Edges 101

[Oregon Bill]

I have been reasonably happy with the holsters I have made, except for the edges. I typically sand and burnish with a piece of antler, and the main seam is fine, but the throat edges looks pretty amateur. Anybody know of a tutorial on making professional edges? I know, it starts with a good, clean cut.

[icdux1]

i edge mine and slick with a nylon slicker from tandy, i also use the black edge coat as i think it contrast nicely with the dark tan outside,natural lining and the white thread stiching.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I have a spindle shaped slicker made out of lignum vitae that gets chucked into my 1/4" drill. It has several different width grooves in it that really makes a smooth edge. Can't recall where I got it, though. I just did a search online and still couldn't find it. Second choice would be my short piece of cotton firehose.

[Judge Lead]

Marshal,
You could try a piece of white canvas (say 6-8 ounce, doesn't have to be heavy) instead of the hose based stuff and use Gum Tragacanth. This adds a burnish to the overall finish

I tend to use the nylon stick and water as the 1st part of the slicking process. When that is smooth enough, I go onto the canvas slicking.
I also use a mixture of beeswax/parrafin wax/lambs fat as a sealer/preservative. The ratios would be in the order of 50/30/20 by weight Depends on how I feel at the time. You might also try a sample using candle wax. With the above mix, the lambs fat preserves and the waxes polish and seal.
The major thing with all this is to get some heat built up.

See how ya go.

Regards

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Good tips, there, Judge. I've used beeswax and had fairly good results with that. I like your formula. I'll try it. Thanks.

[Kid Cavalier]

I have found that many materials that are SLIGHTLY abrasive work very well after the edge has been dampened.
I use canvas gloves, I can apply enough preasure without having to worry about losing the material.

(Always bevel your edges)