Slicking edges

[Boothill Bob]

Howdy pards..
What metod do u use to slick the edges on belts and holsters?? I have tryed varius metods, canvas, foly edge slicker and a rib from a moose (the best)... I use the round poly slicker on a drill, but its hard to slick heavyer leather
All the metods except the drill is taking some time.... So, how do U do it
//BhB

[rickk]

I bevel the edge with an edge beveler suitable for the weight of leather i question.

Then the leather gets dyed.  The item gets assembled. Sometimes a bit of extra edge work is needed after assembly (trimming excess). Edges are sometimes touched up with a beveler again and a bit of dye goes on spot that had work done to them.

Gum Tragacanth goes onto the edges needing to be slicked. I then round the edges, usually using a nylon pulley of the type sold py many leather houses. If the item in question is to thick for the pulley (a holster seam  for instance, I use a flat nylon edge slicker or sometimes I just use the outside edge of the nylon pulley.

Most of the time, I am done at that point.

I have been known to then apply edge-coat to the edges, depending on what it is and what look I am trying for.

On seams that do not line up quite perfectly even after working it over with gum tragacanth and a boning tool, I have been known to rub a beeswax cake over the edge to fill in the seam gap and then rub it with a paper towel to heat it and work it in.

Rick

[Dave Cole]

I first sand the edge down to about 400 grit on my variable speed sander, then I dampen the edge.From there I used to use my deer antlers and still do alot, but KT sent me a Cocobolo Burnisher that mounts in one of my drill presses.That puts on a glass smooth edge on, and faster too.Dave

[JD Alan]

A couple of years ago i took a holster class put on by Bobby Rose at the Portland Oregon Tandy. Bobby had us dampening the finished edges, then rubbing Fiebings saddle soap bar on the edges, then slicking with a piece of canvas. I've been doing it that way ever since and it works well. The soap bar is about 5 bucks and lasts a long time

Thanks for that tip Bobby, and I hope to see you in Bend at the State SASS match next month. 

[TN Mongo]

A top leather guy on another forum uses a method similar to what JB mentioned.  He suggests wetting the edges, then applying Fiebing's Glycerine Saddle Soap and then burnishing.  I finish with this method using a wool felt wheel on a drill press.

My edges turn out well because a spend a lot of time before burnishing.  I like to use a bissonette edger and then I sand my edges, if needed, down to 600 grit sand paper.  On a heavy welt, I'll use a sanding drum on my drill press, but on most stuff, I just do it by hand.