Waterproofing a Custom leather sheath for underwater duty

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Rbpwrd240

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Sep 18, 2014
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Hi all,

I use a Buck Alaskan guide series knife with S30V steel as my primary bush craft knife. I often times swim with the knife as it is always on my hip. I spend about 150 days a year in the outdoors guiding fishing kayaking and all around adventure training. I have gone hundreds of miles through Canada's BWCA, weeks through northern California's lost coast and I swam with my blade for hours and hours on these adventures with no problems what so ever. However I cant say the same for the factory sheath.

At this point the sheath is leaking its dye and is stating to look very rough. The knife is S30V steel so it never rusts but I would like to make a nice custom sheath for it. I have ordered the leather and tooling necessary but where I am stuck is with what I should use for waterproofing. It seems most people waterproof with wax for wet climates but not for true underwater duty. Id like to know what I can coat my custom sheaths with for absolute water protection. I have noticed that the factory sheath grows mold quite easily and I am tired of dowsing it with 90% isopropal all the time and having dye run all over the place. I have researched and found that paraffin, beeswax, beaver fat, neatsfoot and snow seal are all practical answers but I want the best for waterproofing protection and mold resistance. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I have already decided my next sheath wont have any die it will just be a natural color so now I just need to know how to protect the leather. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Alex R.
 
I vote for kydex as well.
If you really must have leather try birch tar. It was traditionally used to waterproof leather and keep it from rotting/ forming mold. Search it, it's easy to use, easy to make even in the bush. It's nice for wood too. Leaves a dark brown finish
 
I understand the Kydex theory but I dont have the materials and the know how necessary for Kydex. I do however have leather so if we could focus on leather even if its not the best solution I would appreciate it. Honestly what made me go with leather is the infinite amount of uses. I can buy scrap leather and make straps for my bag, collars for my dog, a sheath for my hatchet and my knife where kydex is a large investment for the sole purpose of making just one sheath. Or at least it is with my limited kydex knowledge.

Thanks,
Alex R.
 
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Going off of the title of your thread, the answer is that there is no way to protect a leather sheath in an under water environment. Possibly soak it in epoxy? Everything else you listed seems to be the best protection going for leather that behaves anything like leather. FYI, the investment to start working with kydex can be very minimal.
 
Sno seal. Heat up the sheath with a hair dryer, heat gun, oven, etc. the rub sno seal on and it will turn to liquid and soak in. Do this until it stops taking it. Works well for boots and other leather stuff as well as canvas and cloth. Neatsfoot oil I use often to keep leather from drying out, rotting and falling apart, and it does do some waterproofing but is more a "preserver" then waterproofer.
 
As mentioned before kydex is the preferred choice for any waterproof applications and there are many tutorials available to guide you in the sheath making process. You can try to waterproof it by waxing it like how some people wax leather flasks ( look up leather flagon). That said, there aren't any moving parts in those and the leather is too inflexible for wear and tear normal for knife sheaths (regular flexing/ possible bending), making it potentially prone to cracking (at least in my experience with waxing leather where it was completely saturated). Like any organic material it will be prone to rot if there is prolonged exposure to water and will likely require frequent maintenance to re-waterproof it.
 
As a leather guy, I agree. Leather can not be made waterproof and keep the characteristics of what makes it leather. It can be made water resistant though. I've done what you described, in many of the same places, so do have an understanding. Me I'd probably go to a second hand store and buy an old pot big enough to melt enough SnoSeal or something similar that I could dunk the sheath in and then let it drip dry. Since you can make your own sheath ($10-$20 of leather), if ya got a season out of it, wouldn't that be a win? You're on the right track not dyeing the leather. If ya want it a little darker, oil it lightly (very lightly) with neatsfoot oil and set out in the sun. Remember to turn it over so the color is uniform. Do this before the SnoSeal.
 
Guitarist7.62 said:
Sno seal. Heat up the sheath with a hair dryer, heat gun, oven, etc. the rub sno seal on and it will turn to liquid and soak in. Do this until it stops taking it. Works well for boots and other leather stuff as well as canvas and cloth. Neatsfoot oil I use often to keep leather from drying out, rotting and falling apart, and it does do some waterproofing but is more a "preserver" then waterproofer.
Click to expand...

This is what I would do. Or some other beeswax product. It will need to be reapplied over the years but heat to open the pores in the leather and reduce the viscosity of the wax is the best leather preserver I've used. The biggest problem is you will not get a rigid leather like you might normally want for a sheath. It doesn't get as soft as neats foot, but it doesn't dry out and take a set either.
 
Check out leather armour making, it might give you some ideas. A cuir bouilli process might work for you but you would probably need a retention strap for the knife.
 
I have never heard of this being done, but what about having K&G stabilize the sheath.
You might call K&G and see what they think. Stabilization works on soft wood, it might work on leather.
 
OK this is just a recommendation so take it for what it is worth. If you decide to go in this direction I would find someone who has worked extensively with the product. Stingray skin! If the sheath maker or leather worker has not worked with Stingray before they are not going to be able to direct you in the right direction!

Check out these couple of sites to get started!!

http://www.panamleathers.com/blog/bid/338920/The-History-of-Stingray-Skin

The second will give you and idea of what is potentially available!!

http://shop.panamleathers.com/stingray-skin/
 
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