Gulrok Report post Posted September 30, 2021 Hey guys. I'm currently using W&C English bridle & Chahin English Bridle for some strap work, but I'm looking to move to a leather that is a bit drier. The only thing is that I'm looking for leather with a pasted back and that is relatively clean. Any good sources? I know I can custom order a skirting leather from W&C and ask for a pasted back but I'm trying to avoid spending as much on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted September 30, 2021 8 hours ago, Gulrok said: Hey guys. I'm currently using W&C English bridle & Chahin English Bridle for some strap work, but I'm looking to move to a leather that is a bit drier. The only thing is that I'm looking for leather with a pasted back and that is relatively clean. Any good sources? I know I can custom order a skirting leather from W&C and ask for a pasted back but I'm trying to avoid spending as much on it. I use Tokonole by spreading it on the back and rubbing it in really well. There is a glass slicker out there that is super nice, but super pricey. I don't have one of them. I just smear on the tokonole and rub it in really good with by bone creaser. It essentially slicks the back of the leather to super smooth. Check out this video by Fischer... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tugadude Report post Posted September 30, 2021 Here's a slicker at an affordable price... https://www.goodsjapan.com/leathercraft-glass-slicker-burnisher-for-smoothing-leather-12cm-x-9cm-x-0-8cm_20820_42276?ReferrerID=7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike02130 Report post Posted September 30, 2021 (edited) Like the Preacher-man said, Tokonole. Buckleguy.com sells Wickett & Craig bridle leather panels and shoulders with a pasted back in different weights. Zach White sells undyed veg-tan shoulders with a pasted back, too. I've been happy with the ones from Zack. Buckleguy is sometimes hit and miss, depending on what part of the hide they're cutting the panel from. Edited September 30, 2021 by mike02130 punctuation Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted September 30, 2021 2 hours ago, Tugadude said: Here's a slicker at an affordable price... https://www.goodsjapan.com/leathercraft-glass-slicker-burnisher-for-smoothing-leather-12cm-x-9cm-x-0-8cm_20820_42276?ReferrerID=7 Nice find. Thanks for sharing. Do you have one? I thought the ones I've seen were 1/2" thick. This looks to be less than 3/8" in thickness. Should still work okay though, right? If that's the case, I may go by my local glass shop and see if I can get a scrap piece smoothed down from their discard pile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tugadude Report post Posted September 30, 2021 43 minutes ago, PastorBob said: Nice find. Thanks for sharing. Do you have one? I thought the ones I've seen were 1/2" thick. This looks to be less than 3/8" in thickness. Should still work okay though, right? If that's the case, I may go by my local glass shop and see if I can get a scrap piece smoothed down from their discard pile. No, I don't own one. Just posted that to help others. The projects I've smoothed on the back were small enough that I just used my bone folder. But I can see how efficient the glass would be on larger pieces of leather. Better control and consistency too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted September 30, 2021 (edited) I have one of those glass slickers but find it very limiting. Only an edge corner can be used. Mine cracked and chipped on one edge, a glass fault line. I smoothed that and when I went to buy a new one for a spare and saw the prices I went looking for glass paper weights. I now use a couple of glass paper weights which I got for about £1 each. One is a flat block about 2cm thick by 107 mm by 65 mm. Top side has rounded corners. The other weight is a flat disc about 70 mm diameter by 2 cm thick, top is flat but the edge is rounded. Both are easy to hold. With these the whole top can be used, covering a greater area You can often find glass paper weights at charity / thrift shops for only £1 or a $1. I've ended up with a selection of them, not all for leather work tho edited to add; for smoothing the back of leather I apply beeswax, rub it well in with a cloth then burnish it smoother with one of my glass paper weights and some of my glass paper weights I got these three for under £5, of these I use the block at front and the round one top right A flat topped disc shaped one. Fits the hand nicely and does a fine job of burnishing, Cost me £1 + some postage Edited September 30, 2021 by fredk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gulrok Report post Posted October 1, 2021 It looks like Zach White & RJF leather also has some English bridle.. I think I need to assess it. It appears to have a pasted/finished back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squilchuck Report post Posted October 2, 2021 Weaver used to sell a veg tan w pasted back. Never bought it, but check them out. -John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YinTx Report post Posted October 2, 2021 On 9/30/2021 at 9:56 AM, PastorBob said: Nice find. Thanks for sharing. Do you have one? I thought the ones I've seen were 1/2" thick. This looks to be less than 3/8" in thickness. Should still work okay though, right? If that's the case, I may go by my local glass shop and see if I can get a scrap piece smoothed down from their discard pile. I have one of these, been using it for years with no issues. it seems ymmv tho. YinTx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
