Can a leather sheath scratch a blade?

[rlewpolar]

Just received a Lionsteel M1 and the blade came inserted in the leather sheath. It’s a rigid, tight fitting sheath. I took the blade out and one side was badly scratched. I am 99% sure that this was a used blade and the outfit I bought it from is accepting a return after I showed them a picture . But it got me wondering, can a leather sheath scratch the finish of a blade? The blade in question is M390 steel with a satin finish. I would think that no way that a leather sheath can scratch a well made blade but what do I know? . I do know that kydex can scratch a blade. Is it possible that leather will also?

 

[killgar]

I don't believe leather could scratch steel. There could have been a piece of dirt/sand/grit stuck in the leather, and that scratched the blade.

Same goes for kydex. I don't believe kydex could scratch steel. But if there's dirt in a kydex sheath, even fine dirt/dust, that can scratch steel.

 

[kafolarbear]

To add on to killgar, neither kydex nor leather should scratch steel. The difference is if sand or dirt gets in the sheath, it's gonna be pressed harder against a knife in a kydex sheath than a leather sheath and therefore will more likely create scratches.

 

[parfums95]

I had the sheath once on a knife blade that had been greased to protect it from rust or oxidation, a tiny debris had gotten on the blade stuck to it by the excess fat.
STRIPE