Buffing wax edge burnishing to a shine

[Mike1261]

Hi folks

I've been reading all about burnishing for quite a while and have been trying to find my technique for a leather bracelet.

I bevel, sand, then use liquid saddle soap and a hand burnisher.

The result comes out looking slick and smooth and shiny. But after a day if wear some of the fibers start sticking out a bit and looks sloppy.

I read a post on here where someone followed up the saddle soap burnish with a 50/50 mix of Paraffin Wax and Bees Wax and burnished it again with the wax.

So I melted it up and mixed it 50/50 and tried that method.

The result is a decent edge that almost certainly will hold up, but there is no gloss to the edge at all. I take the excess off with canvas and it looks nice but dull. If I try using some elbow grease with a microfiber cloth the edge kinda dries out and looks awful.

What does one do to buff out a paraffin/beeswax burnish and make it look as nice as a saddle soap burnish does? I want the durability of the wax but the slick shine of the saddle soap.

 

Thanks!

[johnv474]

A lot of people use Resolene over their burnished edge.  It is a clear acrylic topcoat.  However, it is a bit too potent fresh out of the bottle, so it works better to dilute it 50:50 with water.  Two light coats beats one thick coat.

[billybopp]

I'm rather fond of Tokonole for burnished edges.  It leaves a nice very slick durable edge.

- Bill

[paloma]

24 minutes ago, billybopp said:

I'm rather fond of Tokonole for burnished edges.  It leaves a nice very slick durable edge.

- Bill

I do that,too, it's glossy,but i finish with carnuba wax it's even brighter and more durable.

[bikermutt07]

+1 for tokonole.

Also, and I think it can't be said enough, the quality of the leather plays a part in how well/easy something will slick up.

[Mike1261]

5 hours ago, paloma said:

I do that,too, it's glossy,but i finish with carnuba wax it's even brighter and more durable.

What do you mean you finish with carnuba wax? You use Tokonole and then go over it with the wax? How do you apply and finish with the carnuba?

I'm about to order Tokonole. I use black leather and chestnut leather. Would the black and brown Tokonole be good options? Or is clear better? I need it to be color fast. Not leave color on people's wrists or clothing. That's my only concern. That and the brown should ideally look natural on the chestnut.

I use Chahin strap leather. Seems to burnish nicely. Similar to my Hermann Oak. My problem with the HO is that the texture they emboss into their leather is very prominent. The Chahin is a better look for what I'm needing at a good price.

[paloma]

Well,

i try to said clearly,

so,after using "tokonole" ( in fact i use Tragacanthe gum that i prepare myself it's exactly the same product than tokonole,and i prepare it in gel and liquid ) and after burnishing when dry i use carnuba wax on a cloth and i buffing it with a soft cloth carnuba wax is quite liquid and it's very easy.The advantage of carnuba wax is the fact that it let a very hard and thin film on the surface of the edges it's enhance the glossy and it 's more durable.

Yes you can colored the Tokonole with the color you need.

Edited May 28, 2019 by paloma

[Mike1261]

Thank you Paloma for the clarification.

You mention that Gum Tragacanthe is the same as Tokonole - is it exactly the same out of the bottle? Or is it the same as Tokonole after you prepare it in gel and liquid?

I have Gum Tragacanthe as well. Is it still worth trying Tokonole or is it exactly the same?

[paloma]

Tokonole is the name of the brand  the molecule / product is the tragacanthe gum it's a natural gum we use in kitchen too. Yes i make me on 2 form liquid and gel as i need too make if it s for edges i use the gel if it's to make a color morethicker  i use liquid.

Edited May 28, 2019 by paloma

[bikermutt07]

In regards to the gum trag, from what I understand it hasn't been real gum trag for a long time.

There is definitely a difference between tokonole and the current offering offerings of gum trag.