Another Visit with Paul and Two New Sheaths: ESEE Laser Strike and Tops Tracker

[jdk1]

Please note: I brought the leather and cut the pieces, used my own patterns, and helped during the process this time. There are plenty of marks/blemishes and my cuts were not perfect. You will not find these issues on Paul’s work. Again, these are not perfect. They are my "school" projects.

I was fortunately enough to be able to visit Paul Long’s shop again yesterday. Rain allowed me to slip out of the house. My wife knew I’d just be lounging on the couch watching Mountain Monster re-runs otherwise. Paul told me to cut enough leather for a couple of sheaths. I decided on an ESEE Laser Strike sheath based on Paul’s style and a Tops TB1 Tracker sheath based on my style (well, the common “scout” style anyway). At this point I want to thank Paul. The whole day was set aside for my learning. I had total access to his knowledge, experience, tools, and supplies. Some of my cuts were not usable, and we made use of some left over pieces of leather he had. We have a perfect partnership: I screw up and he fixes it!

I didn’t document the steps this time. My objective was to learn. He did quite a bit of work, much of it correcting my errors, but I was able to get my hands dirty this time as well. That was priceless. After watching the first DVD and having a second day long visit, I find myself beginning to understand much more. It really takes a while for information to sink in, at least with my brain, which is pretty dense. As I brought much of the leather we used with me, it was interesting to see how the cement penetrated the different pieces and how that affects the amount (and how many layers) is applied. As well, different cuts and types of leather have an impact on everything from sewing, to tooling, edging, sanding the edge…really everything. It was eye opening.

Anyway, here is the Laser Strike sheath. In Paul’s classic pouch style with a right side (I guess it would work fine for a lefty as well) carry loop and a stud for sash carry. I like this option as it’s handy to use while in camp. Kind of like the Mora clip sheaths. You can clip them on a belt or pocket for temporary use. This is the same concept for me, but it’s a little fancier. As a bonus, we discovered the lanyard perfectly locks the knife into the sheath by being looped over the stud and cinching down the plastic clip to tighten it. Though, this is unnecessary unless you’re hanging upside down. The deep carry pouch is perfectly fitted and snug. We did have to add a short wedge into the welt. I did not make a long enough transition zone to compensate for handle thickness. The sheath itself is fully lined with cow hide. Notice the edge stain saturation turned out perfect. I believe it was a combination of less Saddle Soap and more drying time, but hopefully Paul can address that issue further (my memory is notoriously poor). I love the way this sheath turned out. It’s not perfect, because I was involved and some of my errors were impossible to fully correct, but Paul did a wonderful job of fixing what could be fixed. One neat thing about this sheath is the marking on the front panel. Paul explained they were fat wrinkles. The oil really brought them out and made them look great. If we could make oil which would do that to fat wrinkles on people, we’d be billionaires!

Here’s the Bigfoot Tracker Sheath. I still need to add the straps and finish the sheath. The current “gravity snap” (that’s a catchy name) will also have to be replaced. I used leather which was too flimsy and water hardening attempts didn’t help much. Maybe it’s from me being used to the thumb break on a holster, but I like a relatively stiff thumb snap. I’ll post up the results when I get it finished.

Thanks again to Paul for everything. I can’t stress that enough. When I step into that shop, the rest of the world melts away and everything is leather. We worked right through lunch without even realizing it, which is very odd for me. It’s a great feeling. And, I have a new (to me) round knife!!:thumbup: I WILL be using this little darling a lot! Good riddance box cutter!

Please let me know what you think. I have to chuckle when I’m at Paul’s shop. As his computer scrolls through pictures of Jason Knight khukuri and custom Damascus Bowie knives he has sheathed, I walk in with an ESEE and a Tops. One of these days, Paul is going to look down and realize we built a shark skin sheath with cane toad inlay for a $20 Cold Steel Bushman Thanks for looking and take care.

 

[sheathmaker]

Well, the Laser Strike is really in a deep seat drop loop sheath and not a traditional pouch style. The Tracker, however, is in a pouch sheath. I took some advice from a previous thread and applied the dye to the edges prior to any saddle soap and got much better penetration results. (Pre prep and hand sanding was the same as usual prior to the application of the dye.) In fact, just used water and elbow grease for the final edge finish. The dry time was still rushed due to time constraints.

Paul

 

[jdk1]

Ah, my bad on the "pouch" part and thanks for the correction. That makes sense.

 

[KG4ULR]

Very cool sheath's.

 

[jdk1]

Thanks KG4ULR! I'm working on finishing the Tracker sheath and will update the thread when that's done.

 

[vilePossum]

i like them both, though i think i like the "not a pouch sheath" better
also great to see the progress you are making. thanks for posting and keep us updated!

 

[jdk1]

i like them both, though i think i like the "not a pouch sheath" better
also great to see the progress you are making. thanks for posting and keep us updated!

Thanks! By "not pouch", I assume you mean the Tracker sheath. Feel free to critique or offer advice. I greatly appreciate constructive criticism. I mean that. It's a design that appeals to the Tracker crowd, and I like the style as it carries the 28 oz. knife comfortably, but would like to improve it as much as possible. Based on looks, I find Paul's style much better looking Thanks again.

 

[knifeleather]

Very nice work!
Just curious, on the Tracker sheath, why is the sheath made from 2 separate pieces? Was that necessary for construction, or just aesthetics? (the part that wraps around the handle)
thx,
mark

 

[jdk1]

Very nice work!
Just curious, on the Tracker sheath, why is the sheath made from 2 separate pieces? Was that necessary for construction, or just aesthetics? (the part that wraps around the handle)
thx,
mark

Mark,When I made my original Tracker sheath, I discovered the leather was too thin and my clamps had left horrible marks on my leather during wet forming. That's when I added a second top piece. The feature just carried over to this one without me really thinking about it. Paul pointed out some of the issues associated with doing it that way during my visit and I've been thinking a lot about the design. On this sheath, it's only purpose is aesthetics. I'll probably do something different if I make another one. I do like the way it looks, but leather isn't cheap

ETA: Were you asking about the retention strap? If so, that definitely is that way for a reason. That 1/4 round on the tracker blade will slice through a retention strap in a heartbeat! I wanted to come up with a strap which would move out of the way of the blade. I've seen the shock cord set-up, but don't really like it. So far this works very well. Here's a pic of how it falls free in horizontal carry. Hopefully I answered your question, which ever part you were asking about.

 

[knifeleather]

thanks! I was referring to the second top piece, not the retention strap.
I do like how you addressed the retention strap tho!
mark

 

[jdk1]

thanks! I was referring to the second top piece, not the retention strap.
I do like how you addressed the retention strap tho!
mark

Just to be clear, the piece with the "hood" covers the entire knife, like the top piece. It's not just a sewed on extension. I like the wet formed look and believe it may help with guiding the blade back into the sheath without being able to see what you're doing. That hood offers a place to let your thumb help guide insertion. I just need to see if I can get that wet form with either one thick piece of leather or a lined piece. That remains to be seen.

I'm also playing with the belt strap system. A big issue with these scout sheaths on a handle heavy knife is stabilization and tilt. The handle quickly tilts down and I'm working on a solution for that. We'll see how that goes