Sheath retaining strap....

SaguaroKid

SaguaroKid

Joined
Jan 20, 2008
Messages
340
The retaining strap on my leather sheath must have stretched. My knife slips right through it now. It's almost the width of the snap too loose. Is there a way to shrink it? Is this a common problem? If so couldn't the strap be laminated with a material that doesn't stretch?

Thanks
 
I'm going to make the assumption that the leather is veg. tan. You can soak just the strap in water for no more than 30 seconds, then heat the sheath at 150 degrees for 20 minutes. I use a toaster oven. Check to see if it has shrunk. If it hasn't shrunk enough, heat for another 20 minutes. Once you get it to where you want, let it dry out for 24 hours before using. I would also suggest that you put a very thin coat of pure neatsfoot oil on the sheath. If you don't have neatsfoot oil. use virgin olive oil. These oils may darken the sheath somewhat, but heating it will deplete some of the leather's natural and tanning oils.

Remember to soak only the part that you want to shrink.
 
jaymack9100 said:
I'm going to make the assumption that the leather is veg. tan. You can soak just the strap in water for no more than 30 seconds, then heat the sheath at 150 degrees for 20 minutes. I use a toaster oven. Check to see if it has shrunk. If it hasn't shrunk enough, heat for another 20 minutes. Once you get it to where you want, let it dry out for 24 hours before using. I would also suggest that you put a very thin coat of pure neatsfoot oil on the sheath. If you don't have neatsfoot oil. use virgin olive oil. These oils may darken the sheath somewhat, but heating it will deplete some of the leather's natural and tanning oils.

Remember to soak only the part that you want to shrink.
Click to expand...

Your assumption is correct.
I'm kinda confused. Should I soak the strap 30 secs. then heat the sheath or did you mean just heat the strap? I can slip just the strap out of the sheath.

Thanks
 
Just the strap If you can slip the strap out of the sheath. Reduce the heating time to 10 minutes per cycle since the strap is small.
 
SaguaroKid said:
Your assumption is correct.
I'm kinda confused. Should I soak the strap 30 secs. then heat the sheath or did you mean just heat the strap? I can slip just the strap out of the sheath.

Thanks
Click to expand...
If you can just slip the strap out of the sheath, call or write the maker, I'm sure they will make it right. If they dont, send the strap to me with the measurements you need it to be and I will make you one that will fit.
 
Just the strap If you can slip the strap out of the sheath. Reduce the heating time to 10 minutes per cycle since the strap is small.
 
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