5th Sheath I've made-learning!

Jakeboy

Jakeboy

Joined
Feb 12, 2011
Messages
326
I've been playing around with making my own leather sheaths for my knives. Made my share of mistakes, but it's a neat hobby that doesn't cost a lot of to get into. I've been buying the cheaper grade of 8-9 oz., vegetable tanned leather from Tandy Leather, over in Tampa. The folks over there are very helpful it and seems like they want me to be successful in my stumbling efforts. They offer classes, which I may avail myself of in the near future.

Sooo.... this is my latest creation for my Helle Taiga. The sheath that came with the Taiga was quite nice, but I wanted to make it my own because I really love the knife and feel it will serve me well.

I'll be off on a backwoods adventure motorcycle camping trip in a couple of weeks and the Taiga will be my knife. I ride a DR 650 Suzuki Dual Sport. I can get waaay back in the boonies with it! I'll post up a report on the Taiga when I get back the end of June.

Well, here goes:

The knife in the sheath



The knife out of the sheath



Sheath opened up for belt mounting. This is like the handgun holsters made by Hunter. Easy to put on the belt and easy to take off.



Back view unsnapped.



Back view opened.



Firesteel striker shown in the belt loop sleeve. This can be easily accessed when on the belt by unsnapping the belt loop, tipping up the sheath and pulling it out of its little sleeve on the inside of the belt loop. It's out of sight, yet easily accessible. Most of the nice sheaths I've looked at had a loop for the Firesteel, but no provision for the striker. I don't like the idea of using a finely honed knife edge for striking. I messed up a new Mora 2000 this way. The Mora is back to razor sharp, but I'm NOT going to use a fine edge to scrape a few sparks for a fire if I can help it.



Firesteel striker shown seated fully in its sleeve.

Another view.



This will be my main camp/bushcraft knife. I also have a GB Wildlife Hatchet for heavier stuff. I'm going to go to work on a similar concept sheath for the GB hatchet next.
 
Clean tight work, well done. I've done some leather sewing but not the snaps and such like you. Need to figure that out.
 
pullrich said:
Clean tight work, well done. I've done some leather sewing but not the snaps and such like you. Need to figure that out.
Click to expand...

Thanks pullrich!! I did the hand sew on it (mostly).

I'm going to try a riveted sheath next. I'm learning that you have to plan the total design before you get going!
 
Hey that's a great looking sheath, no one would know you were just starting out. Leather work is addicting so watch out! I started out like you 20 years ago now I do it full time. Wait till you start carving, you'll never stop! I love your idea on how you mounted the striker, would you mind if I used your idea. I'd like to try something different from the standard side mount. I can send you a photo when it's done. Tandy is the best place to start, but if you're buying stamping tools check out ebay there's a couple guys selling really good tools there. Tandy's newer stamping tools are made in China and aren't as good as their old tools, as far as stamps, most of their other stuff is good. If you get in a jam on something shoot me an email. You can see more of my stuff at http://bandidoleather.com
 
bandido leather said:
Hey that's a great looking sheath, no one would know you were just starting out. Leather work is addicting so watch out! I started out like you 20 years ago now I do it full time. Wait till you start carving, you'll never stop! I love your idea on how you mounted the striker, would you mind if I used your idea. I'd like to try something different from the standard side mount. I can send you a photo when it's done. Tandy is the best place to start, but if you're buying stamping tools check out ebay there's a couple guys selling really good tools there. Tandy's newer stamping tools are made in China and aren't as good as their old tools, as far as stamps, most of their other stuff is good. If you get in a jam on something shoot me an email. You can see more of my stuff at http://bandidoleather.com
Click to expand...

Thanks, Bandito Leather! Your work is incredible! You're an artist, I'm just a garage hacker! Help yourself to the striker sleeve idea. I'm flattered that a real pro thinks it has merit! It's kind of a neat way of getting a striker on the sheath without a lot of fanfare. If I was going to do it again, I'd mount the sleeve horizontally. That way you wouldn't have to unsnap and flip the sheath up to access the striker. A horizontal mount would work for a belt slide sheath, too.

I really love working with leather, so will check out E-bay as you suggested.

I would love to see more of your work. This is one of the threads I watch all the time.
 
Very nice work. I like how you did the belt loop and striker pocket. Well done :thumbup:
 
Jakeboy said:
Thanks, Bandito Leather! Your work is incredible! You're an artist, I'm just a garage hacker! Help yourself to the striker sleeve idea. I'm flattered that a real pro thinks it has merit! It's kind of a neat way of getting a striker on the sheath without a lot of fanfare. If I was going to do it again, I'd mount the sleeve horizontally. That way you wouldn't have to unsnap and flip the sheath up to access the striker. A horizontal mount would work for a belt slide sheath, too.

I really love working with leather, so will check out E-bay as you suggested.

I would love to see more of your work. This is one of the threads I watch all the time.
Click to expand...

Jakeboy, you are NOT a hack in any form or fashion, your humility shows that you aren't. :)

Well done, keep learning, and never stop. As long as you stick with your fantastic attitude your going to do very well. :D
 
Very nicely done, I hope you dont mind if I borrow your striker design. I'm just learning how to do this also and need to learn lots. This is one idea that is very smart. I'll share it with my local Boy Scout Troops.
Seems lot's easier than stuffing it in your pockets.
 
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