How to finishing unfinished sheaths:

Robert_Phelps

Robert_Phelps

Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
475
If I were to order an unfinished sheath, from Jantz supply for example, what do I need to finish the sheath? I was thinking of dying it black.

Thanks for the help :)
 
Brush with 100% neatfoot oil or dip until all surfaces covered. Use bag coat then spray with Neatlac and will give you a very nice finish that will endure.
 
In the Charlie Ochs video, he recommends dying it navy blue, then black. If you just use black dye, it may turn more gray...
 
Blue_Dragon said:
When dyeing, do the dyes finish the sheath, or does it need neatfoot oil?
Click to expand...

Some dyes will dry out the sheath quite a bit. Tandy Pro Dyes do that. Love the color but they take a good bit of oiling afterwards to soften the sheath. Otherwise they will be as stiff as kydex.

Oils will always darken the leather some, some more than others. The problem is that the sheath will lighten up as the oil dries out, requiring more oil to be added. I prefer to use a leather dye first, then oil the sheath. Seems to make the color much more stable. Again, keep in mind that any oil will darken the leather some. Any of the paste type oils, such as mink oil, seem to stay in the leather longer in my experience.

If you're going to dye your own sheath I'll give you an easy way to do it. Buy a small bottle of whatever color dye from Tandy/Leather Factory or at your local hobby store (Michaels and Hobby Lobby both often have some). Put your pice in a ziploc freezer bag then pour the dye in. Swish and roll the sheath around in the bag until thoroughly soaked. Take the sheath out, wipe off the excess with a paper towel then let it hang to dry. Trying to dye a finished sheath by applying the dye by hand is dificult.

Charles
 
You can also use wool daubers to apply the dye...they work great...they are on Tandys site under dyes and applicators...the leather will drink up the dye so youll want to put several coates on and evenly or else it wont be evenly colored...for sealing I use sno seal...found it at a sporting goods store and it works really well...it also helps if you use a hair dryer to warm the sheath while sealing...then buff with soft cloth...
 
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