Jon said:
By the way how did you get the sheath markings to match the handle ?
Jon
Jon, I used a dye called Van-Dyke crstals, which is made from pure walnut husks and gives a lovely rich colour. I gave the sheath a light coating first, then soaked a piece of thick cotton in the dye and draped it randomly over the sheath and left to soak in. Then I dipped the sheath in a hot bath of 1 part carnuba wax, 3 parts beeswax and about an equal measure of neatsfoot oil. The result is a completely waterproof and rock hard sheath with a texture closer to kydex than leather (I think the armourers of yesteryear used this method to harden leather armour).
The black dye (not really a dye, more of a kitchen sink chemical reaction) was made from wire wool and household vinegar. It's an awesome dye, the vinegar eats away at the steel wool to make a clear solution of ferrous acetate, filter it with a coffe filter to get all the grunge out and then lightly paint it onto your leather. This reacts with the tannic acid in the leather to turn it black instantly - it's a mad effect, that definitely produces a "wow" effect when you do it for the first time. Neutralise the vinegar/leather after with baking soda (vinegar & blade steel dont mix well, so be sure to do this). You can add a little4 iodine to give it a red tint if you prefer a reddish-black.
Here's another I did with the same dyes & hot wax dip (better pic)...