Despite my best efforts I still can't get what I would consider a perfect edge.
I know for functionality's sake it probably doesn't matter, but I still feel myself wanting them to be as close to perfect as possible.
Would anyone consider their edges close to perfect? Anything else that you do aside from Phil's technique?
My edges are good, but I still get tiny little bubbles or lines, and if I keep adding edge paint it just builds up and is a little unsightly.
I've had fairly good luck using a pin to pop bubbles, though it is definitely better to catch them earlier and push them off.
If I find that I have bubbles in an applicator bottle, before applying paint, I turn the bottle upside down to let the bubbles float away from the tip, then squeeze the first bit of paint onto a rag to make sure it is flowing without bubbles, then take it to the leather. During that session of painting, keep the bottle tip down or you have to repeat the process.
Instead of shaking, I try avoid putting bubbles into the container of paint. Method 1: Stir gently. Method 2: With one hand on top of the container and one on the bottom, I turn it almost on its side and gently rotate it like a spinning wheel. Both approaches take longer than shaking but have worked well for me.