Beeswax edge-burnishing

[Skeeter Lewis]

Hey, folks - I'd be grateful for any tips on edge-burnishing with beeswax. Does it need to be mixed with anything to make it softer and flow better? Does it have to be heated? Step-by-step advice gratefully received. Thanks in advance, pards. Skeet.

[Slowhand Bob]

I tried it fer a spell and was using it plain or with small amounts of paraffin melted in.  Mostly I just use gum tragacanth now days but it does seem a fair softer than I remember the wax being.  When the edges are really dressed out close and neat, I do not miss the wax and its better fill qualities.  If anyone knows how to contact Kid Galahad(?) he might be willing to give up the Bianchi secret formula.  If not you might try Duke, the 'Bushes Best Recipe' dog. 

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Hey, folks - I'd be grateful for any tips on edge-burnishing with beeswax. Does it need to be mixed with anything to make it softer and flow better? Does it have to be heated? Step-by-step advice gratefully received. Thanks in advance, pards. Skeet.

      Skeeter, I use the bees wax just as it is, hard, after you have smoothed your edges just take the bees wax and rub on the edges, after that use a rub stick,rubbing heats the wax and makes it get into the leather, you're actually burnishing the wax into the leather, and when you are through rubbing it will get hard again as it was when you started, I don't want anything in it to make it softer, because it would tend to rub off later on, I use a tine of deer antler and also a small block of wood and a 3/4 to 1" piece of dowel and I wrap and glue a piece of blue denim to it , like off some old levis I glue this to the wood , it makes a real good burnishing tool, but I find I use my deer tine most, don't use the wax until your done with all your finishing, it works great and will give your leather that finished look and added protection from the elements.

                                                     Regards

                                                tEN wOLVES 

[Springfield Slim]

I just rub in on and burnish it with a stick I got from Hidecrafters. I have also used denim, but the stick makes for a shinier look.

[will ghormley]

Hey Skeeter,

Like Ten Wolves said, rub in on hard.  I go a little different route with the burnishing though.  I have a section of brain-tanned deer hide I use to burnish with.  It gets it plenty hot to melt in.  Also, the wax gets into the deer hide to, so you've always got somethin' goin' there.  I also use it to burnish down the backs, especially of saddle parts.  I wad-up the hide in my fist and really work the wax in.

I use organic bee's wax.  The fact that bee's wax fight mildew and mold is an extra plus, (that's why I like it for saddles).

Will

[Skeeter Lewis]

Thanks guys. Great info.

[outrider]

If I remember correctly Bianchi mixed his bee's wax and parafin 50/50.  I use a piece of old denim (blue jean) to burnish...works well and really heats up the wax.

[TN Mongo]

Outrider is correct.  Bianchi mix is 50/50 bee's wax and parafin.  I've used it and just bee's wax, as mentioned earlier.  I really can't tell the difference in results.

[Flinch Morningwood]

I have 3" round peice of maple with different size rounded grooves cut into it that fits in my lathe.  I crank it up at a medium speed and moisten the edges of the leather with water and burnish with the wood.  After that, I rub a piece of hard beeswax over the edge and then back to the wood on the lathe...

Seems to work pretty well.