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Breaking in a crk slip case
- Thread starter VVilliam
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2005
- Messages
- 7,425
I can tell you what I do and I can tell you it usually works very well, although the leather used in these slip cases varies a lot and the results vary accordingly.
First, warning: do not do this with a wood inlay. Some are stabilized and essentially water-proof, but not all, and you don't want to find out the hard way.
What I do (YMMV):
Soak the leather. It will take some time. Open it up and fill with water. Run water on the outside. It will take some time to get it gently but thoroughly damp.
Put the knife in the case. Think about which side you want the clip on and which side of the case you want to line up with the flat side (if not an inlay knife).
Put the knife and slip case into a ziplock baggie.
Arrange a foam sandwich consisting of approximately 1" open cell foam and approximately 1/2" closed cell foam in a vise. You want the open cell foam pieces next to the leather, backed by the closed cell foam. If the vise jaws are not tall enough, back the closed cell foam with boards and use clamps to keep the boards parallel.
Close the vise. Be judicious. You want a lot of pressure on the leather, but you do not want to crush the clip or do other damage to the knife. If you are a habitual Yeti, stop reading and go to the next thread.
There is art, judgment and experience here. If in doubt, use less pressure; you can always lather, rinse and repeat. 
Depending on how thoroughly you dampened the leather and how much pressure you used, an hour or two in the vise will be enough. Remove and let dry overnight.
I have done this a dozen times with great results, but YMMV. Be careful, you are working with a +$400 knife.
First, warning: do not do this with a wood inlay. Some are stabilized and essentially water-proof, but not all, and you don't want to find out the hard way.
What I do (YMMV):
Soak the leather. It will take some time. Open it up and fill with water. Run water on the outside. It will take some time to get it gently but thoroughly damp.
Put the knife in the case. Think about which side you want the clip on and which side of the case you want to line up with the flat side (if not an inlay knife).
Put the knife and slip case into a ziplock baggie.
Arrange a foam sandwich consisting of approximately 1" open cell foam and approximately 1/2" closed cell foam in a vise. You want the open cell foam pieces next to the leather, backed by the closed cell foam. If the vise jaws are not tall enough, back the closed cell foam with boards and use clamps to keep the boards parallel.
Close the vise. Be judicious. You want a lot of pressure on the leather, but you do not want to crush the clip or do other damage to the knife. If you are a habitual Yeti, stop reading and go to the next thread.
There is art, judgment and experience here. If in doubt, use less pressure; you can always lather, rinse and repeat. Depending on how thoroughly you dampened the leather and how much pressure you used, an hour or two in the vise will be enough. Remove and let dry overnight.
I have done this a dozen times with great results, but YMMV. Be careful, you are working with a +$400 knife.
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2012
- Messages
- 4,587
Ive accidently dropped mine in the kitchen sink and was completely soaked.
I stuck a rolled up paper towel inside to get as much moisture out as possible.
Next morning it seemed fairly dry, so I stuck the sebenza in there and carried it.
it darkened and formed a nice sebenza shape into the leather. Also got a bit more stiff which keeps knife in the leather much better.
I stuck a rolled up paper towel inside to get as much moisture out as possible.
Next morning it seemed fairly dry, so I stuck the sebenza in there and carried it.
it darkened and formed a nice sebenza shape into the leather. Also got a bit more stiff which keeps knife in the leather much better.
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2008
- Messages
- 1,348
~ If this doesn't make sense forgive me but I'm heavily medicated right now.
If the knife has wood inlays I wrap it in Saran Wrap, if Micarta I just go to town on it. I moisten the leather with my fingertips, but I don't soak it. Basically I dip my fingers in water and massage the sheath around the knife. It will instantly start to take form. As it dries the leather will shrink and show the definition of the knife more. To get the lines exact and distinct I use a bone creaser I've made and any other random tools that can get into the nooks and crannies of the knife. It usually takes about 3 times of lite wetting and rubbing with the creaser and drying but thats it. I've used a blow dryer, a heat gun and a space heater to speed the drying process along but none give better results over the other. Even air drying works the same for me. Thats it. Like JNewell I've probably done this to a dozen or so sheaths and they all get the same results. I've supplied pics of the different stages so you can see...
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. If I take forever and a day to respond forgive be but I've got a health thing Im trying to get through and spend most of the day sleeping recently. Hodo can attest that normally I move pretty quickly but lately everything is at a stand still.
If the knife has wood inlays I wrap it in Saran Wrap, if Micarta I just go to town on it. I moisten the leather with my fingertips, but I don't soak it. Basically I dip my fingers in water and massage the sheath around the knife. It will instantly start to take form. As it dries the leather will shrink and show the definition of the knife more. To get the lines exact and distinct I use a bone creaser I've made and any other random tools that can get into the nooks and crannies of the knife. It usually takes about 3 times of lite wetting and rubbing with the creaser and drying but thats it. I've used a blow dryer, a heat gun and a space heater to speed the drying process along but none give better results over the other. Even air drying works the same for me. Thats it. Like JNewell I've probably done this to a dozen or so sheaths and they all get the same results. I've supplied pics of the different stages so you can see...
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. If I take forever and a day to respond forgive be but I've got a health thing Im trying to get through and spend most of the day sleeping recently. Hodo can attest that normally I move pretty quickly but lately everything is at a stand still.
Ernie1980
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2012
- Messages
- 8,104
No pictures, but my cases have molded nicely to the shape of my knives without wetting and forming them- they do it naturally over time. Now they don't look like the ones that Fro has, but you can see a nice outline even with the knife out.
Ajack60
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2013
- Messages
- 8,476
That's what I'm thinking ^^. My work sheath has gotten wet from sweat and is formed to my 25 quite nicely. I also use the same sheath for my Umnumzaan. The others are starting to form to the CRK in it. I am starting to see the pocket clip form. It may be a slow process, but I don't mind.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,850
The way Froochie does it gives you a very obviously formed (and secure) fit. You can do it much the same way one might deal with kydex to get various results too. You can get a more natural "pocket formed" look to a crsiply formed look. The leather is usually pretty soft on those CRK slips so don't use steam or heat as it will hassle the leather. You can also wrap the knife in a layer of cling film to keep it dry during any wet forming. 