Finishing Leather Soles

[Humanzamboni]

Well, chalk this one up under a learning experience:  I sew moccasins and decided I wanted to add a nice veg tan sole.  I cut the soles, beveled the edges, wetted the edges and burnished.  I did not realize the water would stain the leather so now the soles have water stains (which is okay, actually looks kind of weathered since it is only on the edges).  I have done a fair amount of googling and haven't really found an answer:  What would be a proper way to finish veg tan soles so that they are not so susceptible to water stains?  I want the leather to remain in its natural color (that's why I picked it over crepe) and I've read about waxes and oils, but is that wise on the sole of a shoe (will it make them slick, will they stain a floor, etc.)?  Any input would be helpful, and the simpler the better.  Oh, and I also learned hand burnishing a tightish curve is not the easiest...

[bikermutt07]

This is not from experience, only from what I have gathered around the web....

I have mostly seen shoemakers using a wide hot burnishing iron. Then they apply some edge finish polish.

We don't have many shoe people here for some reason.

I am interested in them, but have yet to do even moccasins. 

[Humanzamboni]

Thanks for the reply bikermutt, I am just getting out of the "practicing" phase of making mocs and into using better leather and adding some modern twists here and there.  You should try it I'm sure you would do great.  Honestly, the prep is the longest part, cutting pieces and you don't really use a pricking iron but a hole punch which can be kind of tedious.  

[bikermutt07]

I have a pair with rubber soles from Walmart.  They fit great. I thought when I got them I would use them for a pattern. But now they just stink like all Walmart shoes.