Good edge

[Red Cent]

The wife introduced me to something. She explained the nuances of the stuff. I took it to the shop and after beveling and sanding a piece of 8-9 ounce, I applied ot to the edge and burnished it on the motor powered burnisher. Great, smooth, shiny edge with a promise to harden that way.
Mod Podge.
"Mod Podge is an acid-free brand of glue produced by Plaid. Mod Podge is useful for collage and decoupage as it can be used both to glue something down and as a protective layer over it (instead of a varnish). It is available in a gloss, satin, or matte finish."
http://painting.about.com/od/artglossarym/g/definition_mod_podge.htm

I have the satin finish. It is suggested that you apply lightly, a thin coat of clear acrylic over it.

Picture is a little fuzzy but you can see the smooth and round edge.

[ChuckBurrows]

The only problem I can foresee is that Mod Podge is not Waterproof and thus it could get ratty looking (peeling off, etc.) fairly quick even from sweat - there is a over spray to make it water proof, but on the other hand Gum tragacanth works great and is water proof so won't peel off and only needs the one item to be used....

[Red Cent]

I have never used GT. The MP is so easy to apply, does not have odor, and "prepares" the leather for burnishing. I didn't sand the edge, just beveled it.  Two layers of leather may present some work.

I am under the impression that GT is messy, smelly, and requires a lot of effort. Again, no experience.

I just read this: "Gum tragacanth is a viscous, odorless, tasteless, water-soluble mixture......."

Am I all wet about GT?

[Graveyard Jack]

GT has an odor but it's not offensive or very strong. It's easy to use and since it cleans up with water, it's not what I'd call "messy". Just wipe it on and start rubbing. I don't even bother wearing gloves when applying it. Takes very little effort to get a clean, slick edge.

[Camano Ridge]

GT is like most things there are people that have nothing good to say about it and would recommend never using it. However I think there are a lot more people that love it and would tell you to use it. Personal experience is the best measure as to if you will like it or not. Its chep enough to give it a try.

[Cliff Fendley]

I buy gum trag in the gallon jugs, that's what I've always used and never found anything I like better.

[Red Cent]

Well then. Next trip to Zack White, I will pick some.

[GunClick Rick]

Back in the 70s i made tons of stuff like this,about 2 blocks from my house there was a huge pile of these grape trays as they were not using them any more so me and my buddies loaded up,they were just going to burn them anyway.We decopuaged everything,i made all kids of stuff out of those trays for drying raisins.

[Massive]

I've got GT, though for now I am not really using it.  I bevel, wet, and rub by hand.  I have tons of machinery, literally, and found I could get a faster better result without the power burnisher, though for volume I would have to work it out.  Once it is done, I apply Fiebrings edge dressing.  So far, so good, I just don't know how long it will last.  I think it is how I did it when I was a kid, and some of that stuff has been around 40 years, but I can't say I remember for sure

One idea I have been toying with, and I would like feedback, is actually finishing the edges.  What we actually do is disguise the fact they aren't finished, by rubbing, gluing or lacquering them.  I have only started on this path, but what if we actually made them radiused and smooth in the leather first?  Any feedback?

[Red Cent]

"....but what if we actually made them radiused and smooth in the leather first?"

Not sure of your meaning. I bevel/edge then sand with soft block to get a radiused edge. Is that what you mean?

[Massive]

Yeas, but taking it to the point where it would not need slicking, essentially wet sanding through more grits.

So after asking about GT and whether I could get away just slicking with water, and then edge treating, I picked up a belt I had hanging over some furniture, and noticed a piece of the edge dressing had fallen off.  That's a new one for me, never in many a moon.  But now I wonder whether I have the right approach.  I want a no call backs kind of thing.  Anyone have a foolproof formula? I'm not about taking short cuts.  I was just using the water approach because it seemed to work so well.

[Red Cent]

SASS shooters destroy a good edge in a matter of a month or so. So it depends on how much use the edge encounters.

These days I simply wet the edge with water and burnish with the motor driven wooden burnisher (dowel rod modified). This gives me a slick, shiny, speckled edge. I usually apply, next, a light rubbing of beeswax and parafin 50/50. Then I seal the leather and edge with 50/50 water/SuperShene.

I would think that the customer would cringe a little when they see a smooth rounded raw edge. And it will get fuzzy pretty quick.

To minimize call backs, use roller buckles .

What is the name of the edge dressing that fell off?

[Massive]

Fiebrings.

Leather finishers do a lot of things that are unusual.  Like use soap to slick edges or wax, then expect dressing to stick. 

The wet rub wax and finish metod you mention is  the one I use though I mostly hand rub now since it seems to work just as well?

[St8LineLeatherSmith]

toilet wax bowl rings work good for slick edges so does the eco flo antiquing gels.