I just finished making my first pouch sheath. I preheated the
leather and them rubbed the water proofing material in and then put it back in the oven to finish heating it. The leather at the top of the sheath where you insert the knife crinkled. Did I get the leather too hot or what?

yup. I made a "french fry" out of an early sheath, and still have it around somewhere as a reminder of what not to do.

It is important to pre-heat the sheath to no more than 180 F so it will absorb the hot liquid. Do *NOT* stick it back in the oven after it has been dunked. Just let it drain on a piece of paper towel.

Hummmm wondering what i'm missing here.. why are you heating the leather? does it become more plyable?

HI Ladybug,the sheath is heated to open the pores of the leather to help it absorb the waterproofing solution better.Dave