cracking while wet forming (PICS ADDED)

B

BChou-E29

Joined
Dec 4, 2009
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503
Hey guys.

I just finished my second knife and for the past week I've been slowly putting together a sheath between school and work. It is a one piece (minus the welt) fold over pouch sheath.

Today, I wet formed the sheath and folded it over. Here's the catch. After folding it, I noticed the top grain of the leather, especially along the ends of the crease, started to split open though the rest of the hide underneath remained intact. Mind you the leather was still wet at this point.

My question is there something I'm doing to cause this? Also, will this compromise the integrity of the sheath?
 
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Surface cracks wont compromise the overall strength of the sheath, though I am concerned why it cracked. It is odd, I dont remember it happening to me before, but I could be wrong. I have had the surface split a little if I try to bend dry leather too much.

I'd wear it and watch the crack, if it gets worse you can at least make another. :)

Question: What part of the hide are you using? ie, shoulder, belly, butt, etc.

I hope this helps and I will help as much as I can.
 
That's a new one on me too...I've never seen wet leather crack, even when I clamp a fold.......

I'm assuming it's veg tanned cow hide.....?
 
I'm not 100% on what part of the cow it's part of since I got it secondhand but judging by the size of the hide I'd say its the shoulder. It's also veg-tanned.

Here's some pictures so you can see what we got going here...
05132011500.jpg

By echo29 at 2011-05-14
05132011499.jpg

By echo29 at 2011-05-14

The hole in the second picture was drilled. Could that have caused the crack?



Hehehe we got a joker :D
 
Drilling wont cause that.

The leather does look rather dry. By dry I mean there seems to be a lack of conditioning to the leather. Even when wet, dry leather will crack. The surface of your leather may be somewhat brittle, you might try some good leather conditioner on it. That may not be it, but its worth a try. :)
 
I'd agree. I would think that the leather is just dried out and though you've wet it, the moisture just isn't getting into the top layer. It's got the "powdery" look to the grain. You could oil it but then you might not be able to retain the shape as well. I'm not sure but it might be too late for that leather. I tried oiling an old rifle sling that was cracked like that (it was from 1916) but it never really fixed it, just kept it from getting worse.
 
Interesting...I never would've thought the leather was too dry when I got it since there was actually mold on some spots.

I used some leather conditioner and neatsfoot oil and there's no more new cracks forming. The leather sucked it right up so I guess you guys were right. Thanks a lot for the help everyone!
 
BChou-E29 said:
Interesting...I never would've thought the leather was too dry when I got it since there was actually mold on some spots.

I used some leather conditioner and neatsfoot oil and there's no more new cracks forming. The leather sucked it right up so I guess you guys were right. Thanks a lot for the help everyone!
Click to expand...

That might have something to do with it as well. Leather that has been moldy can be ruined/rotted.
 
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