Loose fit on leather sheath

S

Slugger

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Jul 13, 2007
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Looking for some ideas with a loose sheath. I've got a small Anza that is a bit loose in the leather sheath. I've tried soaking the sheath for a few hrs and drying it on a boot dryer but that didn't make any change. Is there any way to tighten thing up? Or best to just make a kydex sheath for it. I'm wondering if the snapping into a kydex sheath would make the wood scales pop loose over time?
Thanks,
Slugger
 
When you were drying the leather, after a certain point, did you have the knife in the sheath to mold the leather around it?
 
No I let it dry all night and put the knife in this morning hoping it would be tight but no cigar.
 
Try re-wetting, put the knife in and squish the the leather down close around the knife by hand. Don't over-wet (soak) the thing, just get it nice and wet and it will stay where you squish it. This works better with some leather than others but won't hurt a bit. With the right leather, it'll be pretty tight...until it gets wet again.
 
Slugger said:
Thanks I'll giver a shot tonight! Maybe one of those spring clamps would help
Click to expand...

No need for clamps....just work the leather to the knife as it's drying. You'll be able to tell when the leather is staying put up against the contour of the blade/handle. Then take the knife out and leave it along till it's good and dry.
 
Roger that, I'll give er a try withouth the clamp!

Glad I asked, I had crazy ideas going through my head about a chicago screw.
Slugger
 
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Yeah...nix the clamps. Been there, done that. Makes it tight but leaves a permanent, and deep, mark. Now I clamp mold mag pouches but I use a form and that leaves kind of a neat wood grain the is largely covered by stitches.

Just squish it by had as it drys and it'll work just as good.
 
If it is a pouch style sheath, and all else fails,(the wetting and "squishing") you can still do a really reliable fix as follows.

In the top corner of the sheath where the sheath mouth and edge junction, punch a number 7 hole staying very close to the inside edge of the welt, (between the edge stitch and the inside edge of the welt) and place a Chicago Screw and tighten it up. You will see that it really tightens the mouth of the sheath and that is really all you needed for adequate retention. If you find it's a little too tight you can back off the screw a little and once you hit the tension you like you can set the screw with a little bit of Elmer's plain old white all purpose glue. This method has worked for me every time I have had to try it.

Slugger, you were on the right track with your "crazy idea".

Paul
 
Hahahah so I'm not as crazy as my wife tells me! Thats great news. I'll keep that in mind thanks!
Slugger
 
I'd have to agree with Paul on this one. I think you need a more permanent fix than just wet molding again. That will work temporarily but with use and exposure to the environment the sheath will loosen.
 
Well . . . . you were right. Looks like my molding skills are weak or it just wasn't enough. I'll be looking for the small punch and screws to make this a little tighter. Now to find a shop.
Slugger
 
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