Question about Edge Damage on Custom Knife

[toaster burn]

So I just bought a custom knife from a local smith (01 steel) and it didn't come with a sheath, so I made my own out of leather. I stitched it using steel wire; sheath turned out great. But I noticed that that the edge of the knife rests against the steel wire inside the sheath, and this is causing some minor damage to the knife's edge (can't tell if it's rolling or chipping, but I can definitely feel it with my fingernail, and just barely see it if I look closely enough).

So is this cause for concern that the heat treating isn't good on the knife? Or is this to be expected from a knife resting against steel wire?

 

[Scurvy092]

Steel wire? Why would you do that to your poor knife?

 

[NJBillK]

It wouldn't be an issue if he used a welt.

Pull the sheath apart and make a piece of leather to fit in the seam. It will have to be about 1/4" - 1/3" and stitch through that. This way the blade will hit that leather and not your stitching.

Also, make sure you are using vegetable tanned leather, otherwise the knife will rust Very badly Very quickly.

 

[dsalazar]

It may be more of removing and inserting the knife that is damaging it. I don't believe a edge would be damaged by just resting on the wire. As stated above a well in the sheath will fix the issue. I always put a welt in a leather sheath. You can cut through the stitching or damage edge if using rivets.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

As others have said, make a properly constructed sheath with a welt and you can stitch it with anything.

 

[MountainManAdventure]

^ Welt. Also for the sake of the leather itself and longevity consider some waxed artificial sinew. As soon as there's enough stress or the leathers old enough that steel wire could tear the leather apart, and there nothing worse than your hard worked project tearing itself apart

 

[NJBillK]

^ Welt. Also for the sake of the leather itself and longevity consider some waxed artificial sinew. As soon as there's enough stress or the leathers old enough that steel wire could tear the leather apart, and there nothing worse than your hard worked project tearing itself apart

Or busting and tearing you up when out on the trail.

 

[dsalazar]

Or losing the knife from a busted sheath. I have had them last a long time by using a light coat of leather conditilner. Not much though as it can soften leather. I live in Arizona so the dry heat can be a real number on leather here.