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:
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/TlantMagnus/Wood%20core2_zpsd1boqe4r.jpg)
Stains...
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/TlantMagnus/Wood%20core%20leather1_zpsilj8kx00.jpg)
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/TlantMagnus/Wood%20core%20leather2_zpsd7sday94.jpg)