New sheath i made cracked.

mccandmatt

mccandmatt

Joined
Oct 29, 2013
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358
Hello, just made a sheath for a knife I just made. I used Tandy 6-7oz veggie tanned leather, I dyed it with Fiebings #121 alcohol brown dye, several coats. Once dry I applied the Eco-Flo Satin Shene Finish about two good coats and then buffed over it with lamb wool. It did not crack on folds but.. well see the picture. It's not on a fold but on a flat surface

I'm thinking that the alcohol based dye was applied too many times and the alcohol dried the leather, but it looks like the it might be just the dye and finish that cracked but not sure.

Thanks for any help/recommendations

Matt

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You didn't mention it, but was there any heat involved in the process? If not, then it looks like you got hold of some old dried out leather. Alcohol saturation probably would not cause drying and cracking on leather that wasn't already semi dry from age or being exposed to heat before you got it.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
You didn't mention it, but was there any heat involved in the process? If not, then it looks like you got hold of some old dried out leather. Alcohol saturation probably would not cause drying and cracking on leather that wasn't already semi dry from age or being exposed to heat before you got it.

Paul
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No heat at all. Damn just bought the leather too. I folded it some before I bought, rolled up nicely. Any tips on how not to pick out old and dry leather?
Thanks for replying Mr. Long
 
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I'd recommend picking up something other than tandy hides. Check out Hermann oak there are several places you can order small quantities of it(don't want to post any link heard that's frowned upon here). I build custom holsters for a living and after using allot of different leather interior much prefer Hermann oak.

Luke
 
What I can see of the sheath it looks good! Aside from that surface crack, it happens when that thin layer of surface skin gets very dry and is then flexed. When its well conditioned it stretches, when its dry, well, you see what happens.

On your next one I'd suggest you use a good quality conditioner or pure neatsfoot oil after you finish the dyeing. That spirit dye is very effective at drying out the leather, you notice how stiff the leather is after your applications. When you apply that finish, in this case Satin Sheen, your sealing an already dry sheath with an acrylic.
 
leatherman said:
What I can see of the sheath it looks good! Aside from that surface crack, it happens when that thin layer of surface skin gets very dry and is then flexed. When its well conditioned it stretches, when its dry, well, you see what happens.

On your next one I'd suggest you use a good quality conditioner or pure neatsfoot oil after you finish the dyeing. That spirit dye is very effective at drying out the leather, you notice how stiff the leather is after your applications. When you apply that finish, in this case Satin Sheen, your sealing an already dry sheath with an acrylic.
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Thanks, just ordered up some neatsfoot, and leather. Appreciate the help
 
I've had similar problems with older leather. Recently switched to oil dyes, also availible at Tandy. Gives better coverage and no chance of drying the leather. Also adds oil, who'd a thunk.

Randy
 
Did the crack just appear , or was it caused by force of some kind ( dropping the sheath , very tight fit of knife in sheath etc )
No matter what caused it , the leather shouldn't have done that though .
I have no advice to give , but it is an interesting problem you have brought up .
Thanks for sharing this .

Ken
 
I just applied a little pressure to it with my thumb like in the picture. Not a big deal gives me a reason to make another :)
 
A very good attitude to have. :)

The way my Tandy store around here go through leather there is little chance of it being old or dried out. But your mileage may vary. But somehow I dont believe you got old leather, maybe ill tanned if you got their "bargain" bin leather that they put on sale rather often, if its that then its most likely from a tannery south of the border that likes to sneak in bad leather at a bargain price to entice TLF to buy it. The other, larger and very good tannery down there puts out very nice stuff, just not in the numbers that TLF needs, so comes the crappy stuff.

Advice, always pick your leather by hand there, try to go to the biggest store in your area (most likely a Leather Factory) and get to know the manager. I fully trust the manager at our store here in San Antonio, he at least understands the need for good leather at a decent price.

You will with time get to know what good leather feels and acts like and how to avoid that crappy stuff that the managers are forced to take at times. Look at the European tanned leather there when you get a chance, its pricey but sooooo nice, :)
 
leatherman said:
A very good attitude to have. :)

The way my Tandy store around here go through leather there is little chance of it being old or dried out. But your mileage may vary. But somehow I dont believe you got old leather, maybe ill tanned if you got their "bargain" bin leather that they put on sale rather often, if its that then its most likely from a tannery south of the border that likes to sneak in bad leather at a bargain price to entice TLF to buy it. The other, larger and very good tannery down there puts out very nice stuff, just not in the numbers that TLF needs, so comes the crappy stuff.

Advice, always pick your leather by hand there, try to go to the biggest store in your area (most likely a Leather Factory) and get to know the manager. I fully trust the manager at our store here in San Antonio, he at least understands the need for good leather at a decent price.

You will with time get to know what good leather feels and acts like and how to avoid that crappy stuff that the managers are forced to take at times. Look at the European tanned leather there when you get a chance, its pricey but sooooo nice, :)
Click to expand...

Yeah they were selling single shoulders for $35, I went back to the manager who some time ago spent a long long time helping me out, first hide I bought he picked it out but this recently I grabbed myself. And yes I just saw that they were both from Mexico, couple clamp marks in the corners and a small hole, all at the edges. I ordered up some today with the neatsfoot from a saddle shop next to where I live, little pricey but trying to establish a relationship with them.
 
Yea, looks like you got the bargain bin stuff, its not all bad but there's a lot out there that is unacceptable.

That other tannery is really good, I just developed the eye and feel for the good stuff and give them grief when all they have is the bad stuff. Sadly its beyond the managers control, they get what they get, but it doesn't stop me from fussing at them when its all bad. :p

So far that European tanned leather has been flawless, amazing when I can get it but the price is out there.

As far as clamp marks, its all got them no matter the tannery. Some cut them off, others dont, but they all get them no matter what. Holes and range marks are common too, its an animal honestly and its going to get insect bit and scarred up at times. Its the nature of the beast. When I gave in and bought from a much touted company I was rather surprised (well no) that it was the same. I so much prefer to pick my own hides that I will dig through a huge stack to get what I want.

In short, not all Mexican tanners are the same, you have to know your retailer and your leather. You can get some stunning pieces if you look for them and if you hit the store at the right time.
 
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