Leather pouch sheath retention

[Vicv]

I Have a custom fixed blade and leather sheath made by a member here a couple years ago. The sheath no longer retains the knife very well. Is there a way I can remember shrink the leather to hold the knife. Thanks

 

[sheathmaker]

It depends on the sheath, the leather and the construction. If it was made by me, then I'd like to evaluate the problem and fix it or replace it. If it was made by someone else, I would contact them and take it from there.

It is possible (don't confuse possible with probable) that you can case the whole sheath and reform it to the knife and that may, might, could get the job done……or not.

Paul

 

[Vicv]

Therein lies the problem. That looked like Latin to me. Lol. I don't know how to make the leather form around the knife. I understand how it's done with kydex but not leather. I got it to hold better by removing the knife and squeezing the opening smaller by a bit but I don't imagine that will last

Paul[/QUOTE]

 

[Gary W. Graley]

A pic of the situation, sheath and knife, would go a long ways for us to offer advice.

Also as Paul mentioned, if you can reach the original maker they may have ideas too.

G2

 

[sheathmaker]

Okay, you need to essentially re-wet form the sheath to better fit the knife. If the sheath IS NOT fully leather lined it will be much easier. Thoroughly wet the sheath inside and out ( immerse it completely in warm not hot water for about 20 or 30 seconds). Towel off the excess water and wait a couple of minutes while the "casing" starts to take effect. Then insert the knife and start to massage the leather tightly around the knife using plenty of pressure with your hands and fingers. In about 20 or 30 minutes the sheath should have formed pretty well to the knife. Very gently remove the knife and either allow it to air dry under a fan pointed at the mouth……or do what I do and break out Momma'a 1600 watt hair dryer and accelerate the process, paying particular attention to the inside of the sheath. When you think it is totally dry….it is NOT so allow it to air dry another couple of days with the fan pointed at the interior. You knife should fit more snuggly after this process.

I fully line all my sheaths so this process is much less effective because the contact cement bonding the lining to the body of the sheath forms a moisture barrier and the wet forming is more difficult if possible at all.

Now this is just the way I would do it, and it's not the only way, so expect some other ideas to pop up.


Paul

 

[Vicv]

Thank you. The interior of the sheath is plain leather so hopefully that makes it easier. I can not get a hold of the original maker that was why I posted on here. I thought water was used but I wasn't sure as I know water is bad for leather normally. Would coating the blade in oil affect the process? It's o1 so it would probably rust being in a wet leather sheath

 

[Salolan]

Wrap your blade in saran wrap before putting it in the wet sheath. Form the leather and clean your knife up and oil it right after you are done. Make sure your finger nails are trimmed before doing this. You will leave marks in the leather otherwise. Also, if there is any tooling, you will likely mess it up in the area you are forming the leather to the knife.
If you can post a picture, it would be easier to give you advice on how to go about things.

Chris