knife care in wet leather sheaths

M

mickb

Joined
Jan 21, 2016
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Fellas if you are in the field a few days at a time which may include in the rain or wading through creeks, would having a leather sheath increase chance of rust to the knife? I am thinking synthethic sheaths (which I currently use) hold less or even no water against the blade. Or would leather that gets soacked be a non issue with proper oiling to tbe blade each night? Just curious as to the realities with high carbon blades.
 
Generally, you are advised to not let a carbon steel knife stay in a wet leather sheath any longer than necessary. Taking it out at night and oiling may be enough to protect it but, personally, I would not rely on that as a solid rust preventative. Synthetics are certainly a sound option in extended wet conditions although blade care is still needed.
I do carry my knives in leather but almost always have some outer rain gear on that will protect knives and pistols from getting too wet in bad conditions. I do inspect things at night and clean and dry as needed and never had a problem with rust. The only rust I have seen on a blade in one of my sheaths was from a customer that used it to gut and skin an animal and then put it back in the sheath for weeks without cleaning it off. Nasty pitting.
Randy
 
I've also experienced kydex retaining moisture for a day. Even with a weep hole.

I had to dive into a pool to save a drowning toddler. Full clothes, shoes, cell phone and my knives on me.

I had a Busse Game Warden in a kydex sheath. I went back and changed. At the end of the day, the sheath and blade were still wet inside.

Don't stress too much about it. Just use the knife and try to dry it off at the end of the day don't store it in a wet sheath. Treat the sheath with a leather protective, and go out and enjoy your day.
 
As a young Marine there were many times when we were in the field for training and have rain for an entire week. After three days all of your gear, clothing and belongings are soaked.
Anyway, point being we would just wipe off the excess water and smear a little bit of CLP on the blade. We used black Kiwi on the sheaths as waterproof for the leather.
 
We did similar for knives which for us was the M16 bayonet. But the sheath was plastic.
 
Put the knife on your belt, use it as needed; clean, dry, and oil the knife and sheath as necessary when you get back.
 
Ok so what about the sheath. will the sheath get ruined over time or is there a way to dry the sheath out if it does get wet.
 
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