wax or other treatments question?

S

sizzler

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
276
I see some folks have "waxed" their sheaths for looks and/or weatherproofing. What is this wax that is applied and is there a problem with the leather getting too soft and stretching because of it?

Is there a technique to applying it?


Thanks
 
I have heard beeswax, and oil mix for a hot dip by one maker. I really like the mellow yellow color it gives him. Sunrisecustomknives.com if I remember correctly.

I just treated my natural colored sheath with mink oil treatment (a nice white/clear cream)

The sheath darkened up a bit, and looks much nicer.

I have heard SnoSeal will work too. I used a hair dryer to get it to soak in a bit more.

I have used snow seal or mink oil over the years on my boots, and figured heck, give it a try.
 
yeah, I thought of that too. Would certainly make them waterproof.

But I know all of my custom handgun holsters are NEVER supposed to have any oil or leather treatment because it will ruin them. Nothing more than a damp cloth and maybe some polish.
 
I dip my sheathsin hot beeswax, fling off the excess wax, buff with a towel and then insert the knife. The sheath forms to the knife and forms a rigid , completely waterproof sheath.

Yes, moisture can get inside the sheath, but i dont worry about that when hiking. when i get home i remove the knife, wipe it dry, oil it and store it outside the sheath.
 
Bushman5 said:
I dip my sheathsin hot beeswax, fling off the excess wax, buff with a towel and then insert the knife. The sheath forms to the knife and forms a rigid , completely waterproof sheath.

Yes, moisture can get inside the sheath, but i dont worry about that when hiking. when i get home i remove the knife, wipe it dry, oil it and store it outside the sheath.
Click to expand...

You just use straight Beeswax?

So you don't wet mold first, then let dry and finish the sheath, and then dip?

I am asking because I am making a few more leather sheaths, and my favorite color leather sheaths come from a guy that says he does a full immersion in a hot bath of beeswax and some other oil (maybe neatsfoot, or mink oil?) Looked great.
 
Yeah, I would also like to know how you do it with the beeswax. Sounds like an interesting technique.
 
I imagine that there are multiple ways to use beeswax, and Bushman has brought up the dipping. I am concerned that dipping can burn the leather, or cause it to shrink, or so I have heard. Also, that is a great deal of hot wax to be working with. Not saying that it does not work, but I am not there.

With the sheath I made for an Iltis Hatchet, I used the following process...

I wet-formed the sheath. Then I drizzled wax over the sheath and with a heat gun I warmed it up so it would soak in and spread out. This was done several times, until I felt the sheath was well impregnated with wax from the outside... This actually firms the leather up, it was softer before I added beeswax, stiffer after. Lastly, I treated the interior of the sheath with neetsfoot oil, which will help keep moisture from collecting inside the sheath.

Images...

hatchetsheath_c_1500.jpg


hatchetsheath02_c_1200.jpg


hatchetsheath03_c_900.jpg


Marion
 
Those are some nice looking pieces of hide! Thanks for the info, I will probably try your method on my sheaths.
 
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