A Little Nick In The Leather

[MorningStarL]

I made this knife sheath a few years ago, before I knew all the things I know now. Still, it's a big knife, and the antler made curves and nothing's flat or straight, so I was pleased to make a sheath that fits this well and is handsome. I deliberately didn't do any stamping or tooling because I like the dark leather and the antler just like they are.

My partner's had an inquiry about the knife. It's been put away for a while and tonight I noticed a little flap-cut near the top. He asked me if there's anything I can do for it. My first sense is, anything I try to do is likely to make it more visible. If someone's got a good idea for me, some kind of glue I could slide under there maybe? I might be brave enough to try it. Thanks in advance.

[Thor]

I'd just leave it and call it character.

[Tugadude]

I think it looks just fine as-is. If it really bothers him, perhaps a little color can be massaged into the slit? Wouldn't close it up, but might help it to be less noticeable.

My thinking is a sheath is for utility and is meant to pick up scars. Just a sign of use is all.

I think you did a beautiful job on it!

[Wild Bill46]

I Agree ! Leave it as is and in time fingernail marks will blend and look natural together.

This beautifully thought out knife sheath design, goes well with.this crown stag. (imho) --- Wild Bill46

[billybopp]

There's not much that you can do to hide that sort of thing, but as Tugadude mentioned, you might be able to get a tiny bit of dye down into the cut to reduce the color contrast and make it a little less noticeable. It looks like the cut is at an angle, leaving a little flap of grain standing out from the surface. That could all too easily come off leaving a gouge rather than a little cut, so I think I'd carefully put just a little glue in there using a toothpick or something to help secure that little flap and limit any further damage.

Bill

[darkmatter35]

You can try a little super glue in gel form. put a small dab on a tooth pick and insert it in the cut and close it. Try not to get any on the outside.

John S.

[wlg190861]

I would take a brown marker and rub it in and call it good. it won't stand out. Nice looking sheath

[MorningStarL]

Thank y'all. I've got the same dye, and I'm gonna take that advice about the superglue on a toothpick. My biggest worry was that it would catch on something and tear off and look worse.

And, thank you all for the encouraging words. I love doing this. I see my job as a sheathmaker, as well as making something really useful (I don't like straps and studs or snaps cuz they're a pain in the butt in the field, so I like to get them to hold the knife tight even upside-down, but still go in and out easily), but also, like a picture frame. I try to make something that helps it look good without distracting from the beauty of the knife and handles. The guy I work with makes really attractive knives. This one has an old two-centavo piece with an eagle on it set into the antler crown, and it's a 52100 Bowie. I can get pictures of it easily, if you'd like to see. Thanks again.

[MorningStarL]

Well, since I've told y'all about it, here's the knife.