How Does He do That?

sorry, the finishing part that i’m talking about is more in the middle of the video

About 1:45. That looks interesting. Something electric, maybe burnishing?

All i know is, it looks really nice when it’s done!

You’re referring to the hand tool? He’s probably got very hot sand in the skillet. He’s sticking his iron in it to heat it up and burnishing the leather with it.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

It appears that there is a wax of some sort in the pan he keeps putting the iron in.

-- Chris

Dave has it partly right… It looks to me like the tool is heated electrically (see the cord it is attached to?), which by itself would produce a nicely burnished finish. (I remember/know this much from my bookbinding work.) But it looks like his secret sauce is some form of wax in the skillet which is what gives it that mirror like sheen. The varying colors are produced (again from my bookbinding work) by varying the contact time of the burnishing iron with the leather.

Disclaimer: It’s been thirty years since I did any leather binding work, though I have been recently studying it again because I’m taking up bookbinding again.

-- Derek, Bremerton WA --

Interesting process.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

The wax on the iron makes sense.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

I’ve been a leather worker for 40 years. I mostly make belts that are worn and treated roughly. The finish I use is carnauba wax just buffed on. I would say he is “burnishing” it in as you would with “spit shinned” boots like in the army.

I put leather on this box shown here to take an otherwise boring box in turn it into something special. Now if my customers would agree.

-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)

The heated iron and wax make the process much easier. I have burnished some of my pieces with friction heat (rubbing a cloth hard/fast enough to create the interesting tones) but that is quite a workout. I personally don’t go for a “patent leather” look on my pieces so I don’t have experience with the glass look but wax makes sense. I most enjoy the carving on the leather.

This is a guy who does WONDERFUL leather boxes. I have had to call him for tips on occasion. http://www.petermain.com/

-- David, Florida