Bare minimum for profitable sheathmaking

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dtownknifekid

Joined
Dec 21, 2006
Messages
1,155
Okay so i want to get into sheathmaking and leatherwork mainly to add money to the knife/car/gas fund. What is the minimum tool requirement for this and how much will it cost me? Oh and where can i get said tools?
 
I started with only a stanlyknife, cutting board, awl, groovestitcher, ruler, sandpaper, glue, wax.. needles, tigerthread. That should suffice for a decent sheath..
You'll collect more along the way..

This is what I have now:

stanleyknife
heavy duty scissors
awl
stitch marker
edgebeveler
groovecutter
sandpaper (180, 400, 800, 1200 grit)
sno seal beeswax
fiebings pro oil-dye
tigerthread
chicagoscrews
gunrivets/sam brown posts
punch set
alphabet stampset
small anvil
steel ruler
bone
leatherglue or bison contactglue
small paperclamps (lots)
pencil-paper
pliers
wooden hammer

For the kydex I have a dedicated oven, a heatgun and a small drill. I form using a campingmat and a cuttingboard to stand on.
My shop is a corner in the living room..

euhh..
well, that's about it I guess.
I'm making money..


Not a huge investment in tools, but rather an investment in time and dedication is needed to find out what there is to know about leather, forming it, preserving it etc.

Hope this helps
Have fun!
martin
:)
 
Sheathmaking is profitable?
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Start off by going to Tandy and getting a bit of leather and the very basics. Some thread, needles, awl and an adjustable groover. You can mark stitch holes with a fork. Don't try to do everything at once. Start with a simple sheath and add new techniques as you learn the basics. No reason to buy tons of stuff....you might find you hate sheathmaking. But if it's your thing the sky is the limit on tools and such.
 
Okay thanks for the help. On the profitable part i just want a little extra money on the side to supplant my job not a sole source of income.
 
If you don't count your hours, it's very possible to make a small profit.
But start small, as ilbruche suggested, and it'll grow on you before you know. It's a fun thing to do.
 
I wouldn't mind getting into it in a very small way, just to make for myself a few crappy sheaths (Busse ASH-1, Koster Bushcraft, BRKT PSK, etc.).

:thumbup:
 
The question I'ld ask.
Have you done leather work before? If not start off small to see if you like it.
Most of us don't make much, just have a passion for doing leatherwork.:D
Cheers
Mitch
 
Yeah i got the leatherworking merit badge in scouts, so i have a basic understanding, and have always thought man i have to find a way to continue this. Then i saw the handmade belts from Philmont and you guys' work and decided that this is definately something i want to do.
 
It sure is fun --- and rewarding when you make something you can be proud of...

BUT oh man, I'd hate to think what my hourly wage would be if I were trying to make money, LOL. You'll have to be MUCH faster than me for it to be profitable. But then again, there are many pros on this forum who can turn them out and make a living doing it.

Good luck bro, it really is a wonderful craft.
 
dtownknifekid said:
Okay thanks for the help. On the profitable part i just want a little extra money on the side to supplant my job not a sole source of income.
Click to expand...

Some online tutorials..http://www.knivesby.com/knifemaking.html

a DVD - http://www.ccinstructionalvideos.com/burrows_sheaths.htm

and yes you can make money at leather work - after 47+ years at it I'm a full-time custom maker (been mostly full-time for about 15 years), but sheaths alone are just part of my work - part timer's can make some extra cash, but there is lot's of competition - it's tough either way and full-time is not for the weak of heart........;)
 
"Full time is not for the weak of heart....."

You aint just whisltin' Dixie brother!!! :eek: 8th year now full time here.
 
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