Knife Sheaths

[SpottedBull]

Here are a couple of knife sheaths I made...these are the first two I've ever done. The brown one has skunk tail fur in the tin cones. Not quite Chuck Burrows quality but I like how they turned out.

 

[Flint311]

I like the brown one (but both are great), nice job :hatsoff: What kinda beads are on that one? I have a similar "secure" method as you do, but more "rustic" and maybe easier/faster to remove. A single thong around a leather button. Anyway, they look great! :thumbsup:

 

[LRB]

Exceptional work for a first timer. Better than some experienced makers I've seen.

 

[50cal.cliff]

Excellent workmanship, too me that is what really makes a sheath quality.

I mean we all got one out there, usually hidden in a drawer or tucked away in the tackle box that, every time we look at it we have to face the wall of shame! :shocked2: :redface:

But hey those are top shelf! Really nice work! :bow: Keep up the great work:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I wish I could get all my lines to look as clean as those look!

 

[Little Wattsy]

Impressive!! :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

 

[SpottedBull]

I wish I could get all my lines to look as clean as those look!

When I make the incised lines, I use a little pointed hole punch from Stanley Tools and a metal ruler with a cork back. The cork keeps it from slipping.

 

[BillinOregon]

Sweet! I favor the brown one with that simple rectangle-and-dot pattern. Hope seenyore skonk was properly respectful and cooperative when you harvested that hair!

:rotf:

 

[ladysmithtrading]

Nice job David!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LRB]

Cliff, you can buy a tool that does that cut from Tandy. As Spotted Bull said, use a ruler or straight edge as a cutting guide. The cork backed ruler would work well, but masking tape on a ruler also works. Anything that will keep the straight edge from moving when you cut.

 

[dbutch]

Very Nice.. :thumbsup:
Got a soft spot for a sheath that compliments a good knife!
Love the details!..

 

[50cal.cliff]

To Spotted Bull and Wick, you know I have tried the ruler thing but couldn't hold the ruler from sliding. I never thought of cork or tape.

Sometimes the answer is so simple, you just can't see it! Thanks for the tip!

I got the tool Wick, I just have never figured out how to use it and accomplish what I want too. It seems to have a mind of it's own!:wink:

Once again great looking sheaths! :hatsoff:

 

[LaBonte]

Bull nice job all around - and if I may - like the old Army recruiting motto my advice to any student I've ever had is be all YOU can be, rather than comparing oneself to me....

As for holding a ruler snug on veg/bark tan leather when cutting or tooling - I dampen the surface well first with water - not sopping wet, but just damp - a cheap spray bottle works good or use a sponge.
The ruler, whether metal or plastic will "stick" to the leather when you add a bit of pressure while cutting or tooling straight lines. I've used cork and tape before, but found the water trick works best for me.
It works especially well when making really long straight cuts such as when getting that first straight edge on a full length side of leather which are often 5' or more long. I use a 6' x 1" x 1/8" galvanized strip of steel from the hardware store to make such long cuts - cheap and last a long time.

 

[SpottedBull]

Many thanks all...

I dampen the leather to cut and scratch too. I especially like to do it when cutting fringe, like on the black sheath. I can make the fringe more narrow and uniform in width.

 

[Tony Logan]

Nice sheaths I really like the skunk fur and matching beads

 

Really nice work!

 

[mudd turtle]

Wick : A little off the subject but I have a question for you concerning knife sheaths. I have always admired the sheaths that have a wooden sheath to hold the blade and covered with rawhide or leather. How do you go about makeing the wooden part of the sheath for the blade to go in. How do you start to lay everything out to do the job? Many thanks Mudd Turtle.

 

[SpottedBull]

That is a great question...I'd sure like to try my hand at making something like that!

 

[LaBonte]

not Wick but
1) Wick doesn't generally (or maybe ever?) se a wooden liner - they are simple all leather center seam sheaths

2)On the other hand there were wood lined sheaths in period and here's a good how-to http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/829129

 

[LRB]

LaBonte is correct. I have only done one covered wood sheath, and the customer made the wood part of it. I will be doing a small one soon though, but only to reproduce one that has rotted. This one that is rotted was made with 1/16" wood veneer in a sandwich type build. Double thick for the welt, and single thick walls. This one is covered with cloth and apparently painted with maybe black laquer or similar hard paint. The weave can be seen if closely studied. It is mounted with a cartouched sterling silver throat and tip. I will be using some very thin shark, or fake shark that I have left from the other project.