Hardening Leather Question

[snoopers]

I want to make a Tomahawk cover and carrier for a Cold Steel pipe hawk I just got. I did some searching for hardening leather and most that use wax seem to refer to using Bee's wax. Can parafin or soy wax be used instead??(or any other suggestions will be welcomed) It's something that is a lot easier for me to get and also use for other projects that I have in mind. Thanks Guys

[Dwight]

I have also used paraffin, . . . it works, . . . while I never have done a side by side test comparison, . . . my money would be on the beeswax for a harder hold, . . . it is a harder wax though not by a big bunch.

Soy, . . . I haven't a clue...............

May God bless,

Dwight

[snoopers]

Thanks for the info. I put soy wax out there due to a craft store nearby carrying it for candle making.

[Harry Marinakis]

A simpler method is water hardening.

Thoroughly soak the leather and place it on a mold. Then bake it in an oven at 180 degrees F until dry. It will shrink very slightly.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Harry Marinakis

[snoopers]

Thanks

[mlapaglia]

Dont over bake it, It will burn like bad chocolate cookies. I bring the temp of the leather to 135 degrees and hold it there for 10-15 minutes and it hardens perfectly. The object is to get the collagen in the leather to melt and than harden as it cools.

Both ways work and both start with wet or in my case damp leather. your call as to which you try.

[Harry Marinakis]

I bring the temp of the leather to 135 degrees and hold it there for 10-15 minutes and it hardens perfectly.

Dang! My leather is barely warm and still as floppy as a wet noodle after 15 minutes at 180 degrees. You must have a magic oven.

Edited October 4, 2014 by Harry Marinakis

[mlapaglia]

Well I start with damp leather at the cased dampness. Then I monitor the leather temp till it gets to 135deg then hold it there for 10-15 minutes. My oven is set to 200deg. You are still removing water during that time. thats the difference. Both ways work.

[Harry Marinakis]

Well I start with damp leather at the cased dampness.

Ah-ha! That's the primary difference between your technique and mine. I will try it.

[snoopers]

would I follow the same process to make a sword scabbard ?????

[Harry Marinakis]

would I follow the same process to make a sword scabbard ?????

No.

Sword scabbards are not made with hardened leather.

Sword scabbards are either metal or they are made with a wood core covered with 2-3 oz. leather.

Here is an example of wood core that I made for a sword:

And here is a scabbard-making tutorial:

http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/project_scabbard.asp

Edited October 5, 2014 by Harry Marinakis

[snoopers]

thanks for keeping me straight.....