Another slip joint pocket sheath

Joined
Oct 16, 2003
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This the third one of these that I've made, and while I'm certainly not ready for prime time, I think it turned out pretty well. The knife I made it for is a 4.5" back pocket pattern by Kerry Hampton. It's a wonderful knife, but I don't like like carrying anything in my back pockets, so this is my solution. The other thing in the sheath is a mini flashlight, by the way.

RPPBP3a.jpg


Comments, compliments, and criticisms are all welcome.

James
 
Are you tying knots in your stitching? If so, why not back stitch to secure your stitching?

I like the design and the lacing - not bad at all.

TF
 
Are you tying knots in your stitching? If so, why not back stitch to secure your stitching?

I like the design and the lacing - not bad at all.

TF

No, it's back stitched. Unfortunately, the sorry poly thread I get from Tandy unravels, so it looks tied. I'm getting to be decent at saddle stitching, but I still can't drive a hole with my awl so that they're nice and straight.

Thanks for the compliment on the design and the lacing. I've done more complex lacing, but I don't think it looks so much better than the single loop as to make them worth the trouble.

James
 
No, it's back stitched. Unfortunately, the sorry poly thread I get from Tandy unravels, so it looks tied. I'm getting to be decent at saddle stitching, but I still can't drive a hole with my awl so that they're nice and straight.

Thanks for the compliment on the design and the lacing. I've done more complex lacing, but I don't think it looks so much better than the single loop as to make them worth the trouble.

James

Interesting, I haven't had an unraveling issue with Tejas thread, been using it for over ten years. What kind of needles are you using? Possibly technique issues?

My back stitching is thicker, as expected, but its not knotty (if that's a word) If your having that look with regularity I'd go over all the possible areas of concern before blaming materials. Any thread will unravel, its twisted, even with a good wax it will still want to come apart. Yes, I've used the high end stuff as well, and yes it did want o come apart when I let it slip.

If your using the big eye needles, try saddlers needles, a much smaller eye that doesn't let the thread move as much. Those big eye needles don't last long anyhow, the flexing causes them to weaken severely. The big eye lets the thread move more resulting in rubbing, the wax gets rubbed off and you get unraveling. Artificial sinew does this with frustrating regularity, no matter what you do.

I hope this helps a little, and there's no intention to over criticize but so many problems are blamed on the materials. Most of the time its simple technique or preparation.
 
Interesting, I haven't had an unraveling issue with Tejas thread, been using it for over ten years. What kind of needles are you using? Possibly technique issues?

...

I hope this helps a little, and there's no intention to over criticize but so many problems are blamed on the materials. Most of the time its simple technique or preparation.

Thanks for the tips, I'll definitely adjust my technique to take them into account. Are saddler's needles the same as harness needles? As far as the thread goes, I've been using sewing awl thread that a friend gave me. I'm sure that some of it is technique, but I also know I'm getting better at it.

James
 
Ah! The sewing awl thread isn't as heavily waxed as hand sewing thread! Bingo! :D

I am glad you mentioned that. Now I know why your having issues, the wax holds the fibers together while hand sewing. The awl thread is lightly waxed, and is of a lighter weight than the standard hand sewing thread.

Yes, harness needles are the same as saddlers needles, its just a term explaining the same thing. Tandy sells "big eye" needles, but they arent worth the trouble, they break far too easily, and the big eye makes it difficult to pull through a small hole.

I dont use the awl method, so I cant verify everything on its use. But, Gary Graley does, and I hope he sees this. In fact I will let him know if I can get a hold of him. Maybe he can shed some light. He's been doing this longer than I, yep, he's what we refer to in Texas as an "Older Fart" :p
 
Hehe, thanks man, and unfortunately I do fit that category,
although I recently changed my avatar image to one taken
a few days ago, at least I'm a smiling fellow ;)

As to the awl sewing process, it's all I've ever done and so that
is what I stay with, see the top few posts in the leather section
I've made a few tutorials that show the method I use.

Off for another plate of beans...:)
G2
 
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