Do you dress the inside of your sheaths?

Mudbug007

Mudbug007

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Nov 29, 2010
Messages
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I thought it was an acceptable practice to use something to dress the inside of leather sheaths. I usually use Mink Oil, Neetsfoot oil or Leather Balm. Whatever is closest at hand. But recently I was told that the inside of the sheath should not have nothing on it.

Since I imagine all my sheaths getting used outside, I would believe they need all the protection they can get.

Do you, or do you not, apply some type of sealer/dressing to the inside of the sheath?
 
I've only been making sheaths for a short time now, but I use the same as you mention above. On the last sheath I made I use Doc Martin's Wonder balm. It has coconut oil in it and makes the sheaths smell great. :)
I heat up the sheath just a bit with a hair dryer, then rub a large amount on the inside before glueing and sewing it. Then heat it up with the hair dryer again to get it to soak up the beeswax. I also do the same to the outside.
I thought it was normal practice. I'd also like to hear what the veteran leather workers have to say about it. It seems to make sense to me if it is used outside at all to increase the longevity of the leather. I would think that the leather could still "breath" with the dressing on the inside as well. I had read somewhere that coating the leather inside and out with a harder epoxy type coating would prevent the leather from breathing and dry it out.
 
Yep, I use Fiebings Leather Balm with Atom Wax (the long name) On the insides of all my sheaths.

I usually do a good rub down with Gum Tragacanth if its a sheath with the flesh side on the inside, then Wax. Like with pouch type sheaths. :)
 
I have started rubbing all my sheaths with neatsfoot oil very liberally before dying, and I no longer dye the insides either.
 
Mudbug, any more answers would just lead to confusion and possibly infusion of misinformation. You have had all good answers so far, especially posts 3 and 4. I happen to leather line everything I make ,but whether you line or not it's a good idea to seal the interior with some good product, and everything named so far fits that bill.

Paul
 
Apologies, I don't mean to hijack this thread. But, if a sheath is sealed from the inside and then stitched, can it still be wet formed? I'm just curious and may build another sheath soon. This is something I'm just unsure of.
 
I've never sealed a sheath and stitched it before wet forming, but I think as long as water can get into the leather from the outside you could probably wet form it. I'm guessing its probably not optimal, but I'll let someone with more experience chime in. I seal the inside after wet forming, before stitching so I can access the inside to coat it well with the beeswax mix.
 
I wet form, set up stitching, let dry, glue up, set my holes, dye, seal inside and out (With Montana Pitch Blend) glue up again, and stitch.

TF
 
Most of my fixed blade sheaths I ever made had rawhide on the inside that covered the blade so I sort of take care of the leather as much as I can since I don't have to worry about the blade rusting, getting wet, neatsfoot on it etc.
 
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