Cimeter Sheath Help

[hawaiianhawk]

Hello, sheathmakers. I'd like to ask for a little advice and guidance on a project I'm working on.

I've started working with leather this year, and have been having a lot of fun with it. I've made several projects for myself just to learn things, and made a sheath for a friend's fishing knife. It was a simple case for a 12-inch Victorinox butcher knife. After she received her knife, her dad asked for one as well. His knife is a Vic Cimeter that he's had for forty years.

My question is this: How can I make a sheath that follows the curve nicely but allows the knife to be resheathed easily? I already tried one pattern and made a few mistakes, but it seemed to work when I had pinned it together. However, after gluing everything in place prior to stitching, I found that the curve of the blade really didn't fit into the sheath. Do you have any advice on how to follow the curve nicely, or should I make the sheath wider than the width of the curve like I did for the bullnosed butcher knife?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Alan G.]

Most sheaths I have seen for blades like you describe would have a section on the spine edge of the sheath that is not sewn shut. The unsewn portion starts at the top and goes as far down toward the tip as necessary to allow the blade to be sheathed but still cover the tip and retain the knife.

 

[hawaiianhawk]

Thank you! I think you may have just solved my problem.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Some guys do a spineless sheath where the leather is basically missing from the spine side. The leather covers the entire edge and wraps around the tip. I wish I could think of an example. There may be some pics in sticky thread at the top. They do it with leather and kydex both. Looks really cool, but I've never attempted one. It may be an advanced project. Either way, welcome to working with leather. It's one of the best things I've done.

 

[hawaiianhawk]

Thanks for the advice; I know what you mean. My Kabar Kukri sheath is made in a similar fashion. It's great fun, and just this past Sunday I picked up a set of basic stamps and a swivel knife, so I have some new toys to play with.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Nice. Let's see some pics when you can.

 

[hawaiianhawk]

Finished the sheath and got it to my friend. She said her dad loved it, so I'm pleased.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Hey now, not too shabby! Looks clean and fairly simple. Did you put a loop on the back? I like the retention strap over the spine. Did you find this to be any more difficult than your other work?

 

[sheathmaker]

Nice design and good work, and yes, you got it right the first time. Good job:thumbup:

Paul

 

[hawaiianhawk]

Thanks for the kind words, folks.

Strigamort, there's no loop on the back. Putting it all together was very similar to the first sheath I'd made for my friend, with the addition of the snap and loop. It was getting the curve right so the blade would slide in cleanly and draw easily.

Thank you, Sheathmaker. This was the second attempt; the first one I could barely get the blade halfway into the sheath. Part of the body of that sheath became the retention strap on this incarnation.