Old leather sheath is very stiff.

[sogflash]

I have acquired an old knife with a leather sheath. It has been stored in a cold and humid place, but I don't know for how long. Neither do I know it's age. I guess it's at least 20 years old, but it could easily be twice that or older for all I know.

The leather sheath is very stiff. As if it was made from hard plastic. If that was the intention of the knife maker, or a result of aging, I don't know.

Is it common that leather can get that stiff? Could it be intentional? should I worry about it?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Some leathers, such as for saddles and such, are actually impregnated with waxes & other stuff to make them essentially weather-proof or water-resistant. It also makes them very, very stiff. I have some remnants of such a piece, purchased at a Tractor Supply Company store some years ago. I bought it thinking I would make a couple or three strops from it. If used with compound, no problem. But I noticed if I attempted to strop a blade on it bare, with no compound, it left a waxy mess on the edge of my blade.

It's also possible that some leather sheaths may be coated in plastic or some other resinous material, so that may be contributing to the 'stiffness' of it as well.


David