BURNISHING LEATHER (HOW TO) - finish edges of leather tutorial

Burnishing leather is one of the most important parts of leather working. Burnishing takes your project form something that looks homemade to something that looks handmade. This video teaches you how to burnish leather with bees wax, water, and gum tragacanth. I also show you 3 differnt tools commonly used to burnish leather, a hand burnisher, a dremel burnisher, and a burnishing wheel.
WEBSITE
roseanvil.com/?aff=17
SUPPLIES and EQUIPMENT
Compounds
-Gum Trag - amzn.to/2H04Zuv
-Beeswax - amzn.to/2oQqUNr
Tools
-Dremel Bits - amzn.to/2CZpyom
-Hand Burnisher - amzn.to/2oKlT9G
-Tool Kit - amzn.to/2CYPrEX
-Sandpaper - amzn.to/2oJDnmJ
QUESTIONS
Have a question about this video or the process? Post in comments section of this video!
INSTAGRAM
/ rose_anvil
MUSIC
More content on the way!

[@sanguinegaze]

I know this is an old video but it is still incredibly useful for beginners like me. Thanks for making it!

[@furrdogg6973]

The best, to the point instructional on the youtube EVER. Great job, thank you so much!

[@essjayem6498]

Best video so far on the process. Simple, succinct and pleasant to listen to and learn from. Thank you.

[@lenp00]

Short, sweet and to the point. Great video, thanks!

[@tree2paper]

Finally someone who’s personality is calm and not like making me stop the video. Short videos are gooooood!! Thanks!!

[@jorgetorres-mora9403]

Great explanation, best in KZbin, thank you so much for your time!

[@rachelmalmgren7925]

Love this. I would love to see more how-to videos, for leather, metal, and woodworking - any of the skills you are proficient in. I would love to see the different steps in how you make your wallets/rings (or if you know how to make those cool sandals you and Rach made that would be sweeeeeet)

[@tomalan2207]

Thank you for the clear and to the point explanation

[@SalvageWorkshop]

Great tips! I enjoy your videos!

[@richhemmings]

Thankyou for explaining the "why" rather than just the "how" in this video. I'm about to attempt my first leather work project and found it very helpful!

[@joesteele581]

Your audio in newer videos are soooo much better. I never noticed until coming back to older videos again.

[@alphaviews4639]

You look like a hippie version of this guy that cuts boots in half.

[@RoseAnvil]

Ha ha you’re not wronf

[@timhill788]

Alpha Views that was the first thing I thought of

[@dr.gwendolyncarter5048]

Thanks! Really appreciated the covering of several types of burnishing. 😁

[@houseofflava7614]

Absolutely excellent direction. I was able to burnish my leather earrings all 3 way and I like the gum tragacanth best too. I also brought renaissance crystalline wax polish, nice finish as well. TFS. I'm a newbie and will be hanging around for more videos.

[@eleveri11]

Super helpful! Thank you for posting!

[@Futwea]

Nice, detailed video. I burnish my edges with water, bee wax and hand burnishing tool. It does the job for me 😊

[@zerga1212]

does this work with chrome tanned leather?

[@miltonjasso5843]

awesome , thank you for your time

[@ShavedCheetah]

I enjoy videos about how to make unique rings.

[@iamu2247]

This deserves more likes

[@HaftasonuAtolyesi]

Nice work! I also use same technic, very useful.

[@abbymacdonald5247]

I love all the colored stone rings!! Maybe some cool stone earrings or something??

[@TheChetOne]

Hey Rose, Could you do a video on different types of leather edge finnishing (natural burnish, dyed burnish, edge paint, folded edge), compare them in looks, longevity, cost (material price and time spent)?

[@hellangel28]

great video, thanks! also thanks for supplying amazon links

[@natalialeipay]

I needed this like two weeks ago. Fml.

[@juanramiroescobar]

Great tutorial

[@therebeccaeffect]

I would like to see more leather how to videos. How to do stitching and designs, and a video on how you make your bracelets would be cool too.

[@mckennahales1892]

Super interesting! Don’t know if you know anything about custom tooling on leather but would love to see that if so!

[@Dreamlineleather]

Great informative video

[@valentinejohnson3687]

Super useful, thank you

[@TerraPace]

I'd love a tutorial on how to make a ring like the fossilized coral one you made a little while back!

[@britthunter1408]

I’d love to see how you make any rings with stones!

[@yubidubi]

Great video

[@russellpeterson9216]

Good call on the psa for pinning your hair back! I had a kid in my shop class who did not listen to the instructor while using a drill press. He had a permanent bald patch the size of a silver dollar and a goose egg front and center right at the hair line.

[@LahmiB]

Thanks for this.

[@011volleyball]

I would love some videos about your ring making process. Including where you find all your stones! Also your hair is beyond epic- let me braid it.

[@vincentmercier8595]

let me braid your hair... lol

[@leticiarachaeldiffee6730]

Thank you very educated!

