Getting a mirror shine on your leather edges

[Alan]

Burnishing edges takes a lot of patience and the right kind of friction to get the glossy look we love. It tested my patience. A LOT of it. I use a bit of water or gum tragacanth and a wooden slicker until the edge starts to heat up and darken. I notice some people use canvas cloth for the final buff because it creates a very smooth finish. So far, it's the best way to make a handmade wallet look like a luxury item. How long do you spend on your edges and do you use wax at the end?

 

[don thugz]

I used to think a rough edge was just part of the handmade look until I saw someone achieve a glass finish with just wood and water. But now, I think sanding it with higher grits up to a thousand is the real secret before you even touch the burnisher. If you do not get it smooth with sandpaper first the slicker will never give you that shine. It is a lot of rubbing I tell you but the way it feels in your hand is worth the effort.

 

[realt@lk]

Do you use a motorized burnisher or do you like the control of doing it by hand?

 

[Alan]

I used to think a rough edge was just part of the handmade look until I saw someone achieve a glass finish with just wood and water. But now, I think sanding it with higher grits up to a thousand is the real secret before you even touch the burnisher. If you do not get it smooth with sandpaper first the slicker will never give you that shine. It is a lot of rubbing I tell you but the way it feels in your hand is worth the effort.

Lotsa rubbing, I agree. You have to take your time.

 

[Alan]

Do you use a motorized burnisher or do you like the control of doing it by hand?

I try to learn thing by hand first before using any machine. Do you use motorized one?