Removal of leather scratches

[jeremill]

I know that this has probably been ask 1000 times, but does anyone have a specific method. I have tried polishing (by hand) with flitz but to no avail.


Jeremy

 

[marineni]

This is a good guide from start to finish.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=549075

Edit: If you want to remove scratches from your strop this thread may be helpful:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=550765

 

[Zeasor]

Are you asking how to remove scratches from leather such as a scratched leather strop?

 

[jeremill]

Sorry I meant removal of marks caused by leather. It happens to many of my knives and my SS pistols as well. The ones that get a lot of use after a couple hundred times resheathing, my favorite knife keeps getting these marks on the sides of the blade, (full length of the blade). Checked the sheath and it is clean, should I add something to the inside of the sheath.


Jeremy

 

[CWL]

I don't think it is the leather itself but inclusions that you pick-up from general use. You may not be able to see them, but dirt & grit gets imbedded into the leather.

Don't add anything into the leather -especially gunleather as this may ruin the molded shape of the holster. Treatments & cleaners will also make it easier for even more junk to imbed into the leather.

As to the steel, if Flitz doesn't work, you may need to use 2000, 1000, 600, 420 or 320 grit wet/dry emory paper to restore the satin 'grains' of the steel polish. Be careful that you don't scratch the steel even more.

For me, as long it is a 'using' knife or carry gun, I don't mind the scratches as it is considered 'charachter'.

 

[Dog of War]

I don't think it is the leather itself but inclusions that you pick-up from general use. You may not be able to see them, but dirt & grit gets imbedded into the leather.

Right ... in fact this is supposedly the reason why lined holsters came to be.

I don't think there's any perfect solution to the problem of scratching. For example I'm sure Kydex doesn't hold grit the way rough leather does, but when you do get some grit in there, the tight fit and hard surface of the Kydex makes for some serious scratching.

Anyway with leather sheaths and holsters, I think the best thing you can do if you've been in a situation where sand or other foreign matter could have gotten inside is brush them out ... something like a skinny bottle brush works well, though not perfect of course.