Buck 110 sheath

[Gary W. Graley]

It should be prefixed as How Not to

Occasionally I get in a Buck 110 to create a sheath, either vertical
or horizontal, the 110's really shine at retention due to the handle
shape, just fits really secure. Main problem is, Buck has made the
knife so well and so affordable, it's hard for folks to go the extra for
a custom sheath and I certainly do not blame them for that!

So back to the tale of the wayward sheath, I started this sheath
when I returned from a business trip and I got carried away when
I shaped the drop down opening area, I usually mark the thickness
of the handle onto the sheath, then do a soft curve down to make
it more attractive than just a straight opening, this being on the vertical
sheaths, not the horizontal, just works better and looks better on the vertical.

I thought after I started shaping the leather that it should not have gone down
as far as I did, but figured with the 110's excellent history of fitup, a little bit
wouldn't hurt and once sewn up, it did fit well, but not as strong as I liked and
so I slashed that sheath in half, I call it a commitment cut once done there
is no fixing that!

Here are some shots of the first sheath, the edging was not finished, as I waited
to see how it fitup after final stitching was completed;

and here is the new one I'm starting tonight, you can see the curve doesn't
drop down near as far;

side shot of the first one, with the lower half slide on, seems weird to see that

and a side shot of the new one, you can see here that the leather now
comes up higher and over the peak of the blade's spine, which will provide
very secure retention;

some extra shots of the first one, while it still worked and held the knife
I just wouldn't let it go this way,

and a looksee down the throat of the bottom half, you can see that I also
shape the bottom portion of the sheath to better fitup the knife to the sheath
I've seen a lot of 110's and each seem just a little bit different than the next
so I always need that person's actual knife for the fitup

So the story ends, becareful when you start cutting the leather!
And, hope this helps some of you with your starting into sheath making,

G2

 

[mitch13]

That is good Gary:thumbup::thumbup:
Mitch

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks Mitch, it's better to not send something out that you're not happy with and
while the person getting this may not have noticed the difference, I would remember.

Now some knives just plain don't have good retention factor and that's why I ask to
see an image of that person's folder in the closed position so I can see if it is one that
would work in one of my sheaths.

G2

 

[ponte]

Very cool post. I'm learning something new all the time here. Great close up shots too.

 

[rayban]

You know what I always say if it don't have good retention feature...."flap it!"

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Hehe, yep Flaps are good for some things, working on one right now for a ZT0200
won't make another one, that is a rather Large folder and due to it's shape, the
handle reducing in size to the end, it needed to have a flap cover.
I hate messing with flaps or straps and avoid them when ever possible, but some
things just need them! Like the Swiss Army Tool, no contours so it had to have
a retaining system added, I made a strap that goes around the end and snaps
back onto itself along the side of the tool, so when you unsnap it, the strap will
clear out of the way easily, but it's a pain to make.

Here's a link to the first ZT0200 sheath I made, a fellow in England is getting the last
one, shipping tomorrow actually

ZT0200 sheath thread

G2

 

[rayban]

Yeppers, I remember seeing it b4.....outstanding work!:thumbup: