Scabbard Leather treatment?

[GeorgeHill]

I was reading about how leather that is left against metal will deterorate it over the long term by absorbing moisture and keeping that moisture against the metal, and that the leather of a scabbard must be 'treated.'

Would anyone be so kind as to help me out with information on what to treat the leather with? I am also restrapping a metal sheild, and found rust under the original straps.... NAsty. I polished it off... So what leather tratments are good?

[Trei_Feske]

I'm not an expert in this, but I do know a good way to treat leather.


Leather Treatment

5oz. Beeswax

.5 pint tallow

.5pint neatsfoot oil

This recipe is an great preparation for waterproofing shoes. It is equally effective on leather coats, upholstery and riding tack. Gently heat all ingredients to about 160F; blend them together and pour into containers.


^That always works.

[Jeffrey Hull]

I like to use boiled linseed oil, or a half-half mix of boiled linseed oil & turpentine, on both the sword metal and the scabbard leather. And such is fine for wasters too.

Using the half-half mix is probably better for purposes of leather.

This stuff is all highly flammable and takes long to dry - so be careful and patient. Both materials are found for cheap at any hardware store.

I have had no problems with things properly treated with these.

And just to say it yet again: these are historically correct materials for the place and time concerned.

Good luck!

[GeorgeHill]

LEt's see...
Beeswax tallow and neatsfoot oil...

OR

linseed oil and turpintine... Wouldn't the turpintine make the leather smell bad afterwards?


Well, for either treatment, do you paint it on, or soak it on? And should I stain the leather before or after? (Some of the leather I want to treat I already stained, so it would be after, but for future referance...)

[robrobertson]

One of the things that the Norse used to do, is to line the inside of the scabbard with seal skin. Hair next to blade with the loose end of the hair pointed towards the tip. This way when you draw the blade it will clean it. I don't know where you live or what the environmentalists may have done to make that difficult, but I thought that you might find that interesting. It's something that I picked up from a museum in Edinburgh Scotland.

At the risk of sounding like a jerk to mention the obvious; MAINTENANCE!!!

About the only way to neglect your blade worse than blocking with the edge, or test cutting concrete is NEGLECT! Giving your blades a light coat of oil once a month, will be one of the best things that you can do.

Another option, especially if you're going to do a demo is to give your blade a light coat and buffing with car wax. It REALLY helps later when you need to remove all of those fingerprints! It'll even help your presentation go more smoothely as you can focus on it instead of the usual interruptions of "Please don't touch the blade..."

Coating the scabbard is great, but don't fall into the trap of neglect.

Fare thee well.

Rob

[Trei_Feske]

It all depends on your preference, I personally like to soak my leather, but some people prefer to paint it. The effects range from painting your leather and soaking of course, but I find soaking the leather to give a nice even look.

Good Luck