[Artur Zima]

Hello,

I'm currently working on a scabbard project and I was wondering what glues are best for attaching the lining - in this case wool - as well as the linen wrapping to the outside of the scabbard.

I've seen hide glue mentioned a few times but I'm a bit hesitant as I'v never used it and read that it comes apart with moisture and heat.

I'm happy to use any modern glues as long as they're durable and don't cause any corrosion. Has anyone had any experience in this type of work and can suggest an option?

Looking forward to your replies, thanks!

[Peter Lyon]

If you use a modern glue, do not use PVA. It will cause rust on steel after a while.

[Terry Thompson]

I'd probably go with spray adhesive.

They most likely did use a milk or hide glue in period europe. I think Leo Todeschini mentioned that wooden cores weren't completely covered in glue. Glued only to tack it in place and along the seem. But maybe I just dreamed that up. My memory isn't the greatest. Whenever I've done leather glued coverings, I've used PVA and it's very messy and nerve-racking trying to not get it anywhere on the skin side.

Spray adhesive would allow a bit of control with going with a light layer that won't soak through the fabric and cause stains, but test on some scraps to make sure you have the light touch. I think smearing glue would have more tendency to seep through a some woven fabric, unless you are VERY careful about spreading it in a very thin coat. And then you have to consider working-time.
I've attached velvet to scabbards years ago using a spray adhesive and it seemed to work fine. I would spray the core and with the fabric laid out on a work surface carefully pull it up and around the scabbard.
That's my 2 cents.

[Mike O'Hara]

Hi Artur

To Peter's point, pick a low acid glue if you want to use a modern one. There are some made for specialist papers that are fairly close to neutral pH.

I've had pretty good results with them

cheers
mike

[Greyson Brown]

Hide glue dries hard and kind of brittle. It also absorbs into fabric materials pretty significantly. I would personally lean towards normal wood glue for attaching a cloth lining, but I have never made a scabbard that uses one, so that is more theory than tested practice.

As far as overall glue practices go, I have used hide glue to hold the wooden scabbard slats together but prefer nothing beyond that. I did once use a bead of hide glue to hold the leather to the scabbard core, but I found it wasn't needed and lead to dark stains where the glue soaked through the leather.

P.S. Hide glue will come loose with warm water, but heat or moisture on their own aren't much of an issue (in my experience). I live in a pretty dry area, but even in the UK, I doubt you would have issues with separation unless you set a moist scabbard on a heater.

[Sean Manning]