Another stropping tip. On the smooth side of the leather, you can use those white poly erasers you find at any store to remove the old polishing compound. It's super easy and you can do it over and over again so you go through less leather.
Top tip for burnishing edges… apply water give it a minute or two to soak in then apply gum trag and use a microfibre glass cloth to burnish. The microfibre glass cloth builds up friction without catching and gives the gum trag enough heat to polymerise. It has to be one of the smooth (ish) microfibre cloths sold for glass / window cleaning as the fluffy ones don’t work nearly as well. Please give it a try, I was amazed by the results.
I bought a press-type refillable lotion bottle for tokenole…literally game changing. Only pump the amount you need and sits on the dish at the top to be used! Seriously, check it out.
Definitely going to try this as I’ve had nearly new tubs of tokonole go bad which is super annoying not to mention expensive. I only use tokonole on chrome tan leathers as I have much better results with gum trag on veg tan.
I'm almost there... been fighting this years flu for 2weeks. Man is it a doozy, starting to feel like a living human and have 2 wallet patterns I've been planning on designing since right before this sledgehammer hit me. Thanks for motivation and tips😊
I started about a year ago, and I find that the tools are affordable, but the leather is expensive. I found an inexpensive bag of different ounces, (thicknesses) of scraps they sell at HOBBY LOBBY to experiment, practice on
I have one of those strop paddles that Tandy sells. Every time I make a belt, I keep the excess length that gets cut off. When the strop gets too nasty, peel it off and tape a new piece of belt scrap on. Only 1.5" wide, but it works. I'm definitely going to try the string polish and burnishing tips
I didn't think I'd like the mini strap cutter, but after breaking a couple of the wooden ones I thought I'd try it. They work a lot better for me. The more traditional strap cutters work fine for thicker and stiffer leather, but I work a lot with thinner and softer bag leathers so the plastic strap cutter actually works better for me. I haven't done it yet, but for the thicker veg tan, I'm seriously considering investing in a plow gauge.
I use Buckleguy's BG Setter Hand/Foot Press to punch my rivets. I find that the punch leaves a mark in the plastic base that I can use as a guide to center my rivet and make a perfect center hole.
I too, also thought the strap burnishing method was just the normal way to do it by hand. Usually use a cotton glove though for it, easier to control. It can also be a great way to burnish the back of a strap if you apply some tokonole/gum to it (I usually prefer gum)
I'm just getting into leathercraft, but one I learned from a buddy: (in vein of 'DIY or Die') making punches from a set of spade bits. Just clamp em in ur shop vise, angle grind the notches/teeth for punching holes in the leather. They're cheap, very durable (never gona ruin them), stay sharp, and you can custom-size your teeth for bigger or smaller holes. Only downside is time making them (but that's fun), and they max at like 4-6 teeth: if you want a leather punch w/ like 8-10+, best to just buy those...but otherwise they're legit.
Another stropping tip. On the smooth side of the leather, you can use those white poly erasers you find at any store to remove the old polishing compound. It's super easy and you can do it over and over again so you go through less leather.
Great tip
Top tip for burnishing edges… apply water give it a minute or two to soak in then apply gum trag and use a microfibre glass cloth to burnish. The microfibre glass cloth builds up friction without catching and gives the gum trag enough heat to polymerise. It has to be one of the smooth (ish) microfibre cloths sold for glass / window cleaning as the fluffy ones don’t work nearly as well. Please give it a try, I was amazed by the results.
Amazing tip
I love these types of videos. I always come out of it learning something new, thank you for making this we appreciate it!
I bought a press-type refillable lotion bottle for tokenole…literally game changing. Only pump the amount you need and sits on the dish at the top to be used! Seriously, check it out.
Definitely going to try this as I’ve had nearly new tubs of tokonole go bad which is super annoying not to mention expensive. I only use tokonole on chrome tan leathers as I have much better results with gum trag on veg tan.
Do it, it’ll change your life!
I got mine from a cheap Chinese app so…get 2!! One toke, one gum!
I'm almost there... been fighting this years flu for 2weeks. Man is it a doozy, starting to feel like a living human and have 2 wallet patterns I've been planning on designing since right before this sledgehammer hit me. Thanks for motivation and tips😊
Thank you for making this.
That strap burnishing tip is genius. I don’t know why it never occurred to me before.
Thank you for the tips and tricks. I like the strap burnishing one.
Love the strap burnishing tip (and the others are really helpful as well)
Just starting out in the world of leather craft so thanks for sharing. Learning something new every day. Cheers
I started about a year ago, and I find that the tools are affordable, but the leather is expensive. I found an inexpensive bag of different ounces, (thicknesses) of scraps they sell at HOBBY LOBBY to experiment, practice on
Great tips! Better than I expected too!
GREAT INFO, THANK YOU FOR SHARING !!
Great tips! Always helpful to get another point of view.
Thanks, in the planning stages of a leather satchel and these tips will definitely be put to use.
Thanks for sharing.
I have one of those strop paddles that Tandy sells. Every time I make a belt, I keep the excess length that gets cut off. When the strop gets too nasty, peel it off and tape a new piece of belt scrap on. Only 1.5" wide, but it works.
I'm definitely going to try the string polish and burnishing tips
Great tips. Thanks!
I use the back side of the leather as a strop with compound, move over to an area without compound, then finish on the smooth side.
I didn't think I'd like the mini strap cutter, but after breaking a couple of the wooden ones I thought I'd try it. They work a lot better for me. The more traditional strap cutters work fine for thicker and stiffer leather, but I work a lot with thinner and softer bag leathers so the plastic strap cutter actually works better for me. I haven't done it yet, but for the thicker veg tan, I'm seriously considering investing in a plow gauge.
I use Buckleguy's BG Setter Hand/Foot Press to punch my rivets. I find that the punch leaves a mark in the plastic base that I can use as a guide to center my rivet and make a perfect center hole.
I too, also thought the strap burnishing method was just the normal way to do it by hand. Usually use a cotton glove though for it, easier to control. It can also be a great way to burnish the back of a strap if you apply some tokonole/gum to it (I usually prefer gum)
Fantastic set of tips! Thanks man!
Nice video, easy to watch and neat thanks!
I'm just getting into leathercraft, but one I learned from a buddy: (in vein of 'DIY or Die') making punches from a set of spade bits.
Just clamp em in ur shop vise, angle grind the notches/teeth for punching holes in the leather.
They're cheap, very durable (never gona ruin them), stay sharp, and you can custom-size your teeth for bigger or smaller holes.
Only downside is time making them (but that's fun), and they max at like 4-6 teeth: if you want a leather punch w/ like 8-10+, best to just buy those...but otherwise they're legit.
Thank you, it is grate!
For your strop you can remove the old compound with an eraser. I use the bigger eraser's. (about 1"x 2" eraser).
I may just buy one of those mini strap cutters!
what is the name of equipment for cutting leather?
Where to get that thick punching block?
🌎👍❤
Wait, are we not supposed to wash off the polish compound off the leather? I would just clean the leather when it gets covered.