Just made some leather sheaths for knife and hatchet. What do people like to treat the leather with to avoid moisture issues that can rust the finish?

I have some mink oil and snow seal on hand. Would these work well? How about other stuff like gun oil or silicone? Was thinking of treating inside and out.

The finish on leather doesn't typically rust, so leave it untreated.

Sorry, couldn't resist

Treating the sheath can prevent moisture from penetrating the leather, but can also hold moisture against the blade longer since the leather can't breathe. So, it cuts both ways (sorry!).

Some treatments will soften the leather more than others. Silicone or sno-seal shouldn't affect the leather's stiffness (and so its strength in keeping the edge of the blade from coming through. Other oil treatments will make the leather softer and more supple, which is great for a baseball glove but maybe less so for a sheath.

For a blade that's more susceptible to corrosion, it's best to wipe the blade itself with some light mineral oil before storage.

I suppose you could use silicone/sno-seal on the exterior for moisture shedding, and wipe the interior with oil of some sort for corrosion resistance.

If you have some scraps, you could experiment and see what seems to work best.

I stopped storing blades in leather sheaths. I'll clean and lightly oil a blade in storage and wrap in separately with the sheath. I started this when I continually found the brass hilt turning green where it contacted the leather -- tannic acid IIRC

Hey, Mr. Clearwater, since you're on the line, is there a decent DIY kit for people who want to make a leather sheath for a knife approximately the size and dimension of a butter knife?

Naturally, I don't want the kind of leather that rusts...

Kydex, the leather that doesn't rust...

The wisdom from the firearms world suggests to store metal items out of any leather enclosure. (unless you're in a really dry climate - like mine)

Now, I only use Mink Oil to protect leather.
And also works well to make weather resistant vinyl, and nylon bags. Relatively cheap and long-lasting

Mink oil, Sno Seal, and many other leather treatment products can soften the leather. That may not be a big thing on a knife or ax holster (depends on the design and how it's made). But you wouldn't want to use these things on, say, a firearm holster that needs to support weight.