Can I soak/shrink/tighten an off-the-shelf sheath to better fit a knife?

[Bob Ohlemann]

First time venturing into the sheaths forum. I am new to knifemaking and have my hands pretty full just learning how to make knives for now. I just placed an order for materials from Texas Knifemaker Supply and decided to throw in a off the shelf leather sheath that seemed close to the right size for the knives I'm currently making. My question is, can I soak and form a completed sheath to better form to a knife? If it is something that can work, what is the best way to go about it? This is the sheath.

Bob

 

[mykel m]

Yup,it can be done,it's called wet forming.

Here's a couple of videos on how to....

[video=youtube_share;aXZLf4wkxog]http://youtu.be/aXZLf4wkxog[/video]

I would protect the blade & tang with a moisture barrier & plastic wrap like the guy in the first vid.

[video=youtube_share;glzFgMHlr5Y]http://youtu.be/glzFgMHlr5Y[/video]


[video=youtube_share;ohQMb6jNJ9E]http://youtu.be/ohQMb6jNJ9E[/video]

 

[Bob Ohlemann]

"Wet forming"...those were the magic words I needed to search for this! Thanks, looks like it's a pretty effective technique.

Bob

 

[harronek]

I'm biased but my suggestion would be to make a sheath for your knife yourself . It is great fun , not that difficult ( unless you want it to be ) and in my opinion all part of the knife making process .
A sheath like you have shown above is well within a first time sheath makers grasp
Have a go .

Ken

 

[Bob Ohlemann]

I'm biased but my suggestion would be to make a sheath for your knife yourself . It is great fun , not that difficult ( unless you want it to be ) and in my opinion all part of the knife making process .
A sheath like you have shown above is well within a first time sheath makers grasp
Have a go .

Ken

I'm sure I will make some sheaths, just not yet.

Bob