Any interest in Leather Sheaths for Bussekin blades?

neugene

neugene

Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
43
I'm not trying to sell these yet so I hope it is okay to post this here.

I have seen many ads in the exchange forum for Kydex sheaths, would any of you be interested in leather sheaths for your Busse, Swamp Rat and Scrapyard knives?
In order to make a custom fitted sheath I need one of each knife to make a pattern from and that can be expensive so I am just trying to see if the interest is there.
If there is enough interest I might be willing to work with the first person to purchase each type of sheath by giving the sheath for the cost of the materials in exchange for using their knife to make a pattern.

I work in ~12oz. Saddle Leather or ~10oz. English Bridle Leather for larger knives and lighter leather upon request. My sheaths are all double stitched and the stitching is recessed for protection against abrasion. I use single or double bolsters (depending on the thickness of the blade) on all sheaths to insure that the stitching does not get cut by the edge. All exterior surfaces of the sheath are sealed for water resistance.

Here are a few examples of my work. Sorry for the bad pics, I'm not much of a photographer.

This one was made from 8oz. tooling leather with green pigskin laminated to match the scales of the knife.
1e51961c.jpg


This is a simple English Bridle Leather sheath made for a Yard Keeper LE.
P1020671.jpg


This was a special request. The guy wanted an English Bridle Leather sheath that looked aged to compliment the look of a knife that he had made.
P1020637.jpg


The blade of this one was made by a friends father in 1978. I just finished making handle out of stainless billet and stacked G-10 and Micarta and the sheath out of English Bridle Leather. The blade shape is similar to a scimitar so I tried to match the sheath to the curve.
SANY0601.jpg
 
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I'd be very interested! I have kydex for all my knives, but a second leather sheath wouldn't hurt. Heck, I'll send you all my knives if you want.

1. NMFBM LE
2. BOSS HG-55 LE
3. Skinny ASH-1
4. SAR-3 SE
5. Ruck
6. Swamp Rat Ratmandu
7. SR Swamp Warden
 
Those look nice! I would be interested also, my collection is just starting but I would send my SAR-3 SE to you for a pattern. I don't expect a free sheath, but a discount would be nice:D
 
I like the top sheath. :)

Looks like you've had some practice there.

There's a few of us leatherbenders wobbling around here on occasion when the alcohol wears off and the glue fumes start getting to us, and there's plenty of room for another, as long as you dont mind getting bumped into every know and then when I get a little too wobbly. :o
 
Thanks for the compliments everyone.

Leatherman, getting "bumped into" has never been an issue. For the most part my skin is thicker than the leather I work with and I always welcome suggestions and criticism, it's all part of the process and in the end it results in better products. If you can give me any hints or tips I will be in your debt.

I got my start in this by repairing tack and braiding leather many moons ago. After looking at your website we have several things in common. While I am a LONG way from considering myself an artist, I too do it all by hand using a knife, awl, needle and thread. It takes a while but it gives me something to do to keep those OCD demons at bay. (That's the main reason I do this, I have a real problem sitting still and doing nothing.)
I do however resort to a sander to smooth out the edges.

Thanks again,
Chris
 
Completely honest answer from me is I am a loyal customer of ChuddyBearLeather.

Nice looking sheaths though.
 
It's a good thing that I have skin thicker than the leather I work with. If I didn't I might get upset by someone practically advertising for another leather worker in the middle of a thread I started to find out if there would be any interest in having me make sheaths for their Bussekin knives.
 
The local leather makers are well known in the Busse forum. I was not intending to "advertise". If it bothers you I will edit it out. I thought you would have appreciated my honesty. I also was unsure if you were familiar with the maker. You did say you wanted feedback from Leatherman... ChuddyBear is just another local:thumbup:

It is good to know your competition and like you say you asked if there is interest and I answered you with an honest NO speaking solely for myself.
 
There's no need to edit anything, this is an open forum. I do appreciate honesty and, as I stated earlier, I am open to criticism and feedback from any and all. However, I fail to see how mentioning another persons/manufacturers work in this thread could possibly be viewed as either criticism or feedback.
By the same right, if someone from Chuddy Bear started a thread about their work I would consider it inappropriate for me or anyone else to post in it regarding my sheaths.
 
neugene said:
There's no need to edit anything, this is an open forum. I do appreciate honesty and, as I stated earlier, I am open to criticism and feedback from any and all. However, I fail to see how mentioning another persons/manufacturers work in this thread could possibly be viewed as either criticism or feedback.
By the same right, if someone from Chuddy Bear started a thread about their work I would consider it inappropriate for me or anyone else to post in it regarding my sheaths.
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My apologies. I wish I could have been more helpful. Best of luck to you.

To clarify, you can take me mentioning another maker anyway you like. Again, I thought it would have been helpful if you were unaware of him. You seemed sincere in wanting to get to know the makers and any hints and tips they may have to offer you. You have to understand that I am a LOYAL customer and the makers on this forum are WELL KNOWN. Mentioning them in a thread is never really for advertising purposes. I have always voiced my opinions of the aforementioned maker. It is well know by the sheath makers, leather and kydex, what makers I am loyal to (The first two makers I came across...yeah I guess I am boring but I have been taken care of well). You have come to a very loyal group of people here. It is only fair that you are aware of this and have an understanding of what you are dealing with.

