Leather Finish Question

[C Bryant]

For you leather guys out there. I made a sheath for my little JK Pocket Kephart and want to try something new to finish it. I use Tandy Carnauba Cream as a finish for things like this but I have been wanting to use something else, like beeswax or ...well anything. I want to try something new. Suggestions?

 

[Guyon]

You might try your question over in the sheath forum to get advice from the pros.

I like Sno-Seal or Nikwax on leather, but that's just me.

 

[ilbruche]

Beeswax will darken the leather, so it might not be a good choice if you want to keep the color. If you want to spruce up a sheath and bring out the color I use "Leather Balm with Atom Wax" from Tandy. Another product I like is called Hide Rejuvenator from Tandy as well. It is made to "clean, soften and condition leather".

For beeswax I use beeswax as well as some neetsfoot oil. I melt it and apply it with a wool dauber and then you can use a hair dryer to melt it in. YMMV.

 

[Guyon]

ilbruche is right about my two suggestions as well. They both darken the leather somewhat.

 

[Fiddleback]

Wax makes the leather stiff, like plastic. I don't like the effect. JMHO. When I do use wax I have an old crock pot that I keep under the bench with wax in it. Just turn it on and wait for the wax to melt. Then quickly dip the sheath and use a heat gun to even out the finish.

 

[C Bryant]

Yeah, I thought wax might get a bit stiff, don't really want that. I don't like super stiff leather sheaths. Thanks for that info though, I might dip a piece of leather just to see how it comes out.

 

[mkhop]

have dipped sheaths that I made into Thompsons water seal and let dry and then put snow seal on outside for a buffed apearence.

 

[stingray4540]

Wax in itself does not inherently make leather stiff, maybe very slightly but not like plastic. Hot dipping leather will make it hard like plastic.

If you don't mind your leather darkening, I HIGHLY recomend "Sno-Seal"!!!!

I melt it and add a little more beeswax and some pine pitch, but it will do just fine as it is. It will make your leather waterproof and protect it.

Rub it in with your fingers, and use a hair dryer to melt it in. Don't over do it though, watch the sno-seal until you just see it melting. Use a back and forth motion, you don't want to cook the leather.

I use this exclusively to finish my sheaths, and boots, and jackets, and all leather. I don't use any stain, because I like the color that I get just from the sno-seal.

P.S. The best place I know to get sno-seal is at Big-5, if you have one close.

 

[stingray4540]

Yeah, I thought wax might get a bit stiff, don't really want that. I don't like super stiff leather sheaths. Thanks for that info though, I might dip a piece of leather just to see how it comes out.

Don't dip it, that will make it hard, unless you are really fast.

Try the sno-seal product, if you have beeswax, melt down the sno-seal and add a little of the beeswax.

Let it cool, then apply it with your fingers and use a hair dryer to melt it in. Using this method will not make the sheath stiff.

 

[C Bryant]

Great info guys, thanks a lot. I appreciate it. Seems like sno-seal has the majority vote, and I do have a Big-5 down the street to pic some up. I really like all of the suggestions, so I think I will make a few more of the same sheath and try each way to see how they come out. I like the idea of adding the beeswax and pine pitch to the sno-seal. I'll be on the lookout for a pine tree with a hive in it and make an afternoon of it. If you guys have any more ideas keep them coming! And thanks again

 

[mtnfolk mike]

i use both.. sno-seal or beeswax... i have never had a problem with either..

nice little sheath by the way...:thumbup: