A new FROG for my Mountain Kotanto

[RayseM]

Received this most excellent BRASS MOUNTAIN KOTANTO from Crossed Heart Forge a few weeks ago. Magnolia wood handle and saya (scabbard) but no way to belt carry.
As I don't wear a sash in my woods wanderings I thought at first to make up a leather sheath but than was inspired to make a FROG. I already had the "sheath" after all with the wood saya.

So after watching how to videos for hours I came up with this design. All new techniques for me as this was my 2nd leather project. Pretty happy with the results. So - I share.

BEFORE ~



AFTER ~





Here is the blade itself ~

 

[iamunique127]

Simply beautiful!

 

[Horsewright]

Excellent! Looks like that is gonna work well!

 

[RayseM]

Thank you both for your appreciation and kind words. It's a bit top heavy so swivels easily on the belt - much like a dangler. Still, the carry is very secure.
Might decide later to replace the belt loop with a bit heavier leather and make it longer up the back of the handle so that it carries a bit lower on my belt.
Will know better after some extended carry and use. Kind of fun that I'm not afraid to modify the leather work if need be - just hand stitching after all.

 

[jfk1110]

That's cool.. I've been thinking about something like that for a similar blade I have except for horizontal cross draw...

 

[RayseM]

That's cool.. I've been thinking about something like that for a similar blade I have except for horizontal cross draw...

Something to think about - as I did not want to add a peg or other "locking" device to secure the "frog" to the scabbard a 2 hand knife draw is required (sometimes). I need to hold the lower part while I draw out the knife otherwise the scabbard pulls freely from the leather "frog". I don't dare shrink it too tightly to the scabbard. Not a big deal as the leather does allow me to belt carry the knife/scabbard very securely but if I were to do this from scratch, i.e. build the scabbard too, I would set it up so that the it locks into the leather work somehow.

 

[RokJok]

Very clean looking design and excellent execution.

 

[RayseM]

Thank you RokJok for saying

A bit of an update - I decided that if I could tighten the fit of the leather to the scabbard it would allow for one hand drawing of the knife. Shrinking the leather was not much of an option as overtime it just loosens up again. SO - I says to myself - as it is the scabbard that sits in the leather sleeve and so is not being abused from repeatedly being removed from its "sheath" as would be a knife I can simply glue in a strip of felt weatherstripping to the inside of the frog.

That extra thickness of felt made the fit of the scabbard perfectly more tight.The scabbard was always secure in the frog to begin with but now with the aded padding of the thin felt it is TIGHT but still removable, though withdrawing the blade no longer pulls the scabbard out of the frog. Bonus is that there is no wearing on the wood scabbard - rather - another layer of soft and snug protection.

 

[jfk1110]

Great idea!! Still looking into a horizontal version!!!! Sent out an email this morning to a.leather guy!!!
Hopefully he is interested in this little project!!!

Enjoy your new found security

 

[jfk1110]

Thank you RokJok for saying

A bit of an update - I decided that if I could tighten the fit of the leather to the scabbard it would allow for one hand drawing of the knife. Shrinking the leather was not much of an option as overtime it just loosens up again. SO - I says to myself - as it is the scabbard that sits in the leather sleeve and so is not being abused from repeatedly being removed from its "sheath" as would be a knife I can simply glue in a strip of felt weatherstripping to the inside of the frog.

That extra thickness of felt made the fit of the scabbard perfectly more tight.The scabbard was always secure in the frog to begin with but now with the aded padding of the thin felt it is TIGHT but still removable, though withdrawing the blade no longer pulls the scabbard out of the frog. Bonus is that there is no wearing on the wood scabbard - rather - another layer of soft and snug protection.

How is this sheath working for you?? With the added felt ???? I've struck out twice so far with getting one made...How about if you runs couple longitudal beads of silicone ,thin mind you on the inside of the sheath...

Would you be interested in doing one for mine??? Cross draw though...!!
Have a good weekend!!

 

[RayseM]

So far I'm pretty happy with that little modification. I think the silicone might work but would be more inclined - first - to add a slice of leather with a bit of epoxy to secure it to the frog on the back side only. Could always add another piece to the front. The felt works fine though. My belt loop lanyard is soft 4/5 oz leather. A thicker leather would have added a bit of resistance to the frog as it hangs giving a more secure pull. I think with horizontal draw ALL these issues go away.

 

[jfk1110]

On my.kwaiken. itself, Phillip Patton used leather inside the days so its a nice tight fit.. No wiggle.

