1st Time Sheath Attempt

johnspark

johnspark

Joined
Dec 26, 2008
Messages
611
OK, I know there are about a hundred things wrong with the way I built my sheath for the RC6. This is the first time that I have ever worked with leather other than the time I used a whip to... wait. not the right forum. Sorry, anyway, I got the idea from the shelter building thread. While I was at the Blade show, I picked up a sheet of leather, some snaps, and the wax thread. After I got the whole thing cut out and sewn together, I went to Tandy Leather in Tucker, GA. They hooked me up with a book and some dye. I was looking for a brass ring instead of the stainless one I used, but no one had one around. Once I started reading about leather works, I realized that things had gone horribly wrong almost from the word go. Oh well, I continued on to the bitter end. I think it would work alright for a while, but I'm worried about the dangler loop connection. I tried looking on youtube for sheath making videos, but there just aren't any good ones up there yet. If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it greatly.

The "ink blot" looking marks happened when I tried to form the leather to the knife. I still have no idea what caused them. Nor do I know how the line formed from the fire steel loop to the lower right side of the sheath.
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There is 8ft of para cord wrapped around the fire steel.

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I penciled a piece of "fat wood" to fit in it's holder.

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I still have to test it in the field. I already know I have to add a leg strap. I forgot about that, but I did leave enough room to install one later.

It looks like its been through hell already. I don't have to worry about rubbing the new off of it. LOL
 
nice job for a 1st try. it looks good from were i live so i give it a B+
 
Nice! You definitley have far better skills than I do. My only thought is that you might have a bit of trouble unsheathing it. There doesn't seem to be a lot of room for your hand to grasp the handle. Maybe you could add a little cutout so that more of the handle is available to grasp? Just a thought based on how it looks. It may be that the knife is easier to draw than I think.
 
I like it...looks like something a frontiersman may have made years ago...sturdy and functional.
 
wow.. nice work indeed...:thumbup: especially for the firt time...:) i dig the firesteel loop and fatwood loop...:D
 
it aint pretty, but it's pretty good for a first try :thumbup:
looks like it'll hold your knife and i'll take a beating- what more do you need? :cool:
 
Well, it's certainly innovative in that I've never seen a sheath with provision for carrying a stick of fatwood and a ferro rod -- only problem may be in sustained rain, not sure how that would affect the fatwood. But good idea, and nice out of the box thinking.

As for the looks, as we'd say in my hobo days: it has an "automatic crust factor". I.E. it looks like someone has owned it an experienced a lot with it. So long as you're not going for a polished, commercial look, it's a good look to have, IMO.

I dunno, I like it! :thumbup:
 
Thanks, for the comments everyone. I'll test it out this weekend and see if it works out.

I was wondering about the draw'ability of the knife. I cut the opening down once already, but it might need more. I figured I'd take it in increments. As far as the fat wood holder goes, I am still wondering if that will ultimately work out. The resin in the fat wood might do bad things to the leather, and might not work out with the weather, but we'll live and learn I suppose.
 
Hint for drawing the knife from a pouch sheath like that: Tie your lanyard long enough to wear it over your thumb, and wrapped around the back of the hand. When you draw, slip your thumb into the lanyard, wrap it in your hand and use the lanyard to draw the knife.
 
That's a great looking sheath. I like the way you left the extra slot for the paracord around the firesteel. And the extra loop is a great idea as well. If you are worried about water at all you could pop a drainage hole in the bottom and give it a good dose of Obenaufs LP.
 
As far as water retention goes, there is a rather large gap (1/16) at the point. I figure I'll get good drainage from that. I have to seal it with the finisher I bought, and pop a leg strap loop in it and then I'll go test it. Thanks for the info on the Obenaufs. I'll check it out. This is the first of many I think. I really like working on my own projects like this.
 
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