- Joined
- Oct 25, 2004
- Messages
- 3,178
When I first came here asking about khukuris, you could have very easily told me to get an axe or something. Instead, you expounded on the virtues of the khuk, and some months and much money later I have quite a few of them and am wondering which will be next.
That, of course, got me interested in swords. Again, you could've warned me. You did not. Now I have a bunch of those hanging up as well.
When I started chopping up beer cans and milk jugs on video, you could've told me that I was crazy and to knock it off. You did not. You egged me on. Now half the block gives me their recyclables and the neighbors don't bat an eye at my antics. Some of them ask me to sharpen their axes for them.
While I was sharpening my cutlery with a file, you all started going on about this convex edge somethinerother, and how useful it was, and how I could produce one. Then you told me to get a belt sander. After that, at the MWKK, everyone felt it would be a good idea to show me how stropping works. I now live in mortal fear of every sharp object in my home, from the swords to the splitting maul.
In retrospect I should have known that it would not be a good idea to follow through on any other ideas that I've seen here; it would lead to buying more stuff, learning new skills, and taking up even more of my time. Unfortunately, I remembered the occasional discussion about making sheathes, and what with Dan kindly putting a tutorial up on his website and all...
Two weeks ago I drove over to the Tandy store in Tacoma and the deal was sealed.
I'm a bit of a slow learner. Project #1 and Project #2 exploded on the launch pad. Project #3 was a simple pancake sheath for a spearhead and while it's perfectly functional, I certainly don't want anyone seeing what it looks like.
Fortunately, Projects #4 and #5, while ugly, are not so ugly so as to make one's teeth hurt. I actually like how Project #6 turned out. I can show these.
From left to right:
Folded over sheath for one of Ragnar's Viking Bearded Axes, with "magic braid" keeper shamelessly ripped off from Dan's site - thanks Dan.
HI Hasiya with quick-draw pancake sheath, design shamelessly ripped off from numerous sources, most notably Bri in Chi - thanks Bri.
Folded over sheath for one of Ragnar's stickers, design ripped off from Ragnar's site - thanks Ragnar.
The Hasiya and sticker sheathes were dipped in hot wax, about 50/50 paraffin and beeswax from the apiary down the street. They smell nice, look nice, and were so unspeakably messy and frustrating to make that I doubt that I'll be doing any more like that. The 'hawk's sheath was simply soaked in Ballistol.
I did the sewing by hand using artifical sinew (on sale) and I have a new understanding and appreciation for what custom sheath makers must go through. Had Dan not mentioned using a drill press I'd still be punching holes.
While not readily visible in the pic, I secured the top edge of the 'hawk's sheath with rawhide lacing instead of sewing. It turned out much nicer than I'd expected it would.
I'll give my fingers a few days to heal and then it's on to the next project - I'm thinking that I need a baldric for those swords.
To all those who've given tips and tricks for leatherworking here in the past - Dan, Yvsa, Heber, Bri, and all the rest that I've missed - thank you. I would not have even considered attempting something like this otherwise.
That, of course, got me interested in swords. Again, you could've warned me. You did not. Now I have a bunch of those hanging up as well.
When I started chopping up beer cans and milk jugs on video, you could've told me that I was crazy and to knock it off. You did not. You egged me on. Now half the block gives me their recyclables and the neighbors don't bat an eye at my antics. Some of them ask me to sharpen their axes for them.
While I was sharpening my cutlery with a file, you all started going on about this convex edge somethinerother, and how useful it was, and how I could produce one. Then you told me to get a belt sander. After that, at the MWKK, everyone felt it would be a good idea to show me how stropping works. I now live in mortal fear of every sharp object in my home, from the swords to the splitting maul.
In retrospect I should have known that it would not be a good idea to follow through on any other ideas that I've seen here; it would lead to buying more stuff, learning new skills, and taking up even more of my time. Unfortunately, I remembered the occasional discussion about making sheathes, and what with Dan kindly putting a tutorial up on his website and all...
Two weeks ago I drove over to the Tandy store in Tacoma and the deal was sealed.
I'm a bit of a slow learner. Project #1 and Project #2 exploded on the launch pad. Project #3 was a simple pancake sheath for a spearhead and while it's perfectly functional, I certainly don't want anyone seeing what it looks like.
Fortunately, Projects #4 and #5, while ugly, are not so ugly so as to make one's teeth hurt. I actually like how Project #6 turned out. I can show these.
From left to right:
Folded over sheath for one of Ragnar's Viking Bearded Axes, with "magic braid" keeper shamelessly ripped off from Dan's site - thanks Dan.
HI Hasiya with quick-draw pancake sheath, design shamelessly ripped off from numerous sources, most notably Bri in Chi - thanks Bri.
Folded over sheath for one of Ragnar's stickers, design ripped off from Ragnar's site - thanks Ragnar.
The Hasiya and sticker sheathes were dipped in hot wax, about 50/50 paraffin and beeswax from the apiary down the street. They smell nice, look nice, and were so unspeakably messy and frustrating to make that I doubt that I'll be doing any more like that. The 'hawk's sheath was simply soaked in Ballistol.
I did the sewing by hand using artifical sinew (on sale) and I have a new understanding and appreciation for what custom sheath makers must go through. Had Dan not mentioned using a drill press I'd still be punching holes.
While not readily visible in the pic, I secured the top edge of the 'hawk's sheath with rawhide lacing instead of sewing. It turned out much nicer than I'd expected it would.
I'll give my fingers a few days to heal and then it's on to the next project - I'm thinking that I need a baldric for those swords.
To all those who've given tips and tricks for leatherworking here in the past - Dan, Yvsa, Heber, Bri, and all the rest that I've missed - thank you. I would not have even considered attempting something like this otherwise.
Very nice work. Isn't it wonderful how having khukuris in your care can lead to so many other projects? The next thing you know you'll be building and making other and larger things instead of destroying so many little ones.