Too much wax???

T

Terry_Dodson

Joined
Jul 10, 2002
Messages
839
I just got me a crock pot and melted some beeswax blend wax in it to seal a new sheath i just made, (sorry no pic yet, just a puch sheath with a tek-lock attached, but not while sealing it). I melted the wax till it was all fuid, no lumps left, and used a ladle to start puring it over and into the sheath, several times trying to get it thin and even all over. took it out and wiped it down on the outside and inside as much as i could get with a soft cloth. the outside looks great, and it hardened up some, which i think is ok as this sheat is slightly wet formed to hold the knife in (no snaps). I slid the knife in and set it aside to cool for a while. when i went to take out the knife it was stuck inside, i twisted it a little and it came out, but there was wax on the blade. so i wiped that off and repeatedly put it in and out till i thought it was ok. but later when i tried to take it out again, it was again stuck. Did i put too much wax inside? How can i get rid of it without hurting the sheath?

Edit: here is a link to some pics of the redone sheath:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/terry_dodson/album?.dir=/a782
 
I always try to leave a hole in the end of the sheath so the wax will drain out.
To really do a good job the wax needs to be heated to 300 degrees. I use a 50/50 mix with mink oil. Heat the mix to 300 degrees and dunk the sheath in. Do this quick or you will have something that looks like a fried pork rind.
(chickarone)If the wax starts bubling around the leather it means it's being deep fried. Try a few tests with some scrap.Done right there is almost no wax coating the sheath it's all absorbed. Done wrong there is no sheath. Don't ask me how I know.
This idea mostly came from "How to make Knifes" Barney and Loveless.
Take Care
TJ Smith
 
Thanks guys. I did have a hole to let it drain, but i think i suck the cold blade in before it all drained and it hardened, i am going to heat it up a little and try to let it drain.
 
try pointing a hair-dryer down into the sheath - you might be able to get the wax softened up a bit. Then use a toothbrush to spread it around and clean any excess out.
 
I heat my wax and mink oil mix to a point were it almost smoking.I use wooden tongs to hold the sheath and dip it pretty quick but not to fast.I do get some boiling around the edges of the sheath and found that if I dont I will end up with a bad thick wax build up.I just dump the wax back out the top of the sheath with no drain hole.The leather will shrink overnight,this actually gives the best fit.
If you are still getting a wax build up on the inside what I was told to do (and have done)take one of those plastic bags you get when buying vegetables at the grociery store.slip the knife in it and wrap it just a little or the knife wont fit in the sheath as tight as you would like.When the wax has set and isnt hot anymore just pull the knife and bag out this will bring most of the wax left on the inside surface with the bag and the you can reinsert the knife uncovered.You can try redipping the sheath if you feel you have to much wax on the outside and this will melt the wax off snf make it penatrate better also.Rays idea of putting it in the oven will work also just set the sheath op so the excess wax can run out on a piece of foil ot old pan,not just the stove bottom.You wont ever get it completely out of the oven if you do that.
My mix is 2/3 wax to 1/3 hard mink oil,not the liquid.

Some leathers are not completely cured like what they use for boot laces,this stuff will come out like a fried pork rind,good fully cured leather shouldnt do anything but shrink on the knife just like wet forming.

One caution also..when doing this to your sheaths dont put carbon steel blades in the sheath when it is still real hot,it causes the steel to sweat and rust real fast,let the sheath cool off a little first..Experience will teach us allot ;)

Bruce
 
Thanks, i tried last night with just remelting the wax in the crock pot and redoing it and letting it cool without the blade in it and it is better, but still sticks just a little, i will try again and this time use the grocery bag idea.
Thanks again. :D
 
Thanks, it actually worked out better than i thought it would. It even makes a clicking (popping) type of sound as it goes in or out. :D
 
Here is a secret about a waxed sheath...

Being leather it will streatch a little as it is used,Just set it in the sun on a dashboard or window sill.the sun will warm it up enough to soften the wax and let you re-form by hand when it is cooling off.Then it gets that snap fit back..
Bruce
 
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