Should stain/dye made from black walnut husks be used on sheath?

[Joe R.]

I've read that it is supposed to be high in tannins.

If used on a leather sheath, would it really be strong enough to promote corrosion on a carbon steel blade?

 

[Wild Rose]

It works fine and that's based on having used it on several hundred sheaths as well as holsters with no more problems than commercial dyes. FWIW - even the standard un-dyed veg/bark tan leather is acidic being normally about 4.5 PH (neutral is 7) - if you're worried about it seal the inside of the sheath with a good acrylic finish like Resolene.

Corrosion is most often due to a combination of the unsealed leather and moisture - either direct moisture like water/rain or high humidity (above 35%) - bottom line still is do not store knives in leather for long periods of time and when being used keep the blade clean and well oiled.

 

[Joe R.]

Thanks for that Wild Rose.

I have a mason jar of the stuff I made maybe six or seven years ago for staining wood. Opened it up and PEEUUUU does it stink...but it did color the leather scrap nicely.



Concerning the second part of your post, if one were to use a wooden or plastic lining, could one get away with not using vegetable tanned leather?...(I'm new to this)

 

[Wild Rose]

Use of a non reactive lining such as plastic or wood would solve that problem. With walnut dye you can add a bit of rubbing alcohol to prevent it from souring.

 

[Joe R.]

Thanks again, didn't know the rubbing alcohol trick:thumbup: