Leather sheath making - ? on sequence of steps

T

tuffluv

Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
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This will be my first attempt. I'm using 8/9-oz veg. tanned leather for fixed blade Becker Bk-16. I want to wet form the leather, use dye (Fiebings alcohol-based), slick the edges (gum tragacanth) and use a finish (Eco Flo super sheen). My questions relate to when to two-tone dye (British Tan body, Chocolate edge), do I need an edge coat (Fiebings edge coat) if i plan on slicking the edge.
  1. Is it correct that I should wet form the leather before doing anything else, such as dying, gluing welt and sewing sheath together?
  2. Should I dye before gluing welt and sewing sheath together?
  3. If I plan to dye the edge and slick it with gum, do I need to use an edge dressing?
  4. Where does oiling the leather fit into the process? Is it an intermediate step or even necessary if I intend to use a finish?
I've been looking at this post: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sheath-makers-a-question-about-finish.518661/

thanks!
 
Welcome to Sheaths and Such.

This tutorial I did on making a pancake sheath should answer most of your questions.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/pancake-sheaths-and-how-i-go-about-them-pic-heavy.1262927/

There are other tutorials at the top of the page too.

Briefly though:

1) Depends on the type of sheath. Some do, I don't.

2) I dye after construction.

3) Run away from any edge dressing as fast as you can. Edges are covered in link above. Dye your edges first, then gum, then rub, then a couple of light coats of finish on the edge.

4) Oiling is absolutely necessary. I do it after dyeing on a dyed sheath, then a light coat of finish over after the oil has set.

Hope this helps. Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.
 
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