Becoming A Custom Sheath Maker

M

mathnerdm

Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
57
Hey I was just wondering for people who do custom sheaths for other people how do you do it? Do you just do it locally to people you know or what? I've made myself some kydex sheaths and I was wondering what i would need to do to start making some for other people. I know people won't send some random sheath maker their knives to mold so how do you start a little business? Please reply if you have experience in sheath selling! Thanks and have a nice day!
 
Start posting pictures of your work...as more and more people start seeing your work, and liking it, you'll start getting inquiries from them.
Also helps to get a web site.....and you'll need to upgrade your membership here if you intend to sell.
 
Oh ok thanks! What exactly does upgrading membership do? Can i not just say ill do it and have somebody pay through like paypal? Whats the best online transaction setup to use?
 
mathnerdm said:
Oh ok thanks! What exactly does upgrading membership do? Can i not just say ill do it and have somebody pay through like paypal? Whats the best online transaction setup to use?
Click to expand...

Hello! A membership upgrade to Knifemaker/Craftsman/Service Provider allows you to sell your wares and advertise yourself on this site. The coverage here is phenomenal, you will not find a better bang for your buck advertising opportunity anywhere. :) For 60.00 a year you get PM capability, a custom title, room to put your web site address in your sig line, and lots more. Its worth every penny.

As far as online transactions go, Paypal is biggest and most used, closely followed by Google Checkout. I use both with great success.

A web site is your best and first thing to do other than lots of practice in your chosen craft. Theres a lot of online hosts, some with ready made templates to work from. Google search is your good friend there.

Next, never be afraid to ask questions. most sheath makers are very free with their information and love to teach! Take advantage of this!

Lastly and most important is do something unique, find your niche. Generic doesn't usually work well in such a competitive environment. There are literally dozens of kydex benders on this site alone. The most successful ones are those who have either been here forever, or made something different, unique, or just plain our there. Choose your path.
 
For simple site design and hosting, try dreamhost (which integrates WordPress). WordPress is used by many of the world's largest sites, yet it's incredibly easy to use and scale. There are numerous free templates, and those you can pay for as well.

A 5-7 page site can be setup and polished in a weekend. As well, you can get web-email setup through googlemail, which is quite easy to use and very cheap or free.
 
Here is what helped me. Find a maker, who is just starting out too. Offer to make sheaths for him once you get to the point where you are competent. I did this with a maker and we grew together. As our stuff got better - our prices increased.

I made a deal with him to work for knives. He would send me 3 knives - I would send him 3 sheaths and keep and sell the fourth knife and sheath as payment.

Once I got to the point where my work was being asked for - I started taking custom orders.

TF
 
From my experience. Start making and show your work. Do not let criticism discourage you. If you are thinking going pro, as mentioned, website is great idea. Since you are here you already know that joining different communities is good idea. For start you might offer making sheaths (or whatever you want) for free just to get experience. Make a simple lotery and offer one of your items. People do accept free stuff :D but if what they get will please them they might come back for more.

And most important, have fun doing it! When you do, it shows in your craft and attitude to others.

Mat
 
Good advice from all....but.....

Aren't you going to tell him about the mandatory electro-shock therapy?

Jus' sayin'
 
OKU! Shhhh - don't ruin it! ;)




One thing that I noticed from the Knife and Sheath making community is to BE GENEROUS. Share you ideas and techniques as you learn them and they will do the same for you.

I try to do give away's and how -to's - even though my stuff is not the best - it really does 'pay it forward' and I have found that it the best policy.

Everyone on this board has been VERY generous to me - and I try to pay it forward to the next guy.

TF
 
Here is where I learned to make sheaths & holsters: http://leatherworker.net/forum/

The folks on there have been very helpful with good constructive criticism --- and even from world-class makers there.

I don't have a website or a big operation, but I mostly sell to friends & neighbors via word-of-mouth -- when I have time. Plus, a custom holster requires you to have the gun on hand, a quality "blue gun" or replica or own the model firearm - so I basically run a local operation. Even at this level there is more work demand than I can fit into my schedule. If I can't help someone else I refer them to some of the outstanding craftsman & artisans that have helped me out on leatherworker.net.

Another thing to consider is to making holsters as well as knife sheaths - I probably make 5-6 holsters for every 1 sheath. And they command a premium.

Good luck!
 
Just make sure you have plenty of time to do the work. People will not wait 5 years for one of your creations (when you're new anyway) the way folks wait for Randall knives. You gotta be able to turn work around and get it out the door. Maybe not in a week mind you but you can't start making custom sheaths without deposits and you can't hang on to money very long before people get nervous. Expectation management is probably a key too.
 
Make sheaths for your own personal use and post pics. That will get the ball rolling.
 
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