Shaping knife sheaths?

[ALW]

How do you guys do such a good job of really molding the leather of the sheath to fit the knife so well?  I've read of soaking in water and molding and that's what I've done so far, but mine don't come close to fitting as nicely as some that I've seen on here.  And when I use spring clamps at different points I always get marks left in the leather, even with padding.  Any secrets?  Also I was making a sheath for a knife the other day out of veg. tanned leather.  I figured that the hotter the water I soaked it in the better, thinking it would make it much more pliable.  Well I boiled up some water and poured it on the leather.  It curled up like a dog chew toy and got as hard as a rock!  Don't know what happened.

Thanks.  Aaron

[Leftieshot]

I'd say you cooked most of the natural oil out of the leather.  Cold water is fine.  Soak it until you don't see any tiny bubbles coming out of the leather on the rougher side.  Honestly, it doesn't take that much water.  And actually you don't want your leatehr sopping wet if you plan on tooling the sheath.
You may want to try a lighter clamp.  Bessey clamps (plastic) from Lowes don't clamp that hard but you still need to pad the clamp.  Make sure your pads don't have any marks in them either or they WILL transfer to your sheath.
Hope this helps.  Good luck!

[skullworks]

I have used clamps with a piece of leather between the clamp and sheath, slick side against the sheath. I use alcohol to shape my sheaths...just because it dries faster.

[Holepuncher]

I was told to use water with Lemmon juice or White vinegar, be sure and wrap the knife in serran wrap.the juice or Vinegar was to keep it from going bad.

[JEFF B]

first i put the knife in glad wrap then i soak the leather then mould the leather around the knife puting a small nail in every half inch or so. then i get a hair dryer and dry the leather with that it works a treat.after drying go around the sheath with an awl and punch holes right through then take out the nails and sew it up with sinew all done.  

[skullworks]

Originally posted by Holepuncher:
I was told to use water with Lemmon juice or White vinegar, be sure and wrap the knife in serran wrap.the juice or Vinegar was to keep it from going bad.

Yep forgot the Saran wrap. All I know is if you get that lemon juice or vinegar on your carbon blade you have some very interesting patinas! LOL!

[ALW]

Thanks for the tips.

Aaron