How to maintain your leather sheath?

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Octav

Joined
Oct 29, 2009
Messages
62
We've been talking here mostly about steel and stuff, but I didn't find a proper topic related to the great leather sheath made for Ka Bar and how to keep it in good shape for the end of days :D.
Does it came from Mexico waterproofed?
Does it need a special attention?
I am asking that because I like the leather more than kydex; I think leather has a soul, a great personality and uniqueness.
 
It is just dyed and stitched leather.

You will need something with bees' wax in it.

I like SnoSeal. It is an old, natural sealant, that was the standard for boots, until folks figured out that it makes the sheaths airtight, as well as water tight.

You will need to seal inside as well as out, because it will still soak leather from within.

Just melt the SnoSeal, and pour it in, then you should be good.

Moose
 
moosez45 said:
It is just dyed and stitched leather.

You will need something with bees' wax in it.

I like SnoSeal. It is an old, natural sealant, that was the standard for boots, until folks figured out that it makes the sheaths airtight, as well as water tight.

You will need to seal inside as well as out, because it will still soak leather from within.

Just melt the SnoSeal, and pour it in, then you should be good.

Moose
Click to expand...

Thanks Moose.
What color does the leather gets after all the dipping is finished?
 
Octav said:
Thanks Moose.
What color does the leather gets after all the dipping is finished?
Click to expand...

It darkens up a little. Pulls the grain structure out a little more, but it looks damn good though.

Moose
 
Could you put some pics please?
I wonder how a 60 year old leather sheath could last without oiling it. I saw many WW2 sheaths and handles in quite an acceptable shape.
Can a factory sheath in our present days last so long without any treatment?
 
a lot of the old sheaths were soaked in neatsfoot oil or mink oil to seal them.
Even good old corn oil will provide some level of protection, but I'm with Moose on this, SnoSeal is the stuff I use.
 
I use SnoSeal or Nikwax. Both are good.
 
Dear guys, do you perform this treatment even to your leather handles too?
From what I heard, those handles came out with a factory treatment...or am I wrong?
 
Octav said:
Dear guys, do you perform this treatment even to your leather handles too?
From what I heard, those handles came out with a factory treatment...or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

They don't have any treatment, but there is really no need. Lemme explain, the stacked leather washers are compressed, I think, under great pressure (I could be wrong, and I'm verifying it now). They are so compressed, that they won't soak up liquid. Any oil that your hand leaves on them, is only "skin deep". Mine have got darker, but not degraded. I was one in a guys collection once, that looked older than dirt. Handle was a little dark, but not rotted in any way. He said it was an original. I believe him.

If you have to, you can use pure bee's wax, or epoxy (think Estwing hatchet), but I don't think its necessary. I've heard they will rot off, but I haven't seen one yet.

If anyone has one to share, post it up, I would like to see it.

Moose
 
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