My aunt told me to always use a bone folder on damp leather, but my last project got ruined

Honestly, I was working on a custom journal cover with some veg tan from Tandy and tried her tip after wetting the leather to tool it. Ngl, the folder left these weird shiny marks that wouldn't fade even after it dried completely. Has anyone else had this happen with certain leather types?

4 comments

4 Comments

skyler_white952mo ago

Oh man, that's the worst. Veg tan can get those weird plastic-y shines if you press too hard when it's wet. I stick to light hand pressure with a plastic burnisher now, it doesn't bite in the same way.

henry_webb6815d ago

Bone folders are overrated for veg tan honestly. Wood spoon all the way.

lee_grant9715d ago

Man, I've been there too with that weird shiny streak problem. Took me forever to figure out it was the bone folder leaving those marks on certain veg tan batches. Wood is just way more forgiving, lets you work the leather without fighting it so much. I keep a few different wooden spoons in my shop now, one for wet molding and one for slicking edges. It's one of those little tricks that saves you from ruining a good piece.

noahbaker2mo ago

Ugh YES, that exact thing happened to me with a belt I was making. I used a bone folder on damp leather and it left these permanent, slick streaks that looked awful. I think some leathers just have a finish that reacts badly to pressure when wet. I switched to using a smooth wooden spoon handle for molding when it's damp and it works way better.