Improving?

[Salolan]

I hope I can say I am getting better and I actually made a few sheaths with tooling on them. I did things a bit backward from how I normally do. I normally finish the knives and then do the sheaths. We've had a record setting cold spell the last few days and I can do most of the leather work inside so I did the sheaths first(the blades are ready for handles so I know they will fit).

As usual, please feel free to critique and give any advice you might see fit. All that remains on these is to install the snaps (waiting to finish the knife handles for placement) and oil them up. Is there any reason to not submerse the finished sheaths in heated neatsfoot oil then rub it in for the finish?

Here they are....

and here is a knife and sheath I just finished. I thought it fitting to show since the handle is made of sheath making scraps.

Thank you for looking,
Chris

 

[sheathmaker]

Chris, I hope you read this before you dip any sheath in heated or otherwise neatsfoot oil. DO NOT DO IT!!!! The last thing you want is leather saturated with oil. Neatsfoot should be applied sparingly and use two coats only if absolutely necessary.

Paul

 

[Salolan]

Thank you Paul, this is why I ask questions. When I've tried to apply neatsfoot by hand it doesn't seem to penetrate and this was a novices solution. What of the inside of the sheath? does it not need to be oiled?

Chris

 

[mccandmatt]

I've read about people dipping a whole sheath into acrylic sheen (I would not do that personally, I don't like the acrylic) but yea dipping in neatsfoot would be a mess.

 

[sheathmaker]

Thank you Paul, this is why I ask questions. When I've tried to apply neatsfoot by hand it doesn't seem to penetrate and this was a novices solution. What of the inside of the sheath? does it not need to be oiled?

Chris

If the sheath is unlined, then oil applied to the exterior will work its way into the leather all the way through. If it is lined with top grain (good side) of the leather showing on the interior then a light, very light coat of oil could be applied prior to glue up and stitching.

All of this answer applies to veg. tan leather only.

Paul