Shoemakers Polishing Bone

Object/Artifact

-

Waterperry Museum

Shoemakers Polishing Bone

Shoemakers Polishing Bone

Name/Title

Shoemakers Polishing Bone

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.746

Description

Short smoothed piece of bone, mostly likely cow bone. Also known as a 'burnisher', 'boner' or 'sleeking bone'. A very old and indispensable tool still used today.

Context

"Bone-Smoothing: One of the most traditional and skilled techniques in the shoemaker’s toolkit is bone-smoothing, typically performed with a polished deer bone or similar tool. This step involves gently rubbing the bone across the leather surface to press down minor wrinkles and refine the wax layer into a continuous film. The unique texture of the bone allows it to glide over the surface without scratching. Especially effective on cordovan or heavily waxed calfskin, bone-smoothing creates a near-glass finish that machine tools cannot replicate" FEIT Shoemaking Techniques.

Cataloged By

Felix Lam

Category

Saddlers, Shoemakers, Cobblers

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Source or Donor

Gordon Dempster

Acquisition Method

Transfer

Dimensions

Width

20 mm

Length

120 mm

Weight

26 g

Material

Bone

Location

* Untyped Location

C8S3

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Web Links and URLs

FEIT , The Shoe Museum, Northampton, UK