Pattern for sheath needed.

[JimG]

I need a pattern for a knife sheath. The knife has no hilt and is loosely speaking a 'trade knife'. It is 7 1/2" long. The blade is 3 1/2" long. The knife has a slight curve to it through out it's entire length along the back of the knife. I've made several cardstock patterns but have been unhappy with my results. Was hoping some of you would have some ideas you could share. I guess my biggest problem is keeping the knife in the sheath. I guess the term would be 'retention'.

 

[nuttbush]

Kinda hard to tell without seeing the knife but most of my knives without guards I like the sheaths that come at least halfway up the handle which helps to hold them in. Width of the blade would be a factor. In your patterns are you using two pieces of leather for your sheath or one piece folded over and sewn.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

The sheath pattern is best made based on the individual knife it will hold. You need the knife to make the proper pattern as thinkness of handle material and thickness of blade can affect the pattern also.

 

[J.M.]

Hi Jim, I've made some sheaths for some of my homemade knives, its pretty easy once you try a couple. I like the sheath to cover half the handle or more for good retention. I just get a suitable piece of leather (8 to 10 oz oak tan) and lay the knife on it with the spine of the blade in the middle of the leather. Lightly trace the outline of the blade with a pencil, then with the spine in the same spot, roll the blade over and trace again. Now extend the tracing by about 3/4 of an inch, all along the tracing. This leaves some wiggle room if you make a mistake. Cut along the new line. Dampen the leather and put the knife on the leather in the same spot as before, and fold over on the spine line (center) of the tracing. Squeeze the leather around the knife, trying to get it to form to the shape of the handle. Keep working until it feels tight to the handle and let dry. Check the knife fit after dry, and open up the leather and see how the knife fits. You can trim the sheath at this point. One last piece of leather is used for the welt to protect the stitches from the knife edge. Basically lay the sheath on another piece of leather and trace out the shape, I usually use a welt about 3/8ths of an inch. Now just glue it up, punch holes and saddle stitch it together. Its not too bad after you do a couple, like anything else it gets easier with experience. Good Luck!

 

[JimG]

Thanks for the help everyone. Is there a way to stiffen soft leather? I know that there is likely a simple answer to this but alas like usual I'm a rank beginner here.

 

[CrackStock]

The only way to stiffen that I can think of is to use a stiff piece to add as a layer between the two soft pieces.


I make two general types of sheaths. The first is a one piece folded at the spine and stitched about a quarter inch along the cutting edge. The other is a two piece that is stitched all around.

In either case, you should add a strong piece of leather where the blade's cutting edge will not be channeled into the stitching.

Plan out how you want the sheath to attach to a belt. Flat, slits or just tucked into a sash without a holder are all possibilities.

I make test patterns from thick envelope stock or thin cardboard by tracing the blade onto the stock. Then add enough extra to be able to stitch. I use staples to hold it together and think about how the leather thickness and stitching will change things a bit.

I like to use a (Tandy Leather) stitching wheel to get my holes looking even. You can use a good leather awl or a small drill bit in a drill to punch the holes. I use a custom made curved awl that I keep razor sharp for this purpose.

Good Luck!

CS

 

[Tinker2]

Easy type to make, do use a copper rivet or two to keep
from cutting the stitching.

Good luck
Tinker2

 

[DrTimboone]

Here are a couple of primitive sheaths made with Oak tanned deerhide with rawhide liners to protect from the sharp edge cutting the stiching. They are crudely stiteced and knotted with real deer sinew. After folding the leather over the knives I cut the leather with scissors and left room for the welt and stitching. Once they were together I soaked the sheaths with the knives in them in hot water and then wrpped them in a towel to dry for a couple of days..rusts/stains the blades but no matter cause I coldblued and bleached them to age them anyway. I cut slots for a belt/sah through the flap they are intended to be tucked into a sash/belt. the slots just keep them from falling out.