Beeswax impregnation of a big shealth?

[bladerique]

This isn't "raw" leather. Some people say Condor shealths have a "pleathery" quality about it. It is leather I guarantee though; it's just been treated with something.

Here's a pic from the internet:

EDIT: the inside of the belt loop and sheath is not treated.

 

[bladerique]

Shirley someone has experience in beeswax impregnation here?

 

[Bigfattyt]

I have tried nothing like a full dip.

I know at least one maker that does a hot dip in a big hot mes of a mix of bees wax and oil.

I have heated up the sheath and rubbed in a few coats of a combo of neatsfoot oil and bees wax.

Usually, once that is set, I come back over and do a top coat of atom wax over the top.

The atom wax is a liquid, and makes a shiny, firm coat that polishes well.

I have also had good results with just the atom wax, though not sure how well it would hold up to repeated dunking.

For heat, you can use a hair dryer, heat gun (careful) or the oven on a very low setting (I think my oven will do 150 degrees).

I am a hobby maker. Only made about 6 or 7 so far, and just for me.

 

[bladerique]

I have tried nothing like a full dip.

I know at least one maker that does a hot dip in a big hot mes of a mix of bees wax and oil.

I have heated up the sheath and rubbed in a few coats of a combo of neatsfoot oil and bees wax.

Usually, once that is set, I come back over and do a top coat of atom wax over the top.

The atom wax is a liquid, and makes a shiny, firm coat that polishes well.

I have also had good results with just the atom wax, though not sure how well it would hold up to repeated dunking.

For heat, you can use a hair dryer, heat gun (careful) or the oven on a very low setting (I think my oven will do 150 degrees).

I am a hobby maker. Only made about 6 or 7 so far, and just for me.

:thumbup: Thank you. I almost gave up hope for this thread.

 

[Bigfattyt]

:thumbup: Thank you. I almost gave up hope for this thread.

Funny thing is that I just got two Condor knives and am thinking about what I want to do with the sheaths.

I am thinking of trying to wet form the sheath and see if it works. The leather is too flexible for my tastes, but thick enough to be serviceable. I make my own sheaths, so eventually, I am sure I will just replace it with nice 10 ounce leather with a heavy stiff welt (but it just takes me so long to make one).

I am working on a sheath for a 12 inch bladed khukri that is going to make me cry to try to punch and stitch the leather because it is so many layers!

 

[Ebbtide]

Bee's wax is flammable.
Be very careful.
You really don't want to do this over an open flame.

One knifemaker that I know uses a yard sale electric frying pan for hot dipping his sheaths.
One, it lets you regulate the temperature accurately, without over heating.
Two, when done, he just lets it cool and solidify in the pan. No clean up and wax storage all in one.