bk2 leather sheath second attempt. I need some ideas from you sheath makers.

M

Martin Trj

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Apr 2, 2012
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So I wasn't completely satisfied with my first sheath, the bk2 is already very heavy to be adding an altoids tin pouch to it IMHO.





I started making a simpler one but before I finish it I need help from you guys, the handle of the bk2 is very heavy so if I make a regular belt loop it'll have the same problem as the stock sheath.



Here are my two ideas. What worked better for you in order to avoid the sheath to act like the stock one? Thanks

 
Well, you have a few options. One thing you could try is making the piece that will serve as the belt loop longer, and out of thicker material. By longer I mean a longer piece that comes down further on the sheath itself, out of thicker material that should reduce any issues with a "floppy" belt loop. Another thing you could try is adding something non-leather in there as a stiffener. Finally, there isn't much to lose by attaching the loop to the mouth of the sheath that will be around the handle higher up, which would prevent it from flopping around as well. Either way, I look forward to seeing what you manage to whip up!
 
What I did with the fist one is to attach the loop to the sheath, it works but I wanted to do something different with this one. We'll see, just got back home and will figure something out. Will update when I finish.
Thanks for the ideas! I might use a piece of kydex to stiffen the loop.
 
Well with the belt loop that long and attached to the middle of the sheath the 2 is going to want to flop around, All the weight is in the handle. Move the loop up and shorten it.
 
The problem is that I cut the top of the sheath with the shape of the handle so there's not a lotta room to attach the loop there. I'm thinking about attaching the belt loop to a piece of kydex (but I don't have any) to avoid the sheath to flop. We'll see.
 
Stitch the belt loop onto that spacer you've got already, and then I'd say stitch part of the belt loop to the collar of the sheath (the part surrounding the handle), right in line with where your retention strap is. Then the belt loop will only be able to flex after that set of stitches. It appear like you've got plenty of leather on the collar to stitch too. Just do a 3/4" sized box of stitches. It may be awkward to punch some holes into it now that its been wet molded, but I think thats about your only option if you are going for a simple sheath. I've done a few sheaths with this method I've mentioned above on the folded collar sheath like you are making, and it works very well.
 
Goose_52 said:
Stitch the belt loop onto that spacer you've got already, and then I'd say stitch part of the belt loop to the collar of the sheath (the part surrounding the handle), right in line with where your retention strap is. Then the belt loop will only be able to flex after that set of stitches. It appear like you've got plenty of leather on the collar to stitch too. Just do a 3/4" sized box of stitches. It may be awkward to punch some holes into it now that its been wet molded, but I think thats about your only option if you are going for a simple sheath. I've done a few sheaths with this method I've mentioned above on the folded collar sheath like you are making, and it works very well.
Click to expand...

Either that or a couple of snaps. I'm trying to get a piece of kydex to attach it to the loop we'll see if that works (kinda like what you do with yours). I will report as soon as I'm done.
Thanks everybody for your help.
 
I'm done! I still haven't decided what to do with the strap but since had already made it I used it. I will modify it later on, I also made the altoids pouch to go with it. Thanks!






 
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Second attempt is much better! Much cleaner lines.

In my experience, the holsters and knife sheaths that I have made that were a simple design, have turned out to function the best, and looked the nicest.

Did you use t-nuts on the back of your chicago screws to hold the layers of leather together?
 
You know what? I didn't use them but I have been able to remove the screws with no problem since I glued them to the leather.

I do have to state that these are just personal projects not intended for sale or trade, I had copied patented design (oops) but I have already modified it to avoid any legal issues.
 
Nice sheath! The BK2 is definitely a bit on the heavy side (though I do like the weight of it). If you make a third sheath and you want to avoid the flopping around, you could try wetting your leather (I'm assuming you're working 5-7 oz leather?) and baking it around 120 Fahrenheit for an hour. That will stiffen it up a lot - if you don't mind harder leather, that's a simple way to keep the design you want and get a little more rigidity in your belt loop.
 
I glued the belt loop together and added some stitches and that took care of the problem. The sheath doesn't flop anymore.

 
Very respectable. Isn't the BK2 an awesome knife? Do you bevel your edges? Taking the time to bevel and burnish the edges makes a huge difference in final appearance.
 
Thank you Lethal289, I don't know all the names yet but I do use this tool to treat the edges and I apply Edge kote. I'm still learning but I enjoy it a lot. The bk2 is a heck of a knife! Next thing I will do is to get micarta scales for it.
 
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