Wanted Someone to make leather handles

[Spiderman317]

Hi, I need some thick leather handles for the boxes that I make.
Approximate size is 1/8"thick x 1 1/4" wide by 8"-10" long with slots.

Willing to pay or trade for them.

Let me know, Mike

 

[Loyalist Dave]

PHOTO of what you need ?

LD

 

[Spiderman317]

Hi, I get these off the web and they have served me well. I had a customer complain a little that the edges are sharp and the back side is rough and unfinished.
They are both of these.
Do you think you can improve on these two issues? If so, how much per handle would you need? I get these for $8 ea. and that includes shipping.

I could pay a little more if necessary or trade for a box.

I understand completely if you don't want to mess with this. I only need a few of them at this point.

Thoughts?

Thanks, Mike

 

[Loyalist Dave]

No, sorry, those are machine made. I only do hand work.

LD

 

[Brokennock]

Can anyone help Mike, Spiderman317, out? Even with advice on how to dull the edges and make the rough interior feel better? His wood shooting/range boxes are excellent. I have one and wish I could get a couple more, they are good for far more than muzzleloading stuff.
I agree with Dave that these are machine made, this is probably the best way to make what Mike needs in the quantity he needs them, so, how can he easily fix the issues with them? Burnishing?

 

[Kabulrocks]

I’m not sure about the underside roughness, but the edges can be sanded to knock off the sharpness.

 

[damy2128]

You can soften the sharp edges by burnishing. Get some saddle soap and a small piece of very smooth hardwood. Wipe a small amount of the saddle soap along the edges then rub briskly with the hardwood. Don’t press hard. You want the speed to generate a little heat. This will seal the edges with the added benefit of softening the sharpness.

For the rough underside, get some beeswax. Place the leather rough side up, cover with a towel and warm it by running a hot iron over the towel. Once it is warm enough to melt the wax, rub the beeswax directly into the leather, smooth any lumpy spots while still warm. After it cools, use your hardwood burnisher to smooth and remove any excess wax.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You can soften the sharp edges by burnishing. Get some saddle soap and a small piece of very smooth hardwood. Wipe a small amount of the saddle soap along the edges then rub briskly with the hardwood. Don't press hard. You want the speed to generate a little heat. This will seal the edges with the added benefit of softening the sharpness.

For the rough underside, get some beeswax. Place the leather rough side up, cover with a towel and warm it by running a hot iron over the towel. Once it is warm enough to melt the wax, rub the beeswax directly into the leather, smooth any lumpy spots while still warm. After it cools, use your hardwood burnisher to smooth and remove any excess wax.

That's some good info, thanks

LD

 

[Wade]

I usually lightly sand the back with 320 grit or 220 and it makes it feel like soft Suede no kidding it does.