A freshly cut leather edge is rough and fibrous. A few minutes of rubbing with a slicker compresses those fibres into a smooth, hard, polished edge. It looks better, wears better and won’t fray.

This slicker has four grooves, so you can match the groove to your leather thickness, from slim wallet edges up to thick belting. It’s light and sits comfortably in the hand.

How to use it

1. Bevel the edge first (an edge beveler takes the square corner off).
2. Dampen the edge lightly, or apply gum tragacanth or a similar burnishing agent.
3. Pick the groove that fits your edge snugly.
4. Rub it back and forth firmly and quickly. The heat from friction does the work.
5. Keep going until the edge goes smooth and starts to shine.

Specs

• Material: wood
• Grooves: 4 sizes
• Size: approx. 15 × 3 × 3cm
• Weight: approx. 25g

Posted from the Riverina
Packed and sent from our workshop near Wagga Wagga, NSW, with Australia-wide shipping.

FAQ

What is an edge slicker used for?
It burnishes a cut leather edge by friction, polishing it smooth and sealing the loose fibres so the edge lasts.

Do I need anything else to burnish leather edges?
You’ll get the best result if you bevel the edge first and use a burnishing agent like gum tragacanth/saddle soap or plain water. The slicker does the polishing.

Which groove should I use?
Use the one that fits your edge snugly without squashing it. A thin edge in a wide groove won’t round over properly.

Does it work on chrome-tanned leather?
Burnishing works best on veg-tan leather. Chrome-tanned leather generally doesn’t burnish well and is usually finished with edge paint instead.