Favorite Sheath Leather?

[Bob Lyon]

What leather do you all like best for sheaths and why? How about thickness?
Thanks. Bob

 

[Ed Caffrey]

9-10 oz Oak tanned for smaller scabbards, and 10-12 oz Oak tanned for larger one (anthing with a blade 6" or more). Oak tanned leather contains no chromatic acids, and therefore will not tarnish/corrode hardware. It is also very moldable, and takes stains and finishes better than chrome tanned leathers. Oak (or vegtable) tanned leather is routinely more expensive, but is well worth the cost.
I use the heavier weights simply because it disgusts me to see a really nice knife with a poorly done, or flimsy scabbard.

------------------
Ed Caffrey "The Montana Bladesmith"
ABS Mastersmith
www.caffreyknives.com

 

[Michael_Schaap]

I used vegtable tanned leather for mine and am very pleased with the results. Dont know much about the different kinds but may try another kind for my next one just because

Michael

 

[tom mayo]

gotta agree with ed....its oak finish, vegetable oil tanned.....both of these guys are talking about the same thing....best for wet forming.

 

[EricElson]

I use 9-10 oz vegitable tanned leather,
Great stuff for Wet forming.DITTO what every one else has said.

L8R

 

[Alberta Ed]

Dunno if it's vegetable tanned or not, but I use what Tandy leather shop calls "latigo." I think it's often used for saddles and tack. Very dark, quite thick, moulds well. All my CS knives ride in new sheathes, along with the Mora blades with remounted handles. (The plastic handled beaters from Mora live in the cheap, ugly, but effective black plastic tubes they come with.)