I own a ScrapYard 4 and got really frustrated at not being able to find a sheath for it, or being told it would be at least a six month wait. One sheath maker spoke of a one year waiting list. I don't need a $100 sheath, just one that fit the knife, but this week, not next year. Here's what I did..
For a liner, a plastic milk bottle cut to fit and heated with a paint remover. The frosted plastic turns clear at the right temperature. Stop the heat and press it into shape. The plastic is hot, so you may want to wear gloves. (I often weld for fun and don't mind a little fingertip heat.)
trim off what you won't need. Note that I left a little extra plastic in one or two places, more on that later.
I took an old pull on boot and sliced off the top for my leather (the sole had a hole in it and it was heading to the trash anyway). I cut out a rectangle more than big enough and a small rectangular strip for the belt loop. I sewed the belt loop on to what would be the back of the sheath, then doubled it down to make the bottom of the belt loop. I used a standard "speedy stitcher" hand sewing awl, the kind that comes with thread and costs about $13 online. I used the lock stitch shown in the "Speedy Stitcher" instructions. I did not pre-drill or mark any holes, and my sewing is horribly crooked. [First time sewing in 40 years, what do you want from a beginner?] I did a second set of stitches more or less parallel to the first. No particular reason, I just like the look of double stitching. I next folded the leather over the plastic liner and did one or two quick lock stitches through both the leather and the little bit of the surplus plastic at the belly of the blade. This locks the liner in place and also gives the primary dimensions of the sheath. I allowed about 1/4 inch for a stitch line and trimmed the surplus with a pair of scissors. I next sewed the edge of the fold with two lines of lock stitch stitching. Voila.
The molded plastic fit snugly holds the knife in even when upside down and shaken. It also protects the thread. Even so, if I was doing it again I probably would make the back of the sheath or the loop a half inch higher and put a diagonal retaining snap over/around the handle. I have been wearing the knife on my belt in this sheath at work for about a week now. No problems observed beyond a tendency for playful coworkers to lift it out with a quick tug (hence the wish for a retaining strap next time). I acknowledge the ugliness, but to me it is very functional and much better than waiting a year and spending over $70 for the privilege of the wait. Total cost, about $3 (or less) of thread, an old boot about to be thrown away anyway, and a used milk bottle. I already had the sewing awl sitting in a box unused. Total time, about 3 or 4 hours while watching television.
Here is the belt loop side.
For a liner, a plastic milk bottle cut to fit and heated with a paint remover. The frosted plastic turns clear at the right temperature. Stop the heat and press it into shape. The plastic is hot, so you may want to wear gloves. (I often weld for fun and don't mind a little fingertip heat.)
trim off what you won't need. Note that I left a little extra plastic in one or two places, more on that later.
I took an old pull on boot and sliced off the top for my leather (the sole had a hole in it and it was heading to the trash anyway). I cut out a rectangle more than big enough and a small rectangular strip for the belt loop. I sewed the belt loop on to what would be the back of the sheath, then doubled it down to make the bottom of the belt loop. I used a standard "speedy stitcher" hand sewing awl, the kind that comes with thread and costs about $13 online. I used the lock stitch shown in the "