Randall sheaths

[Ricefarmer24]

Can anyone give me advice on caring for Randall sheaths that will not affect value. I have some feeling dry, but I’m afraid to oil them because of value affect. Any advice????

 

[CVamberbonehead]

Thats a tough one. I use Obenaufs leather protector on sheaths and its great, but it darkens the leather. So would neatsfoot oil or any other good option I can think of. I love the look of old patinaed leather, but Randall collectors probably dont want that.
Maybe if you put a humidifer in the room? I dont know. Someone on here will though, Im sure.

 

[JParanee]

Bick 4 by Bickmore

I’m not guessing here

 

[rummels]

You could investigate how museums care for leather objects if you really wanted to study the issue.

For example, https://www.jcms-journal.com/articles/10.5334/jcms.3972/

But I also use Obenauf's for the leather sheaths, wallets, etc that I own.

 

[eveled]

Contact Greg Gutcher at Sullivan’s they make the sheaths for Randall.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sullivans-holster-shop-update.575867/

 

[Horsewright]

I recommend these two as a maker:

Not just me recommending them but when you drop, what we drop on a saddle, (I have one being made right now and its not even fully tooled, still sitting at $6300) and that guy says use this. I use this.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Being something of a leather nerd, I treat all my leather sheathes and leather belts with SnowSeal -- if a sheath is worth keeping (some are junk so I use those as a pattern to make a better one out of better leather), I take it apart, melt in 2-3 coats of SnowSeal then restitch it by hand. SnowSeal seals the leather pores against moisture and does not soften the leather. I looked at the gorgeous Randall display at Spyderco's factory store when I was in Boulder last year -- they struck me as extremely high quality, well-made sheathes. You could probably work a few dollops of SnowSeal into the inside of the sheath with a spatula or something similar, so you wouldn't have to take it apart. I use an old hair dryer to gently heat the leather to melt in the SnowSeal (note: check before borrowing one from your significant other). I've never had a problem with a knife rusting in the sheath, once treated.