burnisher in my drill press.  I use the dowel style burnishers for curves and tight spots, but not for anything like a belt.   I also have a disk style burnisher on a sewing machine motor screwed to the edge of my bench.  It's really handy for small items and touch up when I'm too lazy to go to the drill press.

That said, there are many, many threads on burnishing here on the forums.  One variable that is sometimes overlooked is the leather itself.  Some burnishes almost effortlessly, others not so much.  BTW, I also like Atom Wax.

Edited March 11, 2017 by MikeG
spelling

[JerseyFirefighter]

On 3/8/2017 at 0:29 PM, bylinesupplyco said:

I have tried gum trag a long time ago. I liked the results, but the application is where it got me. Basically I would apply it with a wool dauber, and if it dripped on the natural veg tan, it would just discolor it. I understand that it is also a learned skill of application to get just the right amount so Im not faulting the dauber

I wonder how a heritage dye box would do with the gum trag. $50 cant go wrong.

 

On 3/10/2017 at 1:35 AM, chiefjason said:

I like liquid saddle soap.  I apply it with a dauber.  If I'm doing a black edge I just dye it with pro oil dye then straight to the burnisher.  The oil dye works as well as anything else I have used.  If I burnish with the oil dye I don't have to use the saddle soap.  But for pre dyed stuff, or natural color edges it's hard to beat saddle soap.  

Thay sounds ridiculously messy no?

Edited March 11, 2017 by JerseyFirefighter