rimfire4969 Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 I am hoping someone with some knowledge of leather can help me. One of my favourite little knifes is only held in the sheath with fiction, after lots of use it has become a bit lose. I fear that one day when I’m beating, going over a fence or ducking under a tree the knife will fall from the sheath and I will lose it. Is there a way of retightening the sheath? Sort of shrinking it at the neck end? any help would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 2 minutes ago, rimfire4969 said: I am hoping someone with some knowledge of leather can help me. One of my favourite little knifes is only held in the sheath with fiction, after lots of use it has become a bit lose. I fear that one day when I’m beating, going over a fence or ducking under a tree the knife will fall from the sheath and I will lose it. Is there a way of retightening the sheath? Sort of shrinking it at the neck end? any help would be much appreciated. hello, give mel b a PM his wife Lin makes very good and well made leather and canvas shooting items, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 Depends what kind of leather it is, mate. If it is moulded to a shape, it is more than likely veg tan. (Assuming it is) You can wet the sheath and put the knife into it (wrap in cling film to stop it rusting), re-mould it to the correct shape and leave to dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 5 minutes ago, humperdingle said: Depends what kind of leather it is, mate. If it is moulded to a shape, it is more than likely veg tan. (Assuming it is) You can wet the sheath and put the knife into it (wrap in cling film to stop it rusting), re-mould it to the correct shape and leave to dry. +1 But just 1 thickness of film - too much defeats the object. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 7 minutes ago, Yellow Bear said: +1 But just 1 thickness of film - too much defeats the object. Indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted November 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 I have had dealings with Mel b and his good lady and I can’t speak highly enough of the goods and service I received but in this case I don’t want a new sheath unless nothing can be done. 1 hour ago, humperdingle said: Depends what kind of leather it is, mate. If it is moulded to a shape, it is more than likely veg tan. (Assuming it is) You can wet the sheath and put the knife into it (wrap in cling film to stop it rusting), re-mould it to the correct shape and leave to dry. Thanks for this info I will give it a go as it is moulded, do I use hot water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 29 minutes ago, rimfire4969 said: Thanks for this info I will give it a go as it is moulded, do I use hot water? Cold water will do and wet slowly until just "plastic" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 Cold water is fine. If you have any ability to carve a replica of the knife but ever so slightly smaller than the original, then do this and use that as the model to mold on. The knife will then fit tighter with a but of luck. I have moulded a lot of things including pistols and revolvers and found that the result will often not be as tight as you would wish. Now if I make a knife, I also make a wooden replica. The blade is not a problem so no need to get the wood that thin but just the handle. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBeaky Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 If you use warmer water to re-mould the sheath (hand-washing temperature), you can shrink the leather slightly, so your layer of cling film means you can still get the knife in and out. Don't use hot water, or you will harden the leather as well (this is a whole different game!). Probably not a technique to try for the first time on something irreplaceable, but with practice you can refit a sheath that has worn loose. Grease the blade with Vaseline before you put the cling film on - for extra protection and also to make sure you can get the knife out. Wet the sheath with the knife in, and don't remove the knife again until almost dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 Plenty of very good advice above. If you have no joy with it , just pop it into the post , and her good self will take care of it for you 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 leather working is a dark art to me..................wish i had the artistic skill and brains to do it.................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted November 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 31 minutes ago, mel b3 said: Plenty of very good advice above. If you have no joy with it , just pop it into the post , and her good self will take care of it for you 👍 Fingers crossed I can get it sorted. If not you will be the first to know. Thank you everyone for your input. PW at its best always someone to help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltings Posted April 3, 2019 Report Share Posted April 3, 2019 dampen leather with hot water until supple place knife in sheath in cling film or heavily oiled surfaces place in vacuum bag or any plastic bag connected to a vacuum cleaner and leave it running over night the leather should set up then leave to dry or use a long lanyard on the knife so you don't loos it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.