new sheath prep

[turnkeytom]

hi guys and gals
just got a sheath done today and was wondering how to finish it. how do you mold the leather to the shape of the knife and how long to try. how much leather dye to use and do you have to seal the edges after and with what. sorry for all the questions . i'm a knife maker not a sheath maker. thanks for the help... turnkeytom

 

[Ken C.]

I dye the leather before molding. It makes things a lot easier after glue up shoul dyou get glue on the undyed leather. Dye won't take when glue it set into the leather. Use enought dye to get an even coat on the whole sheath.

Whe molding a sheath to the knife I first wrap the knife in blue painters tape to protect the blade and handle. I then moisten the leather using a sponge. I do not soak the leather I moisten it inside and out until it is easy to bend and shape. I then place the knife in the sheath and mold it using only my fingers and hands. Some people use a bone folder but i don't care for those.

For edge sealing I use tragacanth gum. I apply it using a wool dauber and let it dry completely. I then use a bone folder to slick up the edge.