Sponge for casing leather

[Railrider1920]

Every video I've seen or even pics,  when people were wetting their leather,  they were using a natural looking sponge. Is there a reason for that? Can I use a new kitchen sponge, the kind with a scrubbing thing on it?

[garypl]

  On 7/7/2018 at 1:01 AM, Railrider1920 said:

Every video I've seen or even pics,  when people were wetting their leather,  they were using a natural looking sponge. Is there a reason for that? Can I use a new kitchen sponge, the kind with a scrubbing thing on it?

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I bought a cheap sponge at the dollar store.  Cut it into smaller pieces (@2 x 2”) and it works just fine.

Gary

[immiketoo]

I would recommend against using a sponge, at least for re-wettin leather in the middle of a project.  Initially its fine, but when adding moisture, a sponge has the tendency to allow too much into the cuts and then causes those cuts to open up and show the core.  I recommend getting a spray bottle for adding water to leather.

[fredk]

I'm contrary to you mike. I always use a sponge for the reasons you advise using a spray bottle. With a sponge I can control how much moisture to put on and just where. Its all in how you use it; a sopping wet sponge is not good, a damp sponge wiped over the working area delivers just the right amount of moisture

I use sponges bought in a discount store, 10 for £1 or so. They are about 3 inches by 4 inches by 3/4 inch thick. I use them for applying dye and top finish as well.

[ABHandmade]

I use a cosmetic finely-porous sponge instead of a kitchen sponge. It better retains water and allows more accurate dosage of the amount of water applied.

Edited July 11, 2018 by ABHandmade

[immiketoo]

  On 7/11/2018 at 6:29 AM, fredk said:

I'm contrary to you mike. I always use a sponge for the reasons you advise using a spray bottle. With a sponge I can control how much moisture to put on and just where. Its all in how you use it; a sopping wet sponge is not good, a damp sponge wiped over the working area delivers just the right amount of moisture

I use sponges bought in a discount store, 10 for £1 or so. They are about 3 inches by 4 inches by 3/4 inch thick. I use them for applying dye and top finish as well.

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  On 7/11/2018 at 7:52 AM, ABHandmade said:

I use a cosmetic finely-porous sponge instead of a kitchen sponge. It better retains water and allows more accurate dosage of the amount of water applied.

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That's ok.  You guys can use whatever works for you.  Having terrible luck with the sponge technique, Peter Main suggested I try a fine mist sprayer.  I can control moisture far better with a bottle.  Since then, I  haven't had any issues with too much moisture.  I agree with you about the sopping wet sponge, though.  Most people don't realize that too much water causes a ton of problems. 

[ABHandmade]

  On 7/11/2018 at 9:16 AM, immiketoo said:

 

That's ok.  You guys can use whatever works for you.  Having terrible luck with the sponge technique, Peter Main suggested I try a fine mist sprayer.  I can control moisture far better with a bottle.  Since then, I  haven't had any issues with too much moisture.  I agree with you about the sopping wet sponge, though.  Most people don't realize that too much water causes a ton of problems. 

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One not denies second. In some cases I use a sponge, in some (thanks to one of your videos) - a sprayer. This is not a matter of religion, but solely of expediency