Form Fitting a Leather Sheath

[iamonespfn]

How do you do it?? I have a Fort Turner Trapper hawk and made my own leather sheath but I want to form fit it. Do I just soak it in water and let it dry or something?? For those with experience some answers would be much appreciated. Thank You.

-Ron

 

[singteck]

Are you using vegetable tanned leather? If yes, then just wrap the knife up in cling wrap, wet the sheath, place the knife in the sheath and then shape the leather around the knife. Leave the knife in the sheath to dry for one or two days.

That should do it.

singteck

 

[iamonespfn]

I'm not sure if its Vegetable tanned or not. Its commercial leather so I would imagine the tanning process was mostly chemical base, I'm not too knowledgable about all of that though. Is there any special process for chemical based tanned leather. I'll try the suran wrap wet shaping though.

-Ron

 

[cutter17]

I would not soak it too long, just get it damp and to the point where you can manipulate the leather like you want it. Once completely dry you might want to treat the leather with something, or just wax it really good with some Ren Wax or Johnsons Paste Wax.

 

[Cougar Allen]

 

[Ray Allen]

For what is worth, I bought a custom knife from a maker who told my his secret was to do the wet molding twice with hot water both times, letting it dry in between. Has worked for me ever since.