Do You Really Need an Electric Leather Edge Burnishing Machine? When It’s Worth the Investment

Whether you're crafting belts, straps, or handmade bags, edge finishing is one of those steps that can feel either meditative—or a serious time sink. At some point, especially if you're handling batch orders, you'll probably ask yourself: should I go electric?

In this article, we’ve gathered real feedback from Reddit, Facebook groups, and workshop experience to help you figure out whether an electric burnisher is right for you. No sales pitch—just practical info, thoughtful pros and cons, and some numbers that may surprise you.

Who Actually Benefits from an Electric Burnisher?

One Reddit user nailed it:

"I've been making a whole load of belts recently... I'm slowly realising I need a leather burnishing machine."

If you're producing belts, watch straps, bag handles, or cardholders in any kind of quantity, manual burnishing can wear you down. That’s where electric machines come in—they save time, reduce fatigue, and help you keep edges consistent, batch after batch.

But not everyone is rushing to switch:

"Personally, I like hand burnishing. It's therapeutic and makes each piece feel more special."

And that’s valid. For many small-scale crafters, hand burnishing is part of their identity. This really comes down to your pace, volume, and goals.

Hand Burnishing vs. Electric: Let’s Talk Numbers

A leatherworker shared in a Facebook group:

"When I have to finish a whole batch of belts, I rely entirely on my electric burnisher — there’s just no other way to get through it."

If your workflow is deadline-driven or you’re looking to grow your production, the saved minutes add up fast.

Why Vulcan? A Simple Upgrade That Makes Sense

We’re not here to sell you something you don’t need. But if you’ve decided to switch to electric, Vulcan is a great place to start.

This tool isn’t bulky or complicated. It’s a thoughtfully upgraded version of older models with real improvements:

• Aluminum body and cover — no more plastic parts that crack or wear out

• Iron gears inside — far more durable than the rubber gears in past versions

• Compact and lightweight — easy to fit on any desk or shared studio space

• Adjustable angle — cleaner edges across different strap widths and styles

• Stable and smooth — less shaking, better control

It’s also beginner-friendly. Just plug in, adjust the angle, and you’re good to go.

Is It Worth It? Let’s Be Honest

If you're:

• Running a small workshop with consistent orders

• Doing leatherwork as a serious side hustle

• Tired of wrist pain from manual burnishing

• Ready to boost your daily output without overcomplicating your setup

Then yeah, it's worth considering. But if you’re only making a few items a month or genuinely enjoy the meditative part of hand-finishing, no shame in sticking with what you love.

We're not here to tell you what you should do. We're here to help you decide what works for you.

And if Vulcan happens to fit into that plan—it’s ready to go.

About CÍ

CÍ is a boutique store for leathercraft tools, built by makers, for makers. We work with respected independent tool designers and also produce our own tools in-house at our factory. From hot stamping machines and chisels to sewing ponies, skiving tools, and precision knives—we’ve got everything to support your leatherworking journey.

We ship globally, and we’re in it for the long haul with long-term customer support and tools that genuinely hold up.

References

• Reddit. (2023). r/Leathercraft: Discussion on electric vs manual burnishing. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft

• Facebook Leathercraft Community. (2024). User feedback on Vulcan and other burnishing tools.

• Leatherworker.net. (2022). Workshop productivity tips & tool reviews.