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  #1  
Old 11-12-2012, 10:00 PM
pownal55 pownal55 is offline
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How do you soften stiff leather?  
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Default How do you soften stiff leather?

Just picked up a nice German made Boker folding knife. It came with a very tight, stiff sheath. It needs to be softened to stretch a bit, any suggestions?
Thanks
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:06 PM
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Sir, try mink oil or neetsfoot oil.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:11 PM
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How do you soften stiff leather?  
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I would not use oil on it, but I would wrap the knife in a plastic bag and shove it in the sheath for a few days. That is what they recommend to ease up tight fitting holsters so I would think it would also work on sheaths.

Chief38
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:45 PM
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How do you soften stiff leather?  
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I understand that in North America's higher latitudes, it is accepted practice to soften mukluks (a sort of hide footwear) by chewing on them, a task usually assigned to wives. I for one, and others, perhaps, will be curious to know how this may have worked out for you ...
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:46 PM
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I prefer wrapping it with wax paper, wax side out. The wax rubs off and makes pulling it out smoother.
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:49 PM
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My other suggestion would be show it Jane Fonda workout videos, that witch will make anything go soft.
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:50 PM
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Be careful, old leather can be destroyed rather easily, believe me I know.
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:52 PM
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I always break in a new leather holster by soaking it in spray silicone.

Soak it well, put the knife in the sheath and leave it a day or two. I have yet to have anything "mush" up or deform.
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:52 PM
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How do you soften stiff leather?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StatesRightist View Post
I prefer wrapping it with wax paper, wax side out. The wax rubs off and makes pulling it out smoother.
I, too, once favored this technique, until modern advances in latex technology made it obsolete. " In days of old, when knights were bold..."
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Old 11-12-2012, 11:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pownal55 View Post
Just picked up a nice German made Boker folding knife. It came with a very tight, stiff sheath. It needs to be softened to stretch a bit, any suggestions?
Thanks
Personally, I'd cut a hunk of wood slightly larger than the sheath, wet the sheath, shove the wood in and leave it sit until dry. The sheath should end up just as stiff but with a little more room.
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Old 11-12-2012, 11:07 PM
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How do you soften stiff leather?  
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Originally Posted by snubbyfan View Post
Personally, I'd cut a hunk of wood slightly larger than the sheath, wet the sheath, shove the wood in and leave it sit until dry. The sheath should end up just as stiff but with a little more room.
I'm not even getting close to touching this...
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Old 11-12-2012, 11:33 PM
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How do you soften stiff leather? How do you soften stiff leather? How do you soften stiff leather? How do you soften stiff leather? How do you soften stiff leather?  
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Show it a pic of Rosie O'Donnell in a bikini.
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Old 11-13-2012, 12:05 AM
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lots of hand work and body heat... can't be beat
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Old 11-13-2012, 12:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sipowicz View Post
Show it a pic of Rosie O'Donnell in a bikini.
Who in the world would take such a picture?
Besides:
Aren't there laws that prohibit Indecent Exposure???
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