The sheath of a sword, [of] a knife, or [of] a double-edged knife; the case of a shears, [of] a scissors, or [of] a razor; the case of an applicator [or of] a container for eye cream; the case of a stylus [or] a compartment case; a case for an [astronomical] tablet and a skurtya; a quiver for arrows, and a quiver for broad arrows: These are tamei. [Regarding] the case of a symponia, when one puts [the symponia into the case] from on top, [the case] is tamei. [But if he inserts it] from the side, it is tahor. [Regarding] a case of flutes, R’ Yehudah rules it tahor because he inserts it from its side. The cover of a mace, a bow, or a spear: these are tahor. This is the general rule: That which is made to [serve as] a casing is tamei. [But that which is made] to [serve as] a cover is tahor.

The measure of all householders’ utensils [to lose their tumah] is [a hole] the size of pomegranates. R’ Eliezer says: [Their measure depends on] what they are. The measure of gardeners’ baskets is [a hole] the size of bundles of vegetables. [The measure of baskets] of householders is [a hole the size of bundles of] straw. [The measure of baskets of] bathhouse attendants is [a hole the size of bundles of] thin straw. R’ Yehoshua says: The [measure] for all of these [utensils] is [a hole] the size of pomegranates.