Attachment Options for Axe Sheath?

K

Kansan

Joined
Feb 9, 2013
Messages
13
I started my axe obsession over in the axe section of this forum & have collected / restored quite a few vintage axes. However, I then needed sheaths to protect all that hard work and I got into leather working which has also been a lot of fun.

My question is whether anyone has a good idea on a sheath design that would have some sort of attachment system for carrying a full sized axe like this on horseback or ATV? I've been looking at rifle scabbards for horseback riding which attached via a combination of buckles, D-rings, and/or saddle strings but I can't think of a good similar design for an axe due to the different geometry.

Perhaps a sheath that covers the entire axe head with a D-Ring on the poll? Anyone ever seen something like that?

The basic idea is coming up with a sheath that would aid in securing the axe to a horse (or ATV or truck bed or backpack, etc) for those times when you want to take an axe to the backwoods for trail work, Christmas tree felling, or whatever else you might want to do. I know you can just strap it on, but I want to incorporate some attachment device into the sheath itself.

Here are the types of sheaths I've made to date, which obviously have no way to strap the sheath or axe to an external object:

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I just came from the other thread where I asked you about these sheaths. Is there some reason why you can't add a scout carry style belt loop? Maybe that wouldn't be versatile enough. Interested to hear what the others have to say.

Sorry, I'm not much help, but I mainly wanted to tell you how much I like those examples. The carving looks awesome, and I love the dye job on the basket weave. Really lovely. Any reason why you went with a buckle? I have a bunch of those that I bought a while back and have used exactly one. :o
 
I had to google "scout carry style belt loop" - yes, that might work, especially if I were to attach it to some sort of webbing or MOLLE gear. I've been trying to think of attachment options other than belt loops, since you wouldn't want a 32" axe hanging off your belt. I was thinking D rings so that you could attach stuff the old school way with piggin strings or something. However, I see possibilites with the scout carry belt loops since I see people on google images using them with MOLLE style gear. I'd have to make the sheath cover the entire axe head, though, to have the room on the leather for double loops. Hmmm... thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks also for the kind words - I like experimenting with the tooling and colors. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to do some Sheridan style tooling. I went with the buckle on the one sheath because I made it for my grandfather who lives in another state & only have pictures and some measurements to go off of. I felt pretty confident that the sheath itself would fit (and it did) but I wasn't so sure about the exact length of the strap. So, I just sent it to him without any holes punched in the strap and he was able to punch the hole in the right place. One-size-fits-all type of strap :)

I may try out some attachment options on a sheath I need to make for a double-bit axe I have. Still have to refinish and hang if first, though, might be awhile.
 
Do you want to carry the axe vertical , horizontal , or both ?
How long are your axe handles ?

Ken
 
Ken, I'd like to carry them horizontally. I'm looking at 3.5 lbs axe heads on 30 - 32" handles. I would not mind a canted option, similar to a rifle scabard the people carry on horses. I'm assuming I will have to strap the handle independently, which could easily be accomplished with a paracord loop going through a hole at the butt of the handle.
 
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