Thread: fixing leather

I have a latigo with slight bumps in the leather. They're from a natural weal in the leather, but they seem raised enough to make me want to not strop my razors on it.

Is using a pumice stone on the leather recommended? I experimented on another piece of leather but it turned out quite rough (this is a bathroom/footscrub pumice). Is one supposed to use the pumice in conjunction with oil or water (as in honing)?

How well does latigo work with diamond paste? Is balsa is recommended for the diamond instead?

Don't know much about pumice - never used it. People here often talk about using pumice on strops... I have sanded strops though: 1000 - 1500 - 2000 grit wet / dry. You have to make sure all the particles are removed from the leather when you are done.

This sanding thing is NOT recommended unless one is advanced, from what I hear. I did it on a strop that I could ruin and not regret it too much. Turned out fine, works great now.

Having said this - wait for the response for one of the stropmeisters

Cheers
Ivo

thanks izlat. bumping the thread..

Nichhel,

I have no experience with pumicing leather but if the latigo strop is one of mine just let me know and I'll take care of it for you.


Tony

No Tony, not one of yours :-)
But if I can't figure out how to put diamond on latigo, I'll be looking for a 2-sided paddle

Nichhel,
I know at least one member has put diamond paste on my Latigo but since Amplex pastes are water based I didn't think it would stay on as it should. he reported good results though.

Tony

you would need a good flat hard piece of pumice not the bathroom quality that crumbles. Classicshaving.com sells some that seem right for the job.
Pumice and lather treatment should work ok to remove the bumps just don't go overboard on the water. Follow this up with a good rolling with a bottle to even the surface. You may need more than one attempt to get the desired result.

PuFF

Since this thread was written, the leather has warped completely and has come off its magnetic backing. So it looks like it's not worth saving. In natural materials I guess you win some, and you lose some!

But I'd like to address this question to Tony: in the hanging #1 strop of yours I have (latigo leather, fantastic piece!) there is a similar weal, a single lighter, whitish colored stripe that runs across one end. But, it is perfectly flat and below the surface.

As a leather person, do you know where this weal comes from? Do cows have stretch marks?

Also, I tried Amplex on one of the strops Wojtec is selling out of Poland -- it never really "soaked into" the leather, and stropping on it feels as though it's spoiling the edge.

Is it because of the water base that you use diamond on balsa? I think a balsa/leather two sided bench hone might be an ideal "carry-around" piece of kit.. off to check the WSG store.

Maybe you can add some oil to that piece of Latigo, set it between two books...and wait a week to have it flat again....thenn you can glue it again to the magnetic strip......

I think you can save that piece of leather....

Nichhel,
Yes they do actually, lots of stretch marks. This is one of the largest reasons I reject the hides I get. It is nearly impossible to get perfectly smooth leather so smaller dips below the surface are sometimes used if I feel they don't detract from use or appearance. They could possibly move a bit with humidty and be more or less prominent. if you feel this one is an issue I'll gladly take care of it for you.
Do you have a photo?

As for the latigo is is oily by nature (or by manufacture actually) and will occasionally not glue well. This is why I often worry when I hear of guys taking saddle soap or water to my paddles. I know my glue will hold 99% of the time but have no idea how it does if wet, etc....

We do are best but it's not perfect. I made up a dozen 4 sides a month ago that just didn't take paste properly because the tannery slightly changed what they did to the leather. I'm glad I tried them before shipping but we all have thing like this.

I'm sure your bench hone could be easily fixed if you contact the maker.

Tony

Take care,
Tony