Stacked leather handles

I

iwannamakeknives

Joined
Oct 17, 2009
Messages
75
Hey all, just a quick question on stacked leather handles and perhaps a photo request. How does stacked leather do with blood from gutting a deer. Does anyone have pictures of their stacked leather that has seen some blood over the years.

Thanks
 
No pictures, but I have used a Hess Muley with black leather washer handles to gut a deer. They became a little dryer after I washed the blood off. Make sure you treat the handles before and after. I used Sno-Seal on mine. They are fine now. Like the carbon steel, the leather needs to be looked after from time to time. Even when not in use.
 
I used Kiwi neutral. Melt it in with a hair dryer.
 
I would agree with the above posts; ie., use a wax-based product on leather handles, not oil. also, it may be worth noting that leather handles are slippery when wet. I think that the blood would be more of an issue with any exposed steel, such as that in WESTERN bifurcated tang knives, where the steel tang is showing. Blood on non-stainless steel leaves its mark right quick. Blood has an acid component, and ironically, a lot of leather has residual acid in it. That is why careful collectors sometimes do NOT store their knives in the sheath.
 
I treat my stacked leather handles and leather sheathes with SnowSeal. Melt it in, 2 or 3 coats.
 
This Schrade-Walden H15 has seen it's share of blood in my hands and by owner(s) prior to me - the handle has held up well. When I'm done cleaning an animal I simply wipe the leather down with a damp cloth after I clean the blade edge, then touch up the edge on ceramic sticks, wipe the entire knife with a lightly oiled cloth, and store until the next use. OH

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