Could use some help with design, please.

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

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Mar 19, 2007
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I am making a sheath for this knife:

Fiddleback%20Forager_zpsmqedxkyy.jpg


I would like to keep this a pouch sheath if possible - but I am not sure if the cutlass style tip will cause any problems.

It doesn't seem to be that the cutlass tip is extreme enough to hinder this design, but I may be simply not be seeing the whole picture. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Jason
 
Jason, a Butterfly style pouch sheath would be my choice for that knife. It all hinges on the vertical reference line on your pattern and the tilt of the knife in relation to that line. Give me a call if you want to discuss.

Paul
 
Jason it looks like you are going to have a problem with the welt width (to narrow from the clip peak to the tip). In fact it looks like you're too tight all the way around for a good 1/2" welt which is what I use because you can lose 1/16" to 1/8" squaring up the edges prior to grooving and stitching. Tilt the knife to the right on the pattern moving the clip peak away from the outer boundry of the V so you will have room for at least 3/8" welt in that area, then widen the entire pattern to give you enough room for the 1/2" welt with 1/8 clearance for the blade within the welt. Regarding the width of the sheath, also consider how much room you will need for the girth on the handle to pass through the mouth of the sheath. Draw the welt into the pattern and it will become much more clear if there is going to be a problem. Take another look at the tutorial you referenced. For what it's worth this is all covered step by step in real time in the pattern making section of the "Basic Pouch Sheath" DVD.

The pattern as you have drawn it is for a left hand sheath, but I'm sure you know that.

Paul
 
Here is the redraw. Sorry about the picture quality. I tilted the blade some and the welt is 1/2" all the way around.

Butterfly_zpsdurqtzkk.jpg


Thanks for the advice Paul.

Jason
 
I think that will work a lot better for you.....but it may still be just a bit tight, but better a little tight than a little loose. Save your pattern, build the sheath and if it does not work, you know where you started and where to make further modifications. The experience you gain will stay with you and continue building as long as you make leather goods.

One of the greatest advantage of a good paper patterns that they will show mistakes or errors BEFORE they have a chance to happen.

Paul

Added for additional clarity: On the pattern, the margin between the traced blade and the inner margin of the welt should be 1/8" minimum. The 1/2" welt is then determined by that inner line. If the shape of the sheath appears odd, then aesthetic license can be taken regarding the outer margins and may result in a slightly wider welt in that area.
 
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I took about 1/16th on that gap between the blade and the start of the welt - I will redraw and adjust for that and then make it up.

Thanks so much for your time Paul!

Jason
 
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