Leather Maintenance?

[sektr]

I have a few knives with leather sheaths. I've treated them all with a light coating of waterproofing leather spray and used clear polish on them (I know a lot of people recommend Neatsfoot and SnoSeal, just the route I chose).

My question for the experts here is this:

These are woods knives, and the way life is for me right now they don't see use more than 3-4 times a year, so neither do the sheaths. How often should I be treating a sheath that doesn't see much use?

 

[grumpy_grinder]

I have sheaths that where handed down to me that are older then 40 years old and might have been oiled twice but they have never seen much action and look almost new. On the other hand , I nave a few sheaths I made that I oil with meatsfoot about twice a year and it looks like they've been through the civil war. I just oil them when I notice them getting on the dry side (the extrem cold here really sucks moisture out of anything)or after i wash the blood off them. I only apply a very thin coat. i also try and stick with natural products when it comes to leather for obvious reasons. Some of those modern sealers have chemicals harmful to leather and tht can corrode knife blades.

i'm not an expert by the way so take this with a grain of salt.

cheers

grumpy

 

[Horsewright]

The simple answer is when they need it. That is gonna depend on climate, exposure and use. Also type of leather and quality, used to make the sheath. No particular formula for when. If they start to seem dry then they need conditioning. If they crack you are too late, if they get soggy ya did too much. While I buy neatsfoot oil by the gallon and often, I don't like it for conditioning. I use it when I make a sheath, holster, rifle scabbard, belt etc but not thereafter. As Grumpy inidicated its very easy to use too much. I prefer cream products for conditioning. Williams Saddle dressing from Australia if ya can find it, Skidmores, Montana Pitch etc. I prefer natural conditioners too and most are gonna have some lanolin and beeswax in em. Got this new stuff from Australia (since I can't find Williams any more) called Oakwood. Its available from Weaver. Liking it pretty good. It takes the natural a bit past lanolin and beeswax (it has those too) but also contains emu oil, tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil. Smells good anyhow. Just as an aside if you're trying to get scratches or scuffs out of leather nothing in my experience touches the Skidmores.

 

[leatherman]

Going to have to look up that Oakwood! Sounds nice.

I've been using the Aussie Leather Conditioner from Fiebings for years, but the price is getting a little silly. Thankfully a jar lasts for months. My final finish is Leather Balm with Atom Wax, also Fiebings. Double shot of natural stuff and it looks nice and mellow. I just wont use lacquers, varnishes, or acrylic based finishes, my choice. ymmv.

 

[grumpy_grinder]

Skidmores!!! That's the name I was trying to remember!!! Thanks Dave! That's be small white can with the picture of the two fur traders on it right? I don't know where to buy it anymore. I used to buy it at a farmers co-op where they used to sell feed and tack room supplies but the place burned down so I can't get anyone to ship me some!!

 

[Horsewright]

Yep that's it. But they switched the label recently. Now its two cowboy's sitting around the campfire. Coffee is going and one is putting the Skidmores on his saddle and the other is doing his boots. Interestingly they sell the same stuff to the biker market and just change the label. Same stuff just different can. They do the same with woodworkers too. Same stuff different can. I use to be a dealer for them when I was doing alot of shows but quit15 years ago or so. When you're doing a lot of shows its handy to have small items like that to sell that don't cost alot.

Sheridan Leather Supply carries it. Its good stuff. Also Skidmore's has a website too and wil sell direct. I get it from Sheridan's and my Pro Carv too.

 

[grumpy_grinder]

Yep that's it. But they switched the label recently. Now its two cowboy's sitting around the campfire. Coffee is going and one is putting the Skidmores on his saddle and the other is doing his boots. Interestingly they sell the same stuff to the biker market and just change the label. Same stuff just different can. They do the same with woodworkers too. Same stuff different can. I use to be a dealer for them when I was doing alot of shows but quit15 years ago or so. When you're doing a lot of shows its handy to have small items like that to sell that don't cost alot.

Sheridan Leather Supply carries it. Its good stuff. Also Skidmore's has a website too and wil sell direct. I get it from Sheridan's and my Pro Carv too.

thanks , I couldn't quite remember the label. I haven't used it in a long time. I have a jar of saddle butter I've been picking away at , it's all I have. Once our last american quarter passed and I moved I took the jar with me. the stuff must be about 15 years old. I'd love to get more of that skidmores cream.

cheers

grumpy

 

[Brian.Evans]

thanks , I couldn't quite remember the label. I haven't used it in a long time. I have a jar of saddle butter I've been picking away at , it's all I have. Once our last american quarter passed and I moved I took the jar with me. the stuff must be about 15 years old. I'd love to get more of that skidmores cream.

cheers

grumpy

Shoot me an email. I can get skidmore's locally.

Or, go to:
http://www.pards.com/products/txtsearch/skidmore/productid/6670

They're good people at Pard's.