All About Pocket Knives

Hi folks,

I have a question concerning the leather sheaths of vintage Schrade knives:

I once owned a big hunting knife #171 UH and at this moment still a big folding knife #LB 8 "Papa Bear" (I will keep this beauty - that´s for sure).

The sheaths of both knives always appeared kinda "wet" (very soft / spongy).

Is there a possibilty to make them somehow stiffer?

Maybe putting the sheath into the oven?

If so, what temperature and duration would you recommend?

Any other alternatives?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Joern from Germany

It's only natural for leather to soften over time, that's it's nature. the following is a link from a Chuck Burrows post on another site. Personally, I'd do no more than Case the leather. Wet it, put it in a plastic bag and leave it in the refrigerator overnight. When ready the leather should look dry (as before wetting) but feel moist (to touch). Then bake (plastic bag removed) it at a LOW temperature, 130 degrees or so, about the inside of a car with the windows up on a warm day - NOT HOT! To hot will turn it to Rawhide or babiche (sp) as the French Canadiens called it OR, even crack it.

http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/showt ... hp?t=10270

The leather will soften with use again and if you are not an experiencened leather worker you risk making a suit of armor for your knife. Just Case the leather and letting it dry will work to some degree.

Water is both your friend and enemy - be careful.

EDIT: Get the leather too wet or leave it in the refrigerator to long you WILL GET MOLD. Then you will need to get a wood renwer containing Oxalic Acid to remove the mold - DON'T use bleach.

Wrap the knife in a single layer of plastic wrap and place it in the sheath before you start to dry. This way the sheath will shrink to fit the knife.

Good luck, it will either work or make a mess of your sheath depending on your skill with the leather. Myself, I don't do it.

Thank you very much for that info, my friend

So I guess it´ll be the best to live with it as it is because damaging the leather would be too annoying.

The sheath is labeled "Uncle Henry" and not "Schrade"...as I was told those are even more seldom, right?

Do you have a picture? It is always helpful to see a picture when working with something out of the ordinary.

I haven't had any sheaths, from U.S.A. made Schrade folding knives, like you've described...and would be interested in a picture. Some of the newer sheaths from Taylor are made with a reconstituted leather.

Is this what your knife looks like? (Picture borrowed from Larry's site)



Did you acquire it new?

Bill

Here are a couple more pictures showing the lockbacks.....and the standard sheaths. Your sheath with Uncle Henry sounds interesting.

Oh, more great Schrade stuff here.....

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/

Bill

911rescue wrote:Thank you very much for that info, my friend

So I guess it´ll be the best to live with it as it is because damaging the leather would be too annoying.

The sheath is labeled "Uncle Henry" and not "Schrade"...as I was told those are even more seldom, right?

Yes, unless you have some leather work experience. Merely casing the leather overnight in a refrigerator and letting it dry at room temperature and letting it dry or dyeing it will help, but with use it will return to it's former state.

WATER, a leather crafters best friend and worst nightmare all at once.

El Lobo wrote:Do you have a picture? It is always helpful to see a picture when working with something out of the ordinary.

I haven't had any sheaths, from U.S.A. made Schrade folding knives, like you've described...and would be interested in a picture. Some of the newer sheaths from Taylor are made with a reconstituted leather.

Is this what your knife looks like? (Picture borrowed from Larry's site)



Did you acquire it new?

Bill

Hi Bill,

sorry for delay but being a dive instructor I had to work last weekend

I purchased the knive from an ebay seller in the USA...it is in BNIB condition.

Here are some pics that I borrowed from the auction:





Hope this helps.

Joern

El Lobo wrote:Here are a couple more pictures showing the lockbacks.....and the standard sheaths. Your sheath with Uncle Henry sounds interesting.

Oh, more great Schrade stuff here.....

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/

Bill

Hi Bill,

I already posted the same question on bladeforums.com but I think it´ll be the best solution to keep the sheath as it is.

It seems to normal especially for vintage Schrade leather sheaths that they "behave" that way