Vacuum Bagging Leatherwork

[B4408]

For the leatherworkers.
I have made a few sheathes over the years and just let the leather stretch after being stitched. Have seen leather moulding and Bimbo showed how to do it on here. Always thought it was to much trouble for one off jobs.
Had an idea after using the Vacuum bagger recently and gave it a go.

Cut an oversize piece of leather.
Soak in hot water.
Place it over your knife or object on a small board.
Vac bag.
Leave for about 30minutes.
Leather is shrunk and stretched around your object to make a moulded sheath.
Take out of bag and let dry.
Finish off your sheath as normal.
Someone may have done it before but new and easy method for me.

Pictures tell the story.

vac bagged

stretched and drying

one I did earlier

Leatherman Raptor - trauma shears

Made it so they will fit when open

Raptor is specialised tool, probably wont use it much but were issued to a few of us. Handy for cutting a lot of other things around a camp site.

Bruce

[mick_762]

Bloody good job Bruce, and the Raptor is a good bit of kit too.

[bimbo]

Pretty good idea Bruce, and nice finished sheaths too

[Camel]

Now thats a good idea.

[Branxhunter]

You are a cluey bloke there Bruce.

Marcus

[B4408]

You are a cluey bloke there Bruce.

Marcus

Some of your leather being used. Thanks again.

Mick, don't do a lot of direct trauma work. Usually just assisting ambos but sometimes we get there first. Although last year our local ambos were the casualties. That was a tough one in many ways.

Bimbo, my wife likes the bookcover you made better than my knife sheathes.


Bruce

[LoneRider]

since you guys are so good with leather,i have a question.

back in 1989 i purchased a black leather fronteer jacket.
its suede,has the stringy bits and is starting to get rather stiff.
what do i use to condition it and still keep it looking new ? [its only been worn a handful of times]
i figured leather dressing [that would be used on normal jackets and saddles]wouldnt be the shot.

[B4408]

Lonerider, don't really know but I would try working to stretch and break it again and may be a stiff brush.

Bruce

[B4408]

Hope you have some black powder to go with the jacket

Bruce

[LoneRider]

back in them days i rode a harley [ ] and cheech & chong were king .......
luckily i grew a brain

[The Raven]

Are the stringy bits suede or leather?


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