GEC Leather Pocket Slip: Help

T

The Law

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Jan 8, 2013
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45
I've just got in my leather pocket slip and I love it! I do have a cosmetic issue however, the front panel (with the GEC logo on it) is smooth and dyed leather, but the back is unfinished and rather scratchy. It's not a big problem by an means, but can anyone with leather-working experience give me some advice on how to smooth that piece out?

Thanks in advance! :thumbup:
 
Mine is the same way...I thought it was to help it stay in your pocket when you sat down...an anti-slip feature.
 
I almost posted that mine were both smooth on both sides when I realized I have the KSF pocket slip. The GEC one you have by JRE has the rough suede side on the back.
 
Alnamvet68 said:
I almost posted that mine were both smooth on both sides when I realized I have the KSF pocket slip. The GEC one you have by JRE has the rough suede side on the back.
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The GEC pocket slips are actually made in house at the GEC factory, not by JRE.
 
They are rough, swede on one side to keep them from falling out of your pocket.

I have some but have found that it annoys me to have to use two hands to retrieve it so I don't use them anymore.
 
Some clear paste wax, put on warm so it soaks in good, then buffed, will be smooth without being slippery.
 
They sell a six buck pair of kangaroo leather gloves at Tractor Supply. I bought a pair and snip the fingers out for some really slick leather slip pouches for my slip joints. Soft thin leather and just a sweet pouch in the pocket fitting peanut up to my STR-EK size pretty good and some larger but I rarely have bigger than that in my pocket. Anyway, my wife folds over and hems the end and they make for a nice cheap carry. I've done that for years and found it faster easier and better for me in most cases. Ordering one is fun but often the ones I've bought are so thick that I just didn't feel they did anything but add bulk to my pocket. Something I certainly don't need. Just FYI
 
STR said:
They sell a six buck pair of kangaroo leather gloves at Tractor Supply. I bought a pair and snip the fingers out for some really slick leather slip pouches for my slip joints. Soft thin leather and just a sweet pouch in the pocket fitting peanut up to my STR-EK size pretty good and some larger but I rarely have bigger than that in my pocket. Anyway, my wife folds over and hems the end and they make for a nice cheap carry. I've done that for years and found it faster easier and better for me in most cases. Ordering one is fun but often the ones I've bought are so thick that I just didn't feel they did anything but add bulk to my pocket. Something I certainly don't need. Just FYI
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:thumbup: I have saved old leather work gloves for years just for this purpose....but never got started on it.

Thanks for the tip on the Kangaroo leather! :)

I have put 5 knives in a pair of brown jersey work gloves to store in a bag.
 
A homemade leather slip is best to me and nearly cost-free of course. I used the soft thick leather from a damaged motorcycle jacket and it works great. I only use it with a couple of my "pretty" knives that I want to keep as scuff-free as possible yet still carry and use it. Generally my knives just ride in my RFP or watch pocket as-is.
 
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With my 92 Eureka Jack
 
This is a nice one,not that i use it as all my regular carry knives ride in my watch pocket or in my kerchief pocket,

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The guys on the "sheaths & such" sub-forum will tell you to stay away from chrome-tanned leathers because they can cause negative reactions such as discoloration or corrosion during long term contact because of the chemicals. I found that to be true with a GEC toothpick whose bolsters turned yellow. It buffed out with no problems and the key to using some glove fingers, "fine" garment leather, and upholstery leathers is to only use the sheath when you've got the knife in your pocket. Vegetable tanned leathers are the material of choice for the guys that make "durable" leather goods because they are more robust and tend to last longer. I like the idea of using glove fingers and have a pair of "black" Navy gloves that may be sacrificed for the cause. There have been many threads on this sub-forum about pocket sheaths with lots of pictures and innovative designs - dig them out and look them over.
 
I've found the "glove fingers" to be great slips for putting the knife in and putting the whole thing in your pocket. They aren't stiff enough to clip inside your pocket and take the knife in and out.

I'm actually playing with plastic tubes for that. My latest Rube Goldberg is a rawhide pouch clipped in my back pocket to hold an Opinel upright. The rawhide holds it's shape... is actually rock hard. Good for work I guess but ugly as homemade sin and too cumbersome for home use. The search continues.

Now back to our regular programming.
 
qncygnnr said:
The guys on the "sheaths & such" sub-forum will tell you to stay away from chrome-tanned leathers because they can cause negative reactions such as discoloration or corrosion during long term contact because of the chemicals. I found that to be true with a GEC toothpick whose bolsters turned yellow. It buffed out with no problems and the key to using some glove fingers, "fine" garment leather, and upholstery leathers is to only use the sheath when you've got the knife in your pocket. Vegetable tanned leathers are the material of choice for the guys that make "durable" leather goods because they are more robust and tend to last longer. I like the idea of using glove fingers and have a pair of "black" Navy gloves that may be sacrificed for the cause. There have been many threads on this sub-forum about pocket sheaths with lots of pictures and innovative designs - dig them out and look them over.
Click to expand...

....and this is why I prefer the simplicity and fine craftsmanship of the KSF pocket sheath, because it's vegetable tanned, and priced at less than $20.00.

 
I've been making these for my "pretties" that I want to keep pretty :D Folded Deer hide so the inside and outside are both the skin surface. The loop goes through a belt loop and used to pull the sheath out which is held straight up and down in the back edge of the front pocket ( this depends on where the belt loop is)

Regards

Robin
 
I picked this guy up from a maker on her, redbeardo, and it's proving a perfect carry solution for me. Paired with a flash light it slips right in my left back pocket and rides just like the wallet in my right back pocket.
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qncygnnr said:
The guys on the "sheaths & such" sub-forum will tell you to stay away from chrome-tanned leathers because they can cause negative reactions such as discoloration or corrosion during long term contact because of the chemicals. I found that to be true with a GEC toothpick whose bolsters turned yellow. It buffed out with no problems and the key to using some glove fingers, "fine" garment leather, and upholstery leathers is to only use the sheath when you've got the knife in your pocket. Vegetable tanned leathers are the material of choice for the guys that make "durable" leather goods because they are more robust and tend to last longer. I like the idea of using glove fingers and have a pair of "black" Navy gloves that may be sacrificed for the cause. There have been many threads on this sub-forum about pocket sheaths with lots of pictures and innovative designs - dig them out and look them over.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this information, I did not even know that this would be an issue! Out of curiosity, why use chrome tanning over vegetable? What is the advantage?

Thank you all for these replies, they have helped a lot!
 
One thing to remember,just like a fixed blade knife, carbon steel folders sound NOT be stored in a leather sheath. The leather holds moisture and thus can contribute to Rusting.

Best regards

Robin
 
The main two advantages are price and suppleness. Price can be as little as 1/3 of vegetable tanned. **WOW**
 
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