Axe sheath questions

M

Maine20

Joined
Aug 8, 2017
Messages
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So I would like to start making sheaths for my axes but have zero experience with it. A few pointers will go a long way to get started, some questions I have are:
1. What is a good online source for leather?
2. What type/ thickness is best for an axe sheath? Not looking to break the bank, just make a basic functional sheath.

Any other basic info will be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
I
Maine20 said:
So I would like to start making sheaths for my axes but have zero experience with it. A few pointers will go a long way to get started, some questions I have are:
1. What is a good online source for leather?
2. What type/ thickness is best for an axe sheath? Not looking to break the bank, just make a basic functional sheath.

Any other basic info will be appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I get mine from leather unlimited online. 8-10oz weight leather is sufficient. Then i use Amazon for the snaps and rivets. I don't know why they size the snaps the way they do but i use either line 24 snaps or line 20(a tad smaller). And medium size double cap rivets. Hope that helps! Good luck. It's fun!
 
I forgot to add that you may want to swing by a craft store and get yourself a self healing mat and a good hobby knife for cutting the leather. This one i picked up is real good for cutting the long radius cuts you need to make when cutting a sheath out. It's all "olfa" brand. I make a paper pattern first and then trace it on the leather in pen and then cut just inside the line.
HOOOIRk.jpg
 
My dad has a cow hide and a calf hide and a neighbor has 3 elk hides he said I can have if I need 'em. I also have 4 50 or 75 foot firehoses I could use if that route was better. I know, I suck. Now all I need to do is knuckle down and get the hardware. Sometime soon, I hope. Could you post the snap size differences and possibly a sheath making tutorial, Yankee Josh?
 
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A17 said:
My dad has a cow hide and a calf hide and a neighbor has 3 elk hides he said I can have if I need 'em. I also have 4 50 or 75 foot firehoses I could use if that route was better. I know, I suck. Now all I need to do is knuckle down and get the hardware. Sometime soon , I hope. Could you post the snap size differences and possibly a sheath making tutorial, Yankee Josh?
Click to expand...
Sure thing man. I'll throw a few pics together tomorrow and post it here. I'm hitting the sack. Almost 1 here.
 
Okay here we go! I always get the medium size double cap rivets. They are just perfect for 8-10oz weight leather. Here are line 24 and line 20(smaller) snaps next to each other. I'll be using line 24 for this sheath.
Ss57l1m.jpg

And here's the tools i use. You'll need a setter and anvil for whichever size snaps you go with.
Z2G9J6n.jpg

You'll want to add about a 1/4" when you trace the bit on paper. I just freehand it. At the top(or bottom whichever way you want the snap) make sure you add a little for the extra leather it takes to wrap around the bit.
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After i cut out both the sheath(s) and the straps for the closures I clamp them in some wood to assist in the process.
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If the leather protrudes past the axe you'll want to cut back a small section so the closure strap wraps hard around the axe otherwise it'll bunch up the sheath.
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And viola! You've got a sheath! Sometimes i run the outside edges over the belt sander to clean em up.
F7aH1HW.jpg

The only other thing i can think of is the post on the outside snap is rather long. I always shorten them a little on the belt sander because when setting them instead of mushrooming down they have a tendency to bend and lay over sideways. Also make sure your closure seems like it's WAY too tight. The leather will stretch soon and you'll have a loose sheath otherwise. After awhile you'll have enough patterns so you don't need to make them anymore!
kfkUFIU.jpg

I'm sure there's someone on here eminently more qualified to post info on sheath making. Mine are very basic. Hope this helps! Good luck!
 
Maine20 said:
So I would like to start making sheaths for my axes. . .
Click to expand...
I am no leather worker, but make my own sheaths. FWIW, I started making this style with welts and strap:



Now I make a simpler version:


IIRC, I am using 8 oz. leather. I buy leather, tools, rivets & burrs, etc. mostly from Tandy. I use barge cement (waterproof contact cement) for the welt and then add the rivets. When I install the snaps I make the hole for the top part and use that hole to locate the bottom hole. I make the bottom hole "ahead" of the top hole. I want the snap to require extra effort to close when it is "new" because the leather will stretch. The sheath above (with the strap) has dye, while the other is just oiled. I find just Neat's-foot oil is good for me.


Bob

Apologies to the OP. Not leather but I am curious if anyone has experience with this type:


I'd like to make one and thought I would shamelessly scab off of this thread to troll for comments.:D
 
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