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Little tip: Give er a try!

Horsewright

Horsewright

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
13,479
This was something I came across by accident. I've done it twice now and the difference is significant enough this will be my standard way of proceeding from now on. What I'm talking aobut is edge finishing or rubbing of your edges. Traditionally a product called gum traganath has been used in leathercraft to help smooth out the edges. You applied this wet to the edges and then rubbed. The gum helps flatten down and slick the edges. Sometime back I tried a new product called Wyoming Quick Slik from Sheridan Leather Supply. I liked this so much better I tossed my remaining gum away and have used this stuff exclusively ever since. I'm on my 4th quart so can recommend it pretty strongly. But, that is not what this is about. Its about how to use it.

When doing sheaths I would put it on the edges 3 sheaths at a time. Thats what is going on here:

3Rsz7TK.jpg


The Quick Slik is in the old pepper jar. I apply it with a foam brush and then keep the brush with the jar using that rubber band around the jar. Get lots of uses out of that one brush. So I'd brushed up 3 and was just getting to ready to rub the first one and the phone rings. I end up talking with the customer for quite a while and all my Quick Slik had dried when I'm done. So I paint it on again and rub it and wow! I was already getting very bery good edges but this technique bumped em up again. That was a few weeks back.

Well that happened again. Exactly the same way, phone call again. So I ended up doing a whole batch that way: putting on a coat letting it dry, recoating and then rubbing. Didn't even take that much time. I still put it on three at a time. By the time I got done with the 3rd the first was ready for its recoat and rubbing.

So I did all these:

fTdhASG.jpg


Ang got em done.

NpovRFa.jpg


What I found is that I get a more uniform burnish, more consistent color the whole length of the edge and a higher gloss. Just smoother. If I had to put it into numbers say you were happy and getting what you considered a 10 on your edges; doing it this way gives me a 12 or 13. Now I will still put two coats of Bag Kote on the edges as a finish. But I'm liking this might give er a try.
 
That is a lot of good looking leather Dave. I am glad to hear some old dogs can still learn new tricks! :) Thanks for sharing.
 
Horsewright, A little off topic, but what are you using as a bar grounder? I haven't found one nearly that big. Thanks, Randy/rtmind
 
Great tip Dave! I gave up my Saddle soap (for the most part) after trying Wyo Quick Slick from Sheridan Leather. I've found the following to give me glassy smooth edges: Dye your edges if desired (and let them dry). Wet edges with water, burnish with my cocobolo drill press slicker to get things started using Quick Slick, burnish again using Quick Slick with heavy canvas, let it dry a little, hit it with 500-600 grit sand paper (this is where things start to get really smooth and glassy), then go back with your finger and rub a little saddle soap (white paste from the tin) on top. Once everything has dried and remains glassy smooth, I seal with another Sheridan Leather product called WyoSheen which is a lacquer based sealer. I have found no better way of doing it thus far and have tried a lot of edging methods and products. I'm going to have to try your dry time and multiple coat method, that is very interesting!
 
Another interesting find I made recently on edges... I used to use a lot of Edge Kote and always found it to be sub par over time regarding cracking, flaking, rub off on clothing, etc. Recently on the suggestion of a well known belt maker, I bought some Zach White's Manuel Edge Ink which is basically a thicker Edge Kote type product. I'll be darned if it isn't super durable, doesn't tent to crack and flake, and no rub off on clothing. I also found that a person can use WyoSheen over the top of it for even more gloss and added durability. I still try to go with dyed edges and the lacquer finish whenever possible but the Zach Whites is far superior to Edge Kote. I'm not familiar with Bag Kote. Might have to give it a try too.
 
Thanks for posting your findings, Dave. I just finished up a holster for myself last night. Reviewing my work today and looking to make it better next time, I realized my edges needed more. This will help. I burnished Fiebing's USMC Black dye with a deer bone just before it dried completely. It worked pretty good. I usually used the Gum T. Those sheaths look great!
Doug
 
Thanks guys!

rtmind that is a Barry King 45-09.

Gadsen that really is it. We got to keep trying different things I think, can't get stuck in ruts. Mt pretty much on the same page. I rub all the edges first while damp, just prior to wet molding, then wet mold, bake and then let em sit on the counter overnight. Next morning is when I do the Quick Slik. Those that don't know I use a turned rosewood stick in a wood lathe set on warp drive to rub the edges.

Stick in pics of your holster Why Waltz, like to see.
 
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21ams6c.jpg
ngdkjo.jpg

Here's some photos, Dave. Tandy 8/10 oz. wet formed for a Glock 19. It has good retention and wears nice. About 15 Degree Cant. Hand stitched. Lined with veg tanned pigskin. Next time I need some leather, I'm going to hit up Wickett & Craig. They're here in my neck of the woods in Pennsylvania.
 
Thats looking really cool. Nice job. Just got off the phone taking an order for a Glock 22 holster. More blueguns. Ya like the Wickett and Craig.
 
Thanks for the tip, I use the GumT stuff but wouldn't mind giving something else a try if it's better !
G2

btw, great looking bunch of sheaths in process there!
 
I've used several places Chris. Don't really have a favorite. Just google blueguns for sale. Holstersmith.com has good prices and I ordered the one for that Glock there Sat.
 
Dave - I guess Barry King is now the company that carries this product.

I went to order some - and saw Wyoming leather is no longer with us. :/

Jason
 
Ye sir Jason. BK bought the rights to Quick Slik and to Wyo Sheen when Sheridan went out of business. I called a why back to order some and they weren't ready to ship yet. Waiting on the labels for the bottles from the printers. Should be up by now. Not on their website give BK a call.
 
Already dropped an email, Dave. Thanks so much. Bruce Cheney on Youtube (an old hand) loves the stuff too - and just did a video. I remembered your post and came back here.

I figure with two old leather benders like you digging it - it is worth a shot!

Jason
 
Yeah I ran out of Quick Slik while they were making the transition. Been using gum since. Want me some more Quick Slik. Let me know what ya find out. Know Bruce.
 
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