"accessorizing" your sheaths

[fenceguy1984]

Hey everyone, first time posting on here. I've been making knives here and there for a little while now, maybe 8yrs? Just picked up a pair of Enzo Trapper blades in aus8 and I'm happy with them. Got one done up in curly birch and another in a burl I forget the wood at the moment? So tried my hand at making a sheath for the first time, got a 7-8oz double shoulder from my local tandy leather and it's not bad at all for how much you get for the price. First sheath was pretty much a hedgehog copy and it turned out nice. Had a little issue with the dyeing but I got some febings pro oil dye to try next time hopefully that'll be nicer than the spirit based stuff. I had an issue with some water spotting but it ended up looking really cool and gives it a nice organic look that goes with the knife so I just went with it.
Here's a pic how the knife and sheath turned out:

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I'm currently working on another Enzo trapper as a gift for a friend and I'm really happy with the knife so far and just ordered some leather tooling supplies, few simple background stamps, beveler and swivel knife so I'm going to start working on a sheath for this one.

I'm trying to figure out how to lay out some pockets on the sheath and what would actually be useful. Sofar I was thinking about a zippo lighter pocket and fire steel loop. Maybe a mini altoid tin or other small pocket for survival type gear. I just dont want to make it too "busy" with junk hanging all over it and also still have a little room for tooling. The sheath will be about 3.25" X 7" with 1" straps set 4.5" apart for horizontal carry and molle attachment.

What kind of accesories have you guys put on your sheaths and have they been useful or just a bunch of clutter? I could always put a sharpening ceramic rod or flat diamond stone

 

[theHobbyist]

Personally I don't like a bunch of stuff hanging on to my sheath's. For where I'm at and my carry methods even a fire steel isn't much needed (very urban). I do like the sheath you made there.

I think that if I were to build, or have built a hiking rig, fire steel or a zippo compartment would be nice. Probably the former. I think anything more than that would be a combination type thing.

 

[sheathmaker]

I have made a few sheaths with the bushcraft doo-dads, but personally I think any of that stuff tends to ruin the looks of a sheath IF looks are a factor at all. If you really honestly need a fire steel, Altoids tin full of who knows what and a Zippo pocket etc, then I would think that a back pack would be the logical choice or a steamer trunk on wheels. I guess the fire steel AND the Zippo pocket are for the guy who wears a belt AND suspenders.

Another point that comes up often is seventeen different carry options......,Really????? Our ancestors either stuck the knife under a belt or sash or the really modern ones just put a belt through the newly invented loop on a sheath and went on their way.

No offense intended, but some of these things slip a little bit over the top. (In my personal opinion)

Paul

 

[jaymack9100]

First try at a sheath...great job. Your handles look good on the enzo blades too. Where do you buy your enzo blanks? I'm thinking of trying to build the handles on one myself.