Can a leather sheath cause scratches on a blade?

[knife chop]

Hello,

I wanted to know if a leather sheath can cause scratches on a blade similar from a kydex when small grits of rocks gets in the sheath? i made a kydex with a pretty good clearance between the blade and kydex and when small rock particulates got into it, it made scratches on the finish of my knife. i wonder if leather would be the same.

 

[sheathmaker]

The answer to your question is YES. Any sheath made of any material, if allowed to become contaminated on the inside with rock, gravel and other debris will generally cause a knife blade to become scratched.

The equally obvious remedy is to keep the sheath cleaned out after and even perhaps during each use..

Paul

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Not in my experience, but I defer to Paul. I made a kydex sheath and it scratched the crap out of the handmade knife I made it for, granted I did it without much skill. I do believe that the small grit that can damage a finish between hard plastic is minimized by the nature of the sorter material.

This topic has gone on and on, around and around with no real consensus that I've seen. The argument is usually about how to eliminate the damage when using kydex. Cleaning is the most often recommended fix, but for me it's unreasonable considering how I use my knives. I cannot wash blade and sheath each time I use them. For the most part I'm fine with scratches, but I'll not use kydex in the cases where I do care. The other option is to buy or make a kydex sheath with a great deal of skill and excellent fit. Making a world-class kydex sheath is beyond my experience and skill, buying one is not the best option for me.

I dig kydex, I love leather. Both excel in different areas, but it's clear (to me) that leather is inherently better in regards to scratches.

 

[byoffcr]

Paul is 100 percent right. It will scratch the heck out of a shiny blade. KT

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Paul is 100 percent right. It will scratch the heck out of a shiny blade. KT

I think it's important to make the distinction between the circumstances where scratching is likely. Personally, I believe it's far more likely with a kydex sheath, where under the same circumstances it's far less likely with leather.

The finish on the blade (shiny/mirror polished is clearly more susceptible) as well as the leather itself will play a role, just like the construction of either sheath will.

The first knife I made had a fairly polished blade and the sheath for it has never scratched it.

Forgive the sheath, it was only my second.

Again, just my opinion, but I stand by it.

 

[David Brown]

The answer to your question is YES. Any sheath made of any material, if allowed to become contaminated on the inside with rock, gravel and other debris will generally cause a knife blade to become scratched.

The equally obvious remedy is to keep the sheath cleaned out after and even perhaps during each use..

Paul

10000% dead on, Thank you Paul

 

[knife chop]

Thanks for the input guys.