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The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum This is the place to discuss all forms of sheath and holster making. |
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#46
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Chuck Burrows Moderator aka "Wild Rose" Registered: Sep 2002 Location: Durango, Co Posts: 2667 Curt - I've found the best thing for mixing up my wax is a crock pot - no open flame and no real muss and fuss, plus I can use it in my workshop AWAY from the kitchen. I love to hear about these mixes. Mine is: rather than rosin I use pine/brewers pitch or pinon pine pitch (I just got six pounds - if you'd like to try some give me a shout) - makes a bit harder wax than rosin, but still plenty sticky. I tried various mixes including ones with carnuba (a component of atomicc wax I believe???) and olive oil (never was quite sure the reason for the oil), but I finally settled on one I got from an old German shoemaker - mix 60-80% pitch and the balance beeswax (the more pitch the harder and stickier it is). I use around 70% pitch normally and this is good and sticky but too much. One should burnish the thread after by pulling the through your fingers several times (if you've got old scaly ones like me ) or with a piece of leather or brown paper bag - this "sets" the wax deep into the threads fibers and will actually strengthen them. BTW - this mix smells good! (at least to me) The great thing about using pitch is that pitch (or rosin) is that contains a natural anti-bacterial/fungal that helps keep the threads and leather from rotting. Curt -got a question - I just pour my melted mix into old yogurt containers (about a third full) and let it cool - makes a nice using size for waxing threads so why into the cold water? __________________ Chuck Burrows Hand Crafted Leather & Frontier Knives dba Wild Rose Trading Co PO Box 5174, Durango, CO 81301 chuck@wrtcleather.com www.wrtcleather.com |
#47
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cgillock CKD Member Registered: Jun 2002 Location: monroe, nc Posts: 17 Chuck I used the cold water because that is the way it showed in the recipe. Your recipe does look easier. I'm purt near out of coad at the moment. And would like to try your version. Never used the pine pitch. But am always willing to try new things. I believe the harder wax would be just the thing for this NC heat. I am interested in some of the pitch just let me know where to get a hold of some. Have you ever checked out the Crispin Colloquy? A world of info on leatherwork. Are you stitching with needles or bristles? Ever use bear oil for leather conditioner. I have a source. __________________ Curt Gillock Two Fools Leather Goods 903 Woodhurst Dr. Monroe, NC 28110 twofoolsleathergoods.com gadabout@twofoolsleathergoods.com |
#48
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Chuck Burrows Moderator aka "Wild Rose" Registered: Sep 2002 Location: Durango, Co Posts: 2667 Howdy Curt- I'll send you cake of my mix made with pinon pitch (need to make some new up anyway) - if you like it then contact Max Burnett - MaxtheKnife her on CKD. With pitch the longer you cook it the harder it gets. For Brewer's Pitch - James Townsend and Sons carries it. Never heard of the Crispin Colloquy - is it on line? I use needles most of the time - I only use boar bristles on delicate stuff with a curve such as hidden seams anymore. Do you have a good source for bristles? I'm out actually (thanks for the reminder) and usually get them from McPherson, but wouldn't mind having an alternate source. I've used imitation bristles (monofilimant) but it just isn't the same to me.... Yes I have used bear oil (next best patch oil to sperm oil IME) and I would love to have a decent source. It's also the best thing for making pie crusts too! __________________ Chuck Burrows Hand Crafted Leather & Frontier Knives dba Wild Rose Trading Co PO Box 5174, Durango, CO 81301 chuck@wrtcleather.com www.wrtcleather.com |
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A T Barr Elite Member Registered: Jun 2002 Location: Nicholasville, KY Posts: 179 quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Chuck Burrows Never heard of the Crispin Colloquy - is it on line? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I love google. http://www.thehcc.org/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi A.T. __________________ |
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Chuck Burrows Moderator aka "Wild Rose" Registered: Sep 2002 Location: Durango, Co Posts: 2667 Thanks AT - yes I love Google too! Here's another handwax formula from that site: 8 parts pine rock rosin 2 parts anhydrous lanolin superfine 1 part beeswax Melt rosin first. Add lanolin and beeswax. Bring to a boil to clarify. Pour into cold water. Taffy pull. Looks like the lanolin or oil is used to keep it "moist" (I don't seem to have a problem with my mix but....) And from the post above pouring it into cold water and then "pulling" it must help "mix" it. Curt - I'll ship you a chunk of my mix on Monday or whenever I head to town. Got it a little hot so it's a bit dark and may not be my best mix but it should give you a pretty good idea. __________________ Chuck Burrows Hand Crafted Leather & Frontier Knives dba Wild Rose Trading Co PO Box 5174, Durango, CO 81301 chuck@wrtcleather.com www.wrtcleather.com |
#51
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A. T. Just noticed your are a Kentucky boy. I lived in Bowling Green all my life till moving to North Carolina about 4 years ago. And I will return someday.
