Finish a sheath with beeswax...

D

Drummertist

Joined
Jan 16, 2011
Messages
93
I'm making some sheaths for my hatchet and trail hawk with VeggieTanned leather (8-9oz). I went to Tandy and got the leather, artificial sinew, snaps and beeswax, but forgot to get Gum Trag or any other finish. Of course Tandy's is an hour away so I don't want to make another trip just for that.

Is there a way to finish a sheath (edges and sides) with just beeswax?

Thanks! BTW...that beeswax smells GOOD. I wanna eat it!
 
Yup, I use it for edges at times. Sand the edges nice and smooth after the sheath is finished then rub the bees wax in and buff. If you have a dremel use a buffing wheel and it comes out great. You can do the same on the surface of the leather. Some people use melted beeswax to soak the leather but I have never done that. You can also seal the inside of the sheath with bees wax but if you're gluing a welt in make sure to leave room around the edge with no bees wax where the welt goes for the glue.

Regards

Robin
 
Thanks a ton Pipeman! I do have a Dremel tool with a buffing wheel so I'll give it a try. I read somewhere that after you rub it on, you can heat it up with a blowdryer to "soak" it into the leather. Would this help anything? Should I treat the inside with beeswax as well?

Once I finish the sheaths I'll post pics and stuff of how I made em.
 
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Drummertist said:
Thanks a ton Pipeman! I do have a Dremel tool with a buffing wheel so I'll give it a try. I read somewhere that after you rub it on, you can heat it up with a blowdryer to "soak" it into the leather. Would this help anything? Should I treat the inside with beeswax as well?

Once I finish the sheaths I'll post pics and stuff of how I made em.
Click to expand...

Hi bud, Yes a hair dryer will work to soak the wax in. Yes you can do the same. I assume you'll put a welt in for at least the blade edge so if you wax the inside leave room without wax to glue the welt in first. If you want to email me I'll give you some tips as to patterning before you start, it will help.
Are you going to dye the sheath?
songofthewoods@hotmail.com

Regards

Robin
 
As far as dying goes, I'm probably going to leave it natural.

Here's my spec drawing for my Trail Hawk...it doesn't show it, but it'll have a belt loop in the back like in the 2nd pic, but single instead of double.

I'll have to tweak it as I work on it especially on the part that wraps around the poll.
EDIT: If anyone wants to use this diagram for yourself, I don't mind. It won't "infringe my copyrights". ;)

It'll work kinda like this one I found on another forum...only more form-fitting.
 
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Hi bud, I've seen that pattern before, looks good. One thing, do all the cutting then glue the welt in on one side and then lay the hawk in to make sure it fits nice and snug and that you can put it in and out of the sheath when it's sewn together. Mark the welt width on the inside of the leather with the hawk blade so you have the inside mark to lay the welt on then cut the welt a tiny bit wider so you have a little to sand down to the sheath sides. That will help get the whole welt area nice and smooth when you are finishing it with bees wax. Use a fork to mark a groove for stitching by running it around the edge and then use the fork for marking the spacing of the stitching.

Regards

Robin
 
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