Hey folks,

Long time lurker, and haven't posted much, but I need some advice when wrapping scabbards in leather. I recently made my first wooden core for an old Windlass European Sword. It turned out OK. Now the problem arises when I wet my leather, to wrap around the core. I've done a few swords before (this is my 3rd, so not many) and have had varied success.

I use masking tape, with the adhesive side up, so as not to touch the leather. I used tape because it's flat, and I can wrap it pretty tight without any wrinkles. It actually works well. The problem is where the masking tape isn't...where the leather is still exposed (like a small gap). The water seems to darken the leather here.

Should I use something other than the masking tape? Or is there something else wrong? I find it odd that where the leather is exposed to air, that is where the stains happen...

Wood core and re-leathered hilt:


Stains...

I've used tape to wrap a wooden core while it was setting to shape or the glue cured. But when it got to the stage of wetting the leather, I was briskly sitching up the seam onto the scabbard core.

I've never glued a leather cover on a core, so if that's what you're doing, I don't have any suggestion. Except, maybe it needs to be done dry. I would think anything you wrap the leather with is going to leave an impression.
-Terry

So I should sew it while it's still wet...and disregard using the tape then...that makes more sense.

Well that also makes a lot of sense. I had no idea it reacted to light like that, at least when it's wet. Thanks guys. Hopefully this is salvageable since I am out of leather. In fact, the leather I used was from a previously mis-measured scabbard project lol.