Curt |
#52
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It's nice to actually have 4 seasons. Not just winter and summer. But,.... I sure miss all the friends I have in Texas. Stay Safe, A.T. __________________ "Many Knives by Many Makers" http://www.customknives.com "When seconds count, the police are only minutes away." Tom Gresham |
#53
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Bump
Thanks Mike! Information overload! Rob |
#54
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String Wax
I was just reading some of the recepies for string wax and thought that for you folks that might want to find some ready to go, what you are making is pretty much the same stuff that I use to make Flemish Twist strings for my bows. Its tacky and a mixture of several things including beeswax and pine rosin. For the uninitiated, this is string making wax and comes in small cakes and is not the everyday variety string wax. Most of the mail order traditional archery supply houses sell it, seems the last I got was from Three Rivers Archery, and was about a buck a cake, have a bunch and havent ordered in some time. You can use this with a piece of thick white canvass to slick your edges also. I primarily make European style hunting bags but this stuff would work well for any type of sewing and edge polishing.
J Fisher |
#55
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I'm not into sheath-making big time, but I do have fun at it, and have made several, as well as holsters. I found the same to be true of my little wheel-shaped slicker. Not wide enough for several thicknesses of leather. Having painted myself into a corner, and needing a solution in a hurry, I searched frantically through my shop, and found a pair of heavy-duty shears that I use for cutting the leather. It has a smooth plastic handle, which worked just fine for slicking the edges...the work even got a compliment from my holster-making instructor. A "field-expedient" (panic mode) solution that worked. Imagine that! For stitching, I use my stitch spacing tool, then drill the holes with a 1/16 bit in my my drill press...I know, BARBARIAN! and use whatever thread the leather store has in stock, and it has worked just fine for my (so far) seven projects. Last edited by humminboid; 11-20-2010 at 04:03 PM. |
#56
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WOW you guys are sharing some great info here! i am new to the site, but am very impressed with the conversations i have seen so far.
have any of you heard of using wax to seal your sheath? i watched a guy on YouTube melt down some wax in a pot and then soak the sheath in it. he says it will completly waterproof the sheath. here is the link to the video... i am interested to hear what you guys think! |
#57
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He wet and hardened the botttle's leather, using sand for his form, then did a couple of coats of melted beeswax inside, to seal the leather, and cover any left-over sand. (Gritty water...Yuk!) He seemed satisfied with the method, and beeswax is a natural product. Would probably work for knife sheaths, too. |
#58
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yeah i have heard you can do the same with beeswax. you can melt it down in a pan and soak the leather in it. there are a few other videos on YouTube where guys are doing this.
i even saw one guy use a beeswax tiolet bowl ring, says its the same stuff you would buy in a craft store. |
#59
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I have bee trying to get into making sheaths as a protective storage container for my knives instead of letting then rattle around and damaging the sharp edge. Now I see a caution against storing knives in a sheath. Some of my knives have been kept in their sheaths for a couple of decades. So far no sign of damage. Did I miss something?
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#60
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Hey Capt. Jeff !
really enjoyed that hot waxing video..very informative! I'm just wondering if paraffin would work in this application..just curious... Gene |
Tags |
back, bee, blade, cancer, handle, home, hot, image, knife, knives, leather, made, make, polish, scrimshaw, sharpening, sheath, sheaths, stainless steel, steel, wax |
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