wet mold & hot wax - sheath questions

F

Foilist

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Dec 20, 2004
Messages
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I have a sheath that came with a BRK&T Mini Canadian, which is too loose. I have read a number of threads about wet molding and hot waxing to tighten and harden sheaths, and I'd like to try it.

However, the sheath seems to be oil treated. Can these things still be done? It's a nice little fold over, pouch style sheath, but the knife is so loose it will fall right out if I tip it upside down.

Also, I have ordered a Russell Woodswalker hip pocket sheath for it. I'd like to hot wax the portion where the blade goes but leave the rest of the sheath flexible. Can this be done?
 
If the sheath has been oiled, it is unlikely to be able to wetmold. Can't hurt to try it. Some of the oil finishes aren't very waterproof. Depending on the kind of sheath there may be other ways to tighten it up. On is to consider a kydex liner, or some other type of plastic. The other is to add another row of stitches to tighten it up. Bit of warning though, it's not advisable to have exposed stitches on the edge side as it's really easy for the blade to cut those.

Anyway, post some pics of the sheath and maybe I can give you some better ideas of what to do.

Charles
 
Thanks for the advice. I'm too technologically inept to post a picture, but the sheath is a traditional, simple, pouch-style that is folded over the spine side of the knife and stitched along the edge side. Only about an inch of the knife's butt end is exposed.

What about adding an eyelet or rivet near the top to tighten the opening - any down side to that?
 
Stop!!!!!!!

You're forgetting who you're dealing with!

It's too late today, but tomorrow, call the BRKT shop in Escanaba, and talk to Jilly. The number is on their website.

If the sheath is too loose, they will send you a new one.

Don't try to wet mold it - it will probably only make it looser in the long run!

Call the shop! They'll take care of it! Honest!
 
Call the shop. Best way to make sure. I had a similar problem with my Mini-skinner. However, mine wouldn't even fit in the sheath. I just made a new one.

If you have one coming from the shop, its worth trying on the one you have. I have wet molded and used a hot mix of mink oil and bees wax to shape and harden a couple of BRKT sheaths.

Wet it down, put the knife in and form it with something like a butter knife handle. Once you have it where you want it, you need to secure it with a clamp or something like it and let it dry over night. If it gets the sheath tighter, then mix a can of mink oil with 2-4 oz of beeswax, heat, dip sheath twice and let it dry. You can buff it with a cloth when it cools.
 
From what I've been reading, Bark River seems to have a legendary customer service reputation. I'll contact them and see if I can get a new sheath.
 
Hey Foilist,
I know your thread is about the sheath, but I can't help asking.... How is that Mini-Canadian? How do you like the convex grind and how is the out-of-the-box sharpness? How about the handle length/breadth/depth in your hand? Did you get mosaic, standard, or hollow pins?

I'm curious because I've committed to making a BRKT knife my next knife purchase. I'm considering the mini-Skinner but it's not radically different than the Canadian and I'd really like to hear how you like it. Thanks in advance if you care to tell us about the new knife.
 
I've got a mini-skinner and I think you will really like it. very ergonomic and nice and sharp out of the box. The scales are a little squared off. I've been considering rounding mine off. Of the BRKT knives I have (Mini-skinner, Fox River, Huntsman, Lil Chute, Mini-northstar, Mini slither), I like the mini skinner the best. I'm eyeing a Mikro Canadian.
 
My freind has a minni canadian with standard pins. Its too small for me, but he has smaller hands and really likes it. They say its a "4 finger" but I can only fit 3 fingers on it (including one finger on the choil). the handle is too small girth/depth wise for me too. for referance, I wear a men's large glove.

I have an aurora and I like it alot. nice practical blade shape, handle is definatly beefy enough for big hands, and is more contoured / erogonomic than other BRKT's that I've handled. both knives were shaving sharp out of the box, and I'd say just about ideal geometry for there pourpose. nice sheaths too, especially the aurora.
 
Stretch,

I have not yet really used the Mini Canadian except to cut some paracord and leather thongs to experiment with lanyards, and to open a package. But I am very impressed with it. It is easily the best quality knife I have (others include some multitools, SAKs, a Spyderco Native, and a Becker Crewman). It is compact enough for pocket carry, but seems very strong like it would "cut bigger than it is." Sharp? It is so sharp that if I dream I cut myself, I have to go get stitches when I wake up. The convex grind seems like I can easily maintain it by stropping if I take care not to let it get truly dull. I also find it very pleasing to the eye, and it fits comfortably in my medium-sized hands. The choil allows a four finger grip, but a three-finger seems more comfortable.

I accidentally bought TWO of them due to a back order that I forgot to cancel. Green micarta/ hollow pins and brown & tan burl/mosaic pins. I'm leaning towards keeping the micarta. Zap me an email or pm if you are interested in one.
 
Foilist said:
Stretch,

I accidentally bought TWO of them due to a back order that I forgot to cancel. Green micarta/ hollow pins and brown & tan burl/mosaic pins. I'm leaning towards keeping the micarta. Zap me an email or pm if you are interested in one.
Click to expand...

Yes, I remember that post of yours. I think I may have already asked you to send me the extra one....maybe I forgot to ask. Anyway, now you're inferring that I might have to pay to get the extra one????! hehe

In all seriousness, yes I'm interested but I really have my eye on the mini-skinner. I like the mini-Canadian too and would like to own one, Foilist, but I recently purchased a BM 210 and I can't afford two at once right now.

We were watching Bear Grylls the other night and he made a multi-forked bamboo fishing spear. My wife says "Honey, you should try to make one of those" to which I replied "Yea, I want to. I'll need a new knife to do it with though". She scoffed, but I've known her for 27 years now and baby steps are the way to get these things done :D
 
StretchNM said:
We were watching Bear Grylls the other night and he made a multi-forked bamboo fishing spear. My wife says "Honey, you should try to make one of those" to which I replied "Yea, I want to. I'll need a new knife to do it with though". She scoffed, but I've known her for 27 years now and baby steps are the way to get these things done :D
Click to expand...



Ha - you should have seen my wife's reaction when that second Mini C arrived!:)
 
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