Any Techniques for removing Tight Leather Saya Covers?

[Bruce Pennington]

Hope someone has a technique to get a tightly fitted leather cover off a saya.

 

The one I'd like to remove is on a kyugunto, so the real problem is the drag at the end of the saya.  I've opened the snaps at top, and can see some light rust forming on the steel saya, so I'd like to get the cover off and clean the steel saya up.

 

Any luck?

 

The one in question is my kyugunto with Navy anchor on the backstrap and drag.  @Stegel got if from the Plimpton collection sale and traded it with me for one of my NCO 95s with 4 fuchi stamps.

[PNSSHOGUN]

You won't be able to remove it without damaging or destroying the leather unfortunately. This style of leather was shrink fitted while wet, unfortunately in their wisdom they did not imagine collectors having to deal with the consequences of this technique 80 years later. Best to care for the leather as best you can.

[John C]

18 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Hope someone has a technique to get a tightly fitted leather cover off a saya.

Bruce:

As a holster, belt, and wallet maker, I would carefully cut the stitching along the side then remove it. The saya cover can then be re-stitched using a blind stitch or a saddle stitch if you want it to stick out. I mention this method because the other method would be to wet the leather to soften it then work it off. Much more difficult and could cause shrinking and cracking once dry again. You could also try a leather conditioner to see if it becomes pliable enough, but I don't think it would. 

 

Not many options to do it safely. There may be some saddle makers in your area that could do it.

John C.

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Ok, thanks guys.  I think I'll just oil the area I can reach with the snaps open and leave it alone.

 

Thanks for the help.

[PNSSHOGUN]

If I'm not mistaken this was previously from the Donald Barnes collection and was part of the large auction here in Australia a couple of years ago. It is the same sword featured in the larger Fuller & Gregory book (Pages 124 & 125).

[Bruce Pennington]

Oh, you're right, John.  Got my big collectors mixed up!