Why are my scabbards closing up?

D

DeathDancer

Joined
Dec 20, 2000
Messages
578
Lately I have been having problems with my scabbards getting tight on my blades. The Khukuris arrive (plus one Tarwar), seem okay for a few awhile, then one day it becomes difficult to remove the blade.

I suspect moisture, but some of the Khukuris come from Washington, and some from Florida, which I'm sure have the same humidity problems of Southern California.

Am I missing something? And can someone give me a fix? I've already opened up three scabbards, including the Tarwar's, using the old technique of wet wooden wedges applied over an extended period of time. I really don't want to continue these little exercises if there is a solution.

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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
I suspect moisture too, but probably in the opposite way from what you appear to be thinking. I suspect that you (in So Cal) are drier than the scabbard was used to. Humidity seems to open up the scabbards rather than tightening them down.

For example, I, in Indiana, have consistently found that after spending some time here, my scabbards become noticeably looser than when they first arrive from Uncle Bill. The one that I bought from Rob Lefebvre (Khukman) in Louisiana has stayed about the same as when it arrived. I keep my khukuris (and their scabbards) in my garage rather than inside the heated and dehumidified house and have had no problems with either tight scabbards or cracking horn handles. I do make sure that the blades are oiled, though.

I suspect that So Cal is drier than either Washington or Florida. Regarding Washington, (I assume you are referring to buying a tarwar from Roger (rndzl) who is in the Seattle area) in case you hadn't heard
smile.gif
it rains a lot there. The Seattle area is probably a good deal wetter than So Cal, but IMHO, still seems less humid than Indiana. Florida (all parts that I am familiar with) is much more humid than any part of California, with the possible exception of the northern coast, but I'd still expect less humidity there than most of Florida.

Side note: I was raised in Portland (OR) where it also tends to rain frequently
smile.gif
, but my experience is that it is a lot more humid in Indiana. Tools that my dad kept in the basement of the house in Portland for decades with no rust whatsoever sprout rust like you wouldn't believe in my garage unless they are religiously oiled or waxed.

Paul


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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu
A tool is, basically, an object that enables you to take advantage of the laws of physics and mechanics in such a way that you can seriously injure yourself.
 
Dear Paul,

I also seem to have seen something to this effect in another Khukuri related thread. Anyone else want to corroborate?

Thanks, Paul.


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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
:
Rene, Paul is right on in his observations.
It is also very humid here in Oklahoma except for some generally dry periods during the winter when the drier air comes in the form of high pressure systems from the north.

I keep some of my khukuris against the north outside wall of our bedroom behind the door where it remains cooler than the rest of the house and haven't had problems yet.
I put some in the new gun safe I just got and so far so good there as well.

I don't have the rusting problems that Paul seems to have with anything pertaining to tools, knives or guns though, but then everything is in the house.

Reno is also very dry and Uncle Bill sometimes has problems, especially during the monsoon season in Nepal when the khukuris and such are sent to him. That's quite a humidity change.
If you live in the higher and drier area of Kalifornia I could see where the problem would be much the same as Reno, but if along the coast or in damper areas the problem should even out over time.

If the problem continues to persist I would recommend using something like neats foot oil or other leather preserative that actually softens the leather. That would at least stop the moisture or lack of from being such a problem. And would help the leather to stretch out a bit eliminateing the problem.

I really like Ballistol-Lube for the preservation of all parts of the khukuri rig.
It softens the leather a bit and soaks into the wood and horn handles
and hasn't caused me any etching problems either on steel or brass or silver.
Jerry said that there was a problem with it on big guns and such in the Navy, but that also it was left on very heavy.

I think you can check it out here.
http://www.ballistol.com



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>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Your scabbards are not shrinking, your blades are swelling. This is part of the magic (and frustration) of owning khukris.

Tom
 
Yvsa;
Where do you get Ballistol-Lube?
What kind of a lube is it, an oil or a grease?

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Ron,
Bremerton, Washington
0071.gif
 
Ron,

Simply click on:

http://www.ballistol.com

on Yvsa's post or here.

Deathdancer,

You could try leather relaxing conditioners such as Lexol. There is also a compound for stretching leather shoes. I use Rust Check on my knives which also lubricates blade-leather contact.

Will

[This message has been edited by Will Kwan (edited 02-15-2001).]
 
Thanks for the advice from everyone.

It seems, though, that I must get out the wood working tools and fashion those wedges to open up those scabbards.

Must admit that I'm getting pretty good, though my hands look like road rash--never was very good with wood!!

Maybe I'll even try making a few scabbard for my "naked" Khukuris.

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Watakushi Wa Shinajin Desu
DeathDancer
 
:
Thanks Will!
smile.gif

Ron if you will do a search on Ballistol or Ballistol-Lube there should be quite a lot of info on it.
I bought 3 .500 ml. cans and the guy threw in about 5 or 6 small spray cans of the B-L as well for free.
I have been using it on everything and so far no problems at all.YMMV.

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>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
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