arkie Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Have a problem the bladesmiths may be able to answer. My blades made from file steel tend to rust after leaving them in a leather sheath for some time. The blades have a good coating of oil but no plastic coatings. Would the rust be forming from tanning compounds used in making the leather or what? I would think the oil coating on the blade would protect it but apparently not. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 How is the leather tanned? How did you seal it? What kind of steel in the knives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 When I have a leather sheath for a carbon steel knife I oil the inside of the sheath so it oils the blade for me. I've never had a rusting problem with that method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Holsters and scabbards are notorious for causing rust. I have heard claims that the old method of brain tanning a hide will not cause corrosion but I suspect it is more delay than prevention. I own a small holster made well before 1900 that will cause surface rust if a revolver is left there for a long time. I don't store anything in leather - it is simply there for carry purposes when necessary.Another factor is the environment - Arizona has less far problems with rust than southern Louisiana. You are probably fighting an ongoing battle in Arkansas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 Brain is almost entirely fat so brain tan is a fat tan and the leather would be oilier to start. Still, I only carried my pistol in leather when on my belt. I oil or wax sheathes to prevent rust. Even if well oiled leather picks up and holds moisture much better than it dries.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted July 17, 2015 Share Posted July 17, 2015 as I explained in the knife chats never use chrome or other chemical tanned leather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 Leather not only can contain moisture, but as Steve said there are chemical tanned leathers. I once got some leather that would start staining the blade in minutes. Start out with good leather, don't store for long periods in the sheaths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted July 18, 2015 Author Share Posted July 18, 2015 (edited) Thanks to all for the info on the leather sheaths.Thomas, the steel is from a Nicholson 10" bastard file. Steve thanks for the tip on the chrome tanned, etc. leather.The consensus appears to be that the leather is causing the problem, and that sounds to be my case. The leather was simply cut out to shape and stitched together, not oiled or otherwise treated. I imagine any chemical treatment that was used in tanning the leather didn't help the problem either. I'll keep the blade out of the leather except to use it and try to oil the leather sheath to inhibit what I can of the moisture absorption. Any other leather will be oiled and used only when carrying. Edited July 18, 2015 by arkie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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