Techniques for finishing edges quickly

[Jason046]

We have been making straps and finishing the edges by furnishing with water, then liquid saddle soap and finishing with beeswax after dyed. We recently received an order for a huge amount of strap and was wondering if there are any techniques that can make this process quicker but still keep the edges lasting long without fraying. Thanks

[Rhale]

Ron’s edge rub is very quick and easy to use but is a bit expensive.  I also like quick slick from Barry King it does a good job and not as expensive, may take a little more burnishing! 

[Jason046]

1 hour ago, Rhale said:

Ron’s edge rub is very quick and easy to use but is a bit expensive.  I also like quick slick from Barry King it does a good job and not as expensive, may take a little more burnishing! 

Thanks for the info, can these be applied before dyeing or does it interfere with the dye taking to the leather

[fredk]

I only use a beeswax/nfo/carnauba wax mix for my edges. Edge is dyed and then the mix is applied with a cloth and burnished using either a wood slicker or just a piece of linen.

[Rhale]

You can use either to burnish then dye edges or dye the burnish, I usually dye the burnish but either way will work, try both and see what works best for you!

[Jason046]

2 hours ago, fredk said:

I only use a beeswax/nfo/carnauba wax mix for my edges. Edge is dyed and then the mix is applied with a cloth and burnished using either a wood slicker or just a piece of linen.

What percent of each do you use. Do you mix your own or buy it somewhere?

[fredk]

4 hours ago, Jason046 said:

What percent of each do you use. Do you mix your own or buy it somewhere?

I make it myself.

No percentages or proper mixing. I just heat some beeswax until its liquid then add some nfo, let that cool and see what its like. Then either more wax of nfo until the mix is a soft paste, like a firm butter, then I add in about a teaspoon worth of carnauba wax. The mix is then warmed to liquid and poured into large enamelled tins which have lids.

In use, I get some mix on a cloth and wipe it on across the edge of the leather, at intervals, then burnish each blob into the edge and meeting all the blobs up.Some paste mix gets on the front and back of the piece and I just rub this in and buff it off.

I've only ever done edges this way and its pretty quick.

[Jason046]

6 hours ago, fredk said:

I make it myself.

No percentages or proper mixing. I just heat some beeswax until its liquid then add some nfo, let that cool and see what its like. Then either more wax of nfo until the mix is a soft paste, like a firm butter, then I add in about a teaspoon worth of carnauba wax. The mix is then warmed to liquid and poured into large enamelled tins which have lids.

In use, I get some mix on a cloth and wipe it on across the edge of the leather, at intervals, then burnish each blob into the edge and meeting all the blobs up.Some paste mix gets on the front and back of the piece and I just rub this in and buff it off.

I've only ever done edges this way and its pretty quick.

Sounds good. I'm always looking for new ways to try

[NeilMott]

Hey all.

I've got a somewhat similar issue.  I have a watch strap that I wanted to add some Sno-Seal to.  I don't mind the darkening that it will do, but I'm not sure if I should add stitching to it before or after applying the Sno-Seal...  btw, that recipe sounds awesome.  I have NFO and beeswax, but no carnuba at the moment.  Here's what the strap looks like now.  It was a tan color before applying 2 coats of NFO to soften it up.   I imagine I'll still have to go the beeswax route and burnish.  I was told not to heat up the wax though first - not even a little.  But the beeswax doesn't want to go onto the leather.

[fredk]

2 hours ago, NeilMott said:

I've got a somewhat similar issue.  I have a watch strap that I wanted to add some Sno-Seal to.  I don't mind the darkening that it will do, but I'm not sure if I should add stitching to it before or after applying the Sno-Seal...

Either before or after, it really makes little difference. I usually put it on after sewing as it helps in around the thread and gets down into the thread holes

2 hours ago, NeilMott said:

  I have NFO and beeswax, but no carnuba at the moment. 

Carnauba wax just makes the beeswax a bit harder when it all dries. you can do without it.

2 hours ago, NeilMott said:

 I imagine I'll still have to go the beeswax route and burnish.  I was told not to heat up the wax though first - not even a little.  But the beeswax doesn't want to go onto the leather.

Heating up both the wax mix and the leather helps considerably. Use a hairdryer on low heat, you just need about 60*. If you live in a very warm place then extra heating may not be needed. My area is 8*c now (very warm for winter) and rarely goes above 21*c in summer so extra heating is required. But if your wax mix is soft enough it will just rub into the leather. Let it sit awhile, give it a second coat, wait, then burnish it in and off with a rag and polish brush

Whoever told you not to heat the wax is either in a warm place or should be there for giving false information