Leather Sheaths

[ron47]

I've just started collecting fixed blades and while I display the knife I store the sheath. Any suggestions on preserving, i.e. rubbing in an oil or wax would be appreciated.
ronorvelle@aol.com

 

[lobo]

Hi, I rub my sheaths down with KIWI brand mink oil. It keeps the leather supple without softning it too much. It is also supposed to help protect from moisture damage. It can darken the leather some, but not to a great extent.

------------------

 

[lifter4Him]

While mink oil does preserve the leather, I have found for me that it also softens it which is not good for a form fitted sheath. I have had good success using Rennassaince Wax on my leather sheaths. Just my .02

------------------
Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me

 

[R Dockrell]

Use a product called "snow seal" its for water prooffing leather boots. Should be avaliable at any highend boot or outdoors shop. Doesn't discolor or soften leather.
Robert Http://members.tripod.com/knifeworks/index.html

 

[johno]

I've been using different oils and waxes on leather boots for almost 30 years and have come to prefer SnoSeal, as it doesn't soften leather like many oils do and yet works fairly well. Some like Nikwax (speling ?) but after wasting money on some of their other products I won't be using it, at least any time soon.

 

[Leathersmith]

I agree that oil is not a good idea on a sheath. Oil will penetrate and soften, when what you want is a surface dressing to give the leather some protection and a nice finish.
Wax based dressings are what you want... which sno-seal is. Montana Pitch-blend makes a wax/mink oil/pine-pitch dressing which is good for sheaths too.


------------------
Richard Dix
The Leatherwork Site

 

[JW]

ditto on the sno-seal
it is a bees wax based formula.
The late Mel Sorg jr (MadPoet) used a 'soup' made from bees wax and some neatsfoot oil and whoknowswhat, heated to just smoking and then immersed, cooled and then buffed. His sheaths are beautiful and mine still look like new. http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=269728&a=2006217&p=18986564&Sequence=0

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Richard, nice to see another leatherworker on board here, welcome! Your sheaths look real nice as well!

I use the Fiebings Atom Wax coating after dyeing the leather for a finish coat, and also sand and buff the edges of the sheath with a wax buffing compound.

G2

------------------
"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...


G2 LeatherWorks

 

[JW]

Hi, Gary's process looks real nice, too. Gives the sheath a sort of 'hardcoat' finish. I've been carrying my CenterCross lockback in a G2 sheath daily for only about 2 weeks now, but it seems to resist the scratches and marks from normal wear. Also doesn't 'sweat' oils or wax. MadPoet's sheaths are still sweating wax, but the D2 doesn't rust in 'em!

 

[K Williams]

I use Pecards Leather Dressing. It will darken tan and brown leather, and might make the sheath a bit softer, but it works.

You can find it at David Morgan. http://www.davidmorgan.com


------------------
K. Williams
Modern Arnis Student
AKTI Member #A000978