Once again, I wish my comments would have been more helpful.
 
neugene said:
I have seen many ads in the exchange forum for Kydex sheaths, would any of you be interested in leather sheaths for your Busse, Swamp Rat and Scrapyard knives?
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Neugene,

I believe richstag was giving an honest answer to your question above. I think he may have gotten the same impression from your post that I did--that you apparently are unaware there are several leather sheath makers who have been regular suppliers to Busse owners for many years and are regular contributors to the Busse forum and community. Several are listed on the bussecombat.com site under Sheath Options.

So I don’t believe richstag was trying to steal your thunder—he was simply answering you in a way that reflected his impression that you are unaware of the fact there are established leather sheath makers who are regulars here and have loyal followers. As I said, I got that same impression from your first post. And from a quick search of your prior posts, it looks like you posted here for the first time in April of this year and have posted to only two threads here other than your own advertising thread. That seems to support the impression.

The leather artists who make sheaths for Busse knives have no exclusive claim on that business, and this is a fundamentally open and inclusive group as evidenced by leatherman’s complimentary post above. He is a senior member of the community of leatherwork suppliers to Busse owners. The fact that you have been so openly accepted after starting a thread that implied you were completely unaware of these established Busse suppliers, I think might give you some idea of where richstag is coming from. I also think you’ll find there are many longstanding members here who share richstag’s impression of your thread.

Best of luck to you in your business,
Will
 
Gentlemen, I apologize if I came across as defensive, that was honestly not my intent. I don't do this as a business, by trade I am a mechanical engineer. Leather work is just something I enjoy, pure and simple. Also, this thread was not started as a means to advertise anything for sale.
I scan the Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrap Yard section of the exchange several times a week and don't recall seeing any leather sheaths advertised there. I started this thread to determine whether or not I should invest in several Bussekin knives in order to make patterns for sheaths which would be posted for sale in the exchange. I am not poor but I don't have piles of cash lying around to invest frivolously either so if the interest wasn't there I did not want to make the investment. I included the part about working with people who already own the knives thinking it would be mutually beneficial.

Considering the posts preceding this one I will amend my thread subject. If anyone is having trouble finding a sheath feel free to contact me.
 
neugene said:
I scan the Busse/Swamp Rat/Scrap Yard section of the exchange several times a week and don't recall seeing any leather sheaths advertised there.
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You might want to start by visiting the Sheath Options section of the bussecombat.com site and seeing what is being offered there. I believe you'll fine several leather sheath makers who have invested in a broad scope of Busse knife models from which to make sheaths available to Busse owners. Regulars here are well aware of these makers' capabilities and inventories, so no need for them to advertise very often on the Exchange.

That said, you may well find niches left unfilled by the current suppliers, and certainly you may produce innovative styles which find a market here. No one is telling you not to offer your work--just that it might help to do a little more homework so you understand your market and your competition better. :thumbup:

Best wishes,
Will
 
I got your PM and I'll respond to you via the email address you gave me. I'm sure we can work something out. There are quite a bit of loyalists around here because its become something of a family. Money and quality talks though, so I'm sure if you're reasonable with the former and superior with the latter, you'll more than just fill a niche. I for one like to try different products from different artists... except for Kydex. Steelnut is the man. :D :thumbup:
 
All my Busse's live in leather from various sheath makers. It's always good to have another option.
 
After thinking about it and re-reading this post I have decided that it was in no way productive and that it broke my 1st rule of forum conduct which is to never bicker over things that I feel are not immediately relevant to the topic. Therefore I have edited it out.

Chris
 
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neugene said:
Thanks for the compliments everyone.

Leatherman, getting "bumped into" has never been an issue. For the most part my skin is thicker than the leather I work with and I always welcome suggestions and criticism, it's all part of the process and in the end it results in better products. If you can give me any hints or tips I will be in your debt.

I got my start in this by repairing tack and braiding leather many moons ago. After looking at your website we have several things in common. While I am a LONG way from considering myself an artist, I too do it all by hand using a knife, awl, needle and thread. It takes a while but it gives me something to do to keep those OCD demons at bay. (That's the main reason I do this, I have a real problem sitting still and doing nothing.)
I do however resort to a sander to smooth out the edges.

Thanks again,
Chris
Click to expand...

Busy hands are a good thing. :) Thank you for the kind words and I am glad your open to tips and suggestions, I was, and now I do this full time. Constructive criticisms are the best way to improve ones work.

I use a belt/disk combo to even up my edges as well, it saves so much time and the result is much better than any hand sanding. I do hand finish with a fine grit paper after though.

Keep posting and reading and asking questions, its a good thing! :D Also you might wander over to the Sheaths and Such section here, there's a ton of information and an equal amount of makers of legendary skill.
 
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