My Leather Burnisher Doubles As A Vampire Stake

Leather BurnisherA viewer suggesting making a leather burnisher. I was excited at the suggestion as it is another idea to exercise the eccentric faceplate system. Many would leave the blade as a cone or flatten it on a sander. To me, however, it was an opportunity to take the eccentric faceplate system for a spin.

This burnisher is made from cherry about 10 inches long; the bade is about 6 inches; the handle is about 4 inches. The handle contains four grooves to use to burnish edges of leather pieces: 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inches. It is finished with beeswax and mineral oil.

After turning the handle and its grooves, I shifted the axis by 1/4 inch on the blade end by shifting holes in the faceplate. With the burnisher now turning off center, I turned a taper on one size of the blade, then sanded the blade.

Then I shifted the axis by 1/4 inch the other way and turned a taper on the opposite side of the blade. Sanding the blade is a challenge because I could not touch it directly. I sanded with long strips of cloth backed sandpaper.


2 Responses to “My Leather Burnisher Doubles As A Vampire Stake”

  1. Paul Dale says:

    Allan, would you share your recipe for bees wax/Mineral oil sanding paste ?
    tHANKS, pAUL

    • Alan says:

      My recipe came from Eli Avisera – his take was 75% mineral oil to 25% beeswax.

      I’ve interpreted this as:
      1 pt mineral oil
      4 oz beeswax (1/4 of standard 1 lb brick).
      Cut up wax into the mineral oil. Heat in a DOUBLE BOILER (no direct heat to wax) until the wax melts.
      Cool somewhat but pour into a suitable lidded container before it hardens.
      This has yielded a soft paste.
      Enjoy!
      Alan Stratton