I purchased two of these for my&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fiskars-7850-X7-14-Inch-Hatchet/dp/B0002YTO7E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fiskars 7850 X7 14-Inch Hatchet</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fiskars-7855-8-Inch-Hatchet/dp/B000F97DYC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fiskars 7855 8-Inch Hatchet</a>. They were very stiff and hard to get closed and snapped without a LOT of stretching due to the initial shape. I filled a pot with hot water and 1-2 drops of dish soap. I submerged the covers and let them soak for about an hour or two (warning: this will cause darkening around the rivets/snaps). When I took them out they were soft and pliable. I dried them with a towel, put them on my hatchets, and slipped them between the mattress and box springs for a couple of days. now they are custom fit, easy to close, and took on the shape of the axeheads. Almost looks as if they were made just for my axes! Once they were completely dry, a put on a coat of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Sno-Seal-7-oz/dp/B005L9EEHU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Sno Seal - 7 oz</a>&nbsp;to waterproof the covers, used a blow dryer to melt in the sno-seal. Now they are ready for any type of weather! The wax did darken the leather and gave it a somewhat "marbled" look, but I think it gives them an antiqued and rugged appearance. It may sound like a lot of trouble for axes/hatchet covers, but these go with me into the bush. I do a lot of camping and like to take care of my gear. The belt loop is good for optional carry, but I prefer to use it to lash to my backpack. Photo on listing.