Lousy pic, beautiful knife

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I've struck out twice so far with getting one made...

Well, I'm one of the fellows that you had reached out to. and basically I don't do fixed blade sheaths but I will make adapters to change the way someone else's sheath is carried.
But, and that is key, but your sheath that you want to wear horizontally doesn't have any good contours or stops that will prevent it from falling out of the adapter. Even if made super snug, with time and carry it could end up sliding out and causing you harm or at the very least, losing the knife and sheath.

Looking at what you presented and your stipulation of not modifying the existing sheath, the sheath tapers thinner as it goes from opening to the end, making it so that once it has the slightest bit of freedom it will be even less constrained to remain put.

If allowed to slightly modify the sheath, something might be able to be attached to it that will provide some positive means of keeping it in place, but failing to allow that makes it a tough situation. About the only idea that might work without modifying your sheath is to basically make a sheath that encapsulates your entire sheath and has a fold over flap that would snap down onto the leather that is covering your sheath.

That would be one option that might work for what you want?
G2

edited to say sorry RayseM for any thread clutter...

 

[RayseM]

All good Gary W. Graley - happy to have some extra conversation exploring different approaches. I pretty much agree with G2 J jfk1110 in that your set up doesn't allow for any secure horizontally carried without modifying the scabbard. You need a hook or some strap to tie on your "frog".

Maybe a less satisfying but effective solution would be a horizontal carry belt pouch into which the entire knife/scabbard would fit. I don't think it would need a full flap but at the least an over the top strap with a snap. The front of the pouch could be scooped a little to allow easy grab of the scabbard.

You do have a great knife there.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

All good Gary W. Graley - happy to have some extra conversation exploring different approaches. I pretty much agree with G2 J jfk1110 in that your set up doesn't allow for any secure horizontally carried without modifying the scabbard. You need a hook or some strap to tie on your "frog".

Maybe a less satisfying but effective solution would be a horizontal carry belt pouch into which the entire knife/scabbard would fit. I don't think it would need a full flap but at the least an over the top strap with a snap. The front of the pouch could be scooped a little to allow easy grab of the scabbard.

You do have a great knife there.

Well it does have a countour but its smack in the middle and the knife still needs to be able come out!

The horizontal carry would have to involve snaps or sam brown studs, the leather would need to split/strapped toward each side of the connection in the middle.

I would probably trust studs over snaps in this case. Whether its practical or not... who knows.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Sounds like a plan for helping him out
G2

 

[jfk1110]

Well, I'm one of the fellows that you had reached out to. and basically I don't do fixed blade sheaths but I will make adapters to change the way someone else's sheath is carried.
But, and that is key, but your sheath that you want to wear horizontally doesn't have any good contours or stops that will prevent it from falling out of the adapter. Even if made super snug, with time and carry it could end up sliding out and causing you harm or at the very least, losing the knife and sheath.

Looking at what you presented and your stipulation of not modifying the existing sheath, the sheath tapers thinner as it goes from opening to the end, making it so that once it has the slightest bit of freedom it will be even less constrained to remain put.

If allowed to slightly modify the sheath, something might be able to be attached to it that will provide some positive means of keeping it in place, but failing to allow that makes it a tough situation. About the only idea that might work without modifying your sheath is to basically make a sheath that encapsulates your entire sheath and has a fold over flap that would snap down onto the leather that is covering your sheath.

That would be one option that might work for what you want?
G2

edited to say sorry RayseM for any thread clutter...

All good Gary W. Graley - happy to have some extra conversation exploring different approaches. I pretty much agree with G2 J jfk1110 in that your set up doesn't allow for any secure horizontally carried without modifying the scabbard. You need a hook or some strap to tie on your "frog".

Maybe a less satisfying but effective solution would be a horizontal carry belt pouch into which the entire knife/scabbard would fit. I don't think it would need a full flap but at the least an over the top strap with a snap. The front of the pouch could be scooped a little to allow easy grab of the scabbard.

You do have a great knife there.

Well it does have a countour but its smack in the middle and the knife still needs to be able come out!

The horizontal carry would have to involve snaps or sam brown studs, the leather would need to split/strapped toward each side of the connection in the middle.

I would probably trust studs over snaps in this case. Whether its practical or not... who knows.

Thanx gents!!! I'm still pondering the idea but have moved on to a custom build with a gent in Brazil... I'm excited about it but still the kwaiken is bouncing around inside my melon. Have a great weekend.. Stay dry today Gary!! Nasty.out there... Thank you again!!

James