How can I make an old leather sheath fit like when it was new?

[ackeith4570]

My uncle gave one of his knives before he passed away, and he told me to use it like he would. It is the original sheath but it does not hold the knife at all. Is this any thing i can do to shrink it to make it tight so I can use the knife like he wanted me too?



Thanks,

 

[Bladenoobie1]

You can wetform it. Simply soak the sheath in water until it becomes very soft or pliable. Then stick the knife inside and mold the sheath around it. If its just a regular pouch sheath, then just remove the knife after you wet formed it and let the sheath completely dry. When it dries it will retain the shape you formed it too, then increasing retention.

On another note, something I do to my sheaths is that I hot wax em with beeswax. It makes it water proof and increases retention a lot.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

You can wetform it. Simply soak the sheath in water until it becomes very soft of pliable. Then stick the knife inside and mold the sheath around it. If its just a regular pouch sheath, then just remove the knife after you wet formed it and let the sheath completely dry. When it dries it will retain the shape you formed it too, then increasing retention.

On another note, something I do to my sheaths is that I hot wax em with beeswax. It makes it water proof and increases retention a lot.

This.

If it's a carbon blade, wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap.

 

[Bighaze51]

This is a great way to get the sheath working again. I like to wrap the knife in a layer or two or saranwrap. Wet the sheath and for it around the knife. You can use a hair dryer to speed up the dring process and it will harden the leather a little better.

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

What if the sheath has already had the hot wax bath? I have a heavy leather pouch sheath that was already waxed and it's not holding the knife secure anymore.

 

[Bladenoobie1]

What if the sheath has already had the hot wax bath? I have a heavy leather pouch sheath that was already waxed and it's not holding the knife secure anymore.

If its already hot waxed that means the current shape of the sheath is pretty much set and secured. There really isn't much to do if your sheath is already hot waxed and its loose.

You could try putting the sheath in an oven to soften the wax and pay close attention not to let it overheat--to then remold the sheath but I don't know if that will work.

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

If its already hot waxed that means the current shape of the sheath is pretty much set and secured. There really isn't much to do if your sheath is already hot waxed and its loose.

You could try putting the sheath in an oven to soften the wax and pay close attention not to let it overheat--to then remold the sheath but I don't know if that will work.

I was afraid of that. Appreciate the response. I may go ahead and try to gentle heat approach. Sort of the opposite of what I had to do with a Kydex holster that was too tight for the gun. That worked out, so hopefully this will.

 

[Bighaze51]

What kind of knife is it? You could always make your own sheath. There are tutorials all over YouTube showing you how. I've made a few from leftover latigo leather from my razor strop for my old buck folders. And wet forming veg tan leather is fun too. Here is the one I made for my 2dot buck 110. It isn't as bulky as the factory sheath and there is no flap to get in the way. A good wet formed sheath lets the knife lock in kind of like kydex.