[@metalheads228]

Thanks so much! I'm a chainmaille artist, but I've been playing around with making leather cuffs and adding the chainmaille to them. They would benefit from burnishing, right?

[@milenaweston1673]

I’d love to see the making of a turquoise ring!

[@lindareeves3674]

Where did you get the burnisher for the dremel? Thanks for the video.

[@deagle50ae]

Bro, your hair is MAJESTIC! in these older videos

[@XX-mw1lz]

hello, do you think that the wood tool also works well for burning the edge of calfskin or just leather? thank you

[@raindralive]

Awesome, but what if i do wood burnishing with gum transcend? Or otherwise?

[@gilmorebell7318]

It would be awesome to see how you make rings with stones in them!

[@listillolordoc7604]

I’ve never used anything but water and I’ve done this professionally for 20 years. I’m not knocking this, I am looking to learn different methods. One of the things I build is leather armor and accessories for LARPers and Renaissance Faire goers. A lot of the time, the 12oz plus leathers I’ll cut with a band saw. This will leave a very jagged edge. I edged bevel it, wet it and burnish it. I use the 2” wheel burnisher Tandy sells. I put a 1/4-20 screw with the nut threw it, and stick it in my drill press. If you’re only burnishing one piece of leather, sanding it is an unnecessary step. The burnishing process doesn’t take any longer if left un-sanded . I only find sanding to be a necessary step if it’s multiple pieces that are fairly uneven.

[@kaylawalker9359]

I second the how to on cat products! That would be super cool!

[@cleopatraselene1]

Hi, the water is working as the wax? And when it dries or after a while the fibers are not getting messed again?

[@trent_morrison]

You better WURK!!! Loved your face :)

[@ryanmcewen415]

I usually pre burnish with ether Aussie conditioner (it has wax in it) it gives a really nice slick burnish. Or I'll use water. Then. After its dried. I'll burnish again with gum trag. If I really want to go overboard though. I'll finish up on top of the gum trag with eco flows edge flex clear finish. Just to add a really high shine and protective finish to my edges. But that's only for high wear items like shoulder straps.. Most items dont need it

[@bowsicraft3]

I've seen some people do the gum with bees wax after, is this recommended? It is it better to do one or the other?

[@BrosephRussell]

Awesomeness 👍

[@aktanakhmetov]

Watched this video after a few months being subscribed. Boy was I surprised to see that long hair )) I thought what a change overnight but then i looked at the date of the video.

[@neetypeety]

I'm new, so this was a very informative video. Thanks for the tip and link to burnishing rotary bits; I would have never know of them otherwise. Question: how would you clean them, if there came a time?

[@jameswyatt5859]

These tools don't need to be cleaned.

[@jameswyatt5859]

One word ... TOKONOLE. That is a game changer when it comes to burnishing leather edges and the flesh side. Oh, and a glass burnisher. Good video, but I recommend an updated version that includes tokonole and a glass slicker. MHO :-)

[@GabrielLima-mi4br]

Wow I watch Rose Anvil videos for some months and suddenly YT recommended me this Rose Anvil video presented by this hippie

[@shela373]

Id like to see more ring making tutorials

[@barbarahobson-whiting9184]

new at this but do you trim the edge before or after you dye the leather??

[@bodeine454]

I'm curious as to which holds up better and longer between the gum trag and beeswax. A commenter on Etsy said that the gum trag was crusty. I'm going to be burnishing some leather for motorcycle grips and fork/tool bag and some other things. Wondering which one would be best in this application? Anyone?

[@daug1783]

Lmao I just saw this for the first time after watching all the more recent videos. I don’t know he had long hair. Cheers 🍻

[@joeofnotrades]

I take it you can use any of the tools on any of the materials, not only in the order you showed?

[@GorillaWithAPhone]

So many tools!

[@bananapotatonaaa]

does the gum trag provide water resistance?

[@diribastabasta]

can you use water on a cowhide leather?

[@hopeindirect4165]

Well well well some nice tips and things to learn here, when I put on ma leather, and rock to sum Metallica, Delta Parole, Foo Fighters or the Smashing Pumpkins I feel like I can do anything in the whole wide world.

[@dieuxroux]

You're not ready for this one. I'm a pro pool player and the tip we use at the end of the pool cue is made of leather. Layered or laminated leather to be more exact. What glue is used between the layers? No clue. Anyway, when we finish the installation, we burnish the sides of the tip - usually that's made with the cue spinning on a lathe. Most old school cue makers use a little bit of spit (or water) and a leather piece to final burnish the sides of the tip. It absolutely leaves a slick, mirror-like finish, but since the cue often comes in contact with the pool table cloth, the burnished barrier doesn't last much time and the tips tends to fluff up. What would you, dear leather experts, recommend for burnishing the sides of the tip so it last as long as possible. Thanks for your consideration :)

[@latetodagame1892]

I think this video went over my head. Can I just get wax and a burnishing stick and make a nice edge?

