Add metal fittings to leather sheaths?

[shortstart]

I would like to know how to attach a metal throat and tip to a leather knife sheath. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[necchi]

Two words,
E-
Poxy
:wink:

 

[shortstart]

I did consider epoxy but, how was it done way back when? I try to do things the old way when possible.

 

[GunnyGene]

Just guessing, but I'd think rivets. Probably brass or copper flat headed.

 

[crockett]

Good question- I'm not certain but I think a lot of the sheaths were wood or paper mache and covered with a very thin coat of glove type leather. The metal throat and tip were likely crimped into the wood to hold. Glue was around so may be glue was also used.
I've made knives for years and this is one area where I have run up against a brick wall- as to how the throat and tip were made and the construction of the sheath. I've made some okay bowies but I'm not happy with the sheaths I've made for them. I hope you get some answers and share with us if you do. :bow:

 

[shortstart]

Interesting point "Crockett". I never considered that there might be wood underlay in the sheath. I finally figured out how to do the center seam and am trying to figure out how tie the metal into the seam. Hopefully there is an experienced maker out there who will clue us in. Thanks to all for the input. Darn, I love this forum. Great folks all around.

 

[lonehunter]

Due to the shortage of craftsmen on this board at the moment, I will take a stab at this.

Nails!
Depending on time period as to whether they be iron or brass. If not mistaken I believe brass would not come into play before say...1835.
(Nothing in stone here I could be wrong.)
You can run the nails through the stitch holes and go all the way through or you can run them into the body of the sheath and trim them flush on the inside, Either way (in my opinion) epoxy is your friend. If done right only you will know its there.
Maybe Mr. Burrows will chime in.

 

[TinStar]

I may be mistaken(as I am quite often) but brass was used extensively for many things very early on as Britain was a very large producer. This is from what I have gathered on the forum and not my own research. But like I said I could be wrong(wife thinks so quite a bit LOL)

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[lonehunter]

I may be mistaken(as I am quite often) but brass was used extensively for many things very early on as Britain was a very large producer. This is from what I have gathered on the forum and not my own research. But like I said I could be wrong(wife thinks so quite a bit LOL)

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

Could be, As said I am no expert, just a simi-educated guess on my part but I dont think it shows on knives until later. :idunno:
Most of the truly knowledgeable people who have done the reasearch have moved on from this site and it leaves the rest of us to search other places for the info on the correctness of such matters.

 

[lonehunter]

P.M. Sent

 

[LaBonte]

On most of the originals I've inspected they used small pins - usually on the back side along the edges. Glue can also be used. On some originals I've also seen small teeth raised on the inside from the top opening using a a graver - when the throat or tip is pushed down onto the leather the teeth dig into the leather if you try to pull it back up.
As noted by crockett, at least by the 1820's the majority of Sheffield made sheaths were made of either paste board or papier mache with a thin veg/bark tanned leather cover (often bookbinding leather and the deco added was via bookbinder's methods including gold foil). Sometimes the sheaths were lined with velvet or wool baize (think pool table felt). I still haven't quite figured out how they did it although I've had a few sort of successes, by making the liner first and then gluing the paste board over that. Some sheaths of the period also had a flat spring inside for retention, most I've seen were on the full metal sheaths, but I have seen a few of the regular type with such springs.
Also the most common metal used by the Brits post 1820's was German Silver, brass generally denotes a US made product, but there are some exceptions to the rule.
One of the best resources I know of for looking at period sheaths of this type is Norm Flayderman's book, The Bowie Knife, Unsheathing an American Legend.

Hope that helps

 

[lonehunter]

Thanks Chuck!
As always you teach us something with every post you make.
When would be the proper timeline to start seeing brass show up (in North America) on knives?

 

[CrackStock]

Small holes can be drilled and stitching will hold the item together. Just be sure to bevel the edges so that the thread is not cut by rough or sharp edges.

CS

 

[shortstart]

Thanks for all of the great info guys. Regarding the use of brass, I was actually thinking more of very thin steel ( read that tin). Brass always looked a little showy to me. Thanks to all.