White spots from sheath?

[A. Brett Schaller]

For the last year or two, I've had a problem with white spots showing up on my handle material (both Micarta and natural woods) after the knife has been left in the sheath for a day or so. It seems as though the leather is wicking out some of the oils in the handle. Rubbing the spots with my thumb seems to make them go away - probably because of the natural oils in the skin.

The problem seems to have started about the time I started using pre-dyed leather from Wickett and Craig. I'm not sure their particular leather is the cause of the problem, but I'd hate to switch, because it's such nice leather.

I've tried several fixes, including:

Taking the Micarta to 1200 grit using mineral oil as a sanding fluid before buffing
Using a coat of wax on the handle
Lining the inside of the sheath with a thin piece of finished leather
Using Snow Seal wax finish on the inside of the sheath (tried this before I started lining the sheaths)
Cursing and threatening the Micarta with a 40 grit belt if it didn't stop doing that

All these (except the last one, probably) have reduced but not eliminated the problem.

Anyone else suffer from this? Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[A. Brett Schaller]

Trying desperately to put a picture into that post, but the new forum software won't seem to allow it. Click here to see what the heck I'm talking about...

http://www.schallerknives.com/images/graphics/micspots.jpg

 

[A. Brett Schaller]

OK, I can't seem to put a link in either! Curse the new forum softare! Help!

(If you copy and paste that link attempt into your browser, you'll see the pic.)

 

[Alanp]

No help with the problem but here's your picture in a post.

If you ever have trouble with this stuff, just put

after your pictures location. Same for links except use [*url] before and [*/url] after (minus the stars).

 

[lonepine]

It's probably the result of a misspent youth coming back to haunt you now.

I'm clueless (What's new, huh?). It sounds like you're not sure if it is a leather problem or a micarta problem. That you didn't have the problem before but noticed it recently.

Have you asked this question of Wickett and Craig?

Does it happen with any other leathers or just the pre-dyed stuff?

Does it only happen to the micarta when in the sheath?

Have you changed sources for the micarta?

Does it appear as if anything oily is collecting on the blade while in the sheath?

What if you stuffed the sheath with paper towels and left it in a warm place for a week?

- Paul Meske, Wisconsin

 

[A. Brett Schaller]

It's probably the result of a misspent youth coming back to haunt you now.

You are certainly correct!

Have you asked this question of Wickett and Craig?

Not yet, but that's a good suggestion. Tried calling them today, but it looks like they're off for Good Friday.

Does it happen with any other leathers or just the pre-dyed stuff?

Haven't used any other leather lately - it never happened with any of the plain leather I'd used in the past.

Does it only happen to the micarta when in the sheath?

Yep - the knife can sit outside the sheath for any length of time without this happening.

Have you changed sources for the micarta?

Nope, I get Micarta from several different sources (Jantz, Sheffield, etc.) and haven't changed.

Does it appear as if anything oily is collecting on the blade while in the sheath?

No, nothing at all on the blade.

What if you stuffed the sheath with paper towels and left it in a warm place for a week?

Good question - I'll give it a try.

Thanks!

Brett

 

[sheathmaker]

I have been using Wickett and Craig leather for about four years in four colors.

I fully line everything I make with either deer skin or 2/3oz W&C

I average about 600 sheaths per year so we're talking over 2000 sheaths.

I have had the problem you experienced only two or three times times on Micarta. The immediate cure is a little oil over the entire handle as it will darken it temporarily and be noticeable if it is just spot applied on a lighter color of Micarta. It will return to almost the original color as the oil levels in the Micarta. Black like you showed should probably not show any color differential with the application of the oil. (I use a little Neatsfoot oil or one of my blade cleaning cloths impregnated with Break Free CLP, either one works).

In short, I do not think it is a problem with the Wickett&Craig, but rather just some Micarta (not all). I might have experienced this more if I made unlined sheaths, I don't know.

Not much help, but it's all I know and how I dealt with a similar situation.

Paul

 

[A. Brett Schaller]

Thanks, Paul. One thing I didn't mention is that I typically rub some mineral oil into the Micarta handles when finishing them. I've noticed in the last few years that the colors in Micarta aren't as deep or consistent as they used to be, and rubbing oil into them helps make the color more consistent. It could just be that the leather is wicking away the oil.

Thanks Alanp for posting my pic. I somehow got my settings on mobile (whatever that means) and wasn't able to properly post or to change settings! I finally solved the problem by logging out and logging back in again.