[@Aysha470]

Helloo! Thank you a lot for the video! I have a question though. Right now i have a Black Edge Kote and Gum Tragacanth. So, do I need to dye the edge with the Kote before I burnish it with the Tragacanth or after? Also, do I need to apply any other finishing on the edge after the Tragacanth?

[@jameswyatt5859]

I usually bevel and burnish the edges, then dye, if I'm going to dye.

[@mr.pham0us412]

What’s that cloth at the end called?

[@AmirhoseinHerandy]

Oh my god, look at that magnificent hair :D

[@AwesomenessJessica]

How to mix mediums

[@_BLANK_BLANK]

Man. The hair is so different. I can't get over it. Anyway great video!

[@biasanto]

I have this same machine and I’m struggling to find this wood part that goes there. Where did you buy yours? It has a wide part. Mine are is all small if I glue 3 pieces of leather together I can’t use my machine. Where did you buy that wood part?

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

@Bianca Read, if you're asking about the tapered, handheld wooden piece, you can buy them from Tandy Leather Factory, either online our in one of their brick-and-mortar stores. If you're talking about the one mounted on the buffer's spindle that looks like somebody glued four wooden sewing thread spools together, then it's possible he turned that one on a lathe, himself.

[@biasanto]

I was actually asking about the wood attached to the machine. I can’t find anywhere for sale. I would need one probably custom made for me.

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

Bianca Read I deleted my last comment because I just found somebody who makes these types of Burnishers that are not only functional, but absolutely beautiful as well! Pro Edge Burnishers at www.proedgeburnishers.com The Cocobolo ones I saw are simply gorgeous.

[@juleeaelliott1131]

Teach us how to grow our hair as luscious as yours.

[@olivepressdesign]

Water, Gum tragacanth and bees wax. Rinse and repeat. :)

[@d0uble_O]

lol

[@1959Berre]

The trick is "patience".

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

@@1959Berre Yep, that's how I did it too, and it's working for me.

[@romneyallen5743]

Show us turquoise inlay!

[@Meirjolanknits]

Where did your hair go? Wow! #goals :D

[@ulogy]

He scalped himself.

[@kmake8321]

👍

[@rachelhowell4600]

Or a wooden pet gate!

[@rachelhowell4600]

I want to see more cat products! 🐈🐈

[@1959Berre]

If ever your hair gets caught by the spinning machine... ouch!

[@MrBottlecapBill]

Do not burnish until the end! Burnishing compound will prevent dyes from penetrating and will ruin all your projects! I learned this the hard way because nobody in any of these videos tells you that important fact.

[@PianoMan2501]

I'm a newer subscriber, and I've gotta say, dude! The hair!!! The short hair looks nice too, but you really pulled off the long hair

[@BombproofCraftsman]

Bruh, that hair 😂 oh how the times have changed

[@rsmith155]

chamois is pronounced "Sham-ee"

[@40ozbounce18]

Is this the same person?? 🙀

[@galvanizedgnome]

Is this hair real

[@veshtitsaaudioworks8736]

"It's free cause it's water"

[@beijingbikinikill8608]

I thought Jesus was supposed to be a carpenter, not some leather buff

[@torreselantillano]

DANG bro, you looked like Jesus.

[@yutaadi]

whoaaa.. didn't know u had a long hair. Looked more like props attached to the beanie. Wrong focus here.

[@RoseAnvil]

ha haha

[@juanzambrano2944]

Thought it was a completely different person until you started talking

[@AlexanderMason1]

tokonole is WAY better than gum tragacanth.

[@eemo2093]

Poor technique man. Too much force if the edge is not crisp straight any more.

[@vorshack8968]

A few notes. You shouldn't burnish with a rotary. They don't have a low enough speed setting so you'll have to be extra careful and will still probably screw up at some point. Never use your fingers to apply gum, it WILL get on the surface of your project. Use a sponge instead. Water burnishing doesn't last nearly as long as the other two methods and doesn't look as nice. If you're going to hand burnish with wax or gum then use a piece of canvas, not that crappy handheld tool. Sanding sponges are best for hand sanding. Auerllcy brand is the best bang for your buck. A one inch sanding drum is all you really need, and the surface will rotate slower than a larger one at the same speed setting. I mention this because if you buy the inexpensive burnishing machine on Amazon you'll have to replace the junk sanding drum that comes with it. Which is accomplished by mounting a "drill chuck adapter for 5/16 inch shafts". Okay, I guess that was several notes. I suppose the moral here is never listen to hippies, they are too chill to give proper advice regarding professional standards.

[@SSQUAC]

Damn

[@vorshack8968]

@@SSQUAC Hope it was helpful ;)

[@landonmerrifield8639]

No joke grow the hair back out my dude!!!!

[@migranthawker2952]

PLEASE get rid of the awful background "music". You commentary is enough, it doesn't need anything else in the way of sound!

[@Sick1982]

This!

[@thevarietyshow7777]

​@@Sick1982Cut that stupid hair, too.

[@aimizuki]

Absolutely! It's annoying!

[@citizentuck]

Haha woah I haven't seen this guy with long hair lmbo