sing,
I have this one small fixed blade that I always take deer hunting with me. It seems that I have had the best luck hunting in down pours: I am talking biblical rains here!
Anyway, the leather sheath has been SOAKED dozens of times: I just let it air dry inside the basement, and an ocassional coat of Snoseal. Leather sheath is fine and I leave the knife it it year round (no rust, or mold). My basement is damp in the summer, so I run a couple of humidifiers. I have had a problem with a 'mold' growing on the outside of some leathers - white/light green color, and some of my old Fred Abrogast (sp?) fishing lures, too (white film/mily like). I just had Chiro75 make me a Kydex sheath for a skeleton fixed blade (which came out pretty nice
), so it will be interesting to see what happens to that knife if I leave it in the sheath all year. I prefer leather sheaths because they are quieter, if you happen to be walking thru some brush, or you bang it with your firearm. The synthetics as not2sharp had mentioned are odorless, but noisy. Leather is tanned with oils, or chemicals so it has odor to wildlife. Game are more likely to pick up the scent from our shampoo, or toothpaste before the sheath gives you away...lol. It is a trade off.
Personally I like the leather. I do have a few Kydex sheaths though.
Like everything in the world - nothing is perfect.
Would you rather wear leather sneakers, OR Kydex?! LOL
Just kidding.
[This message has been edited by maddog2020 (edited 14 July 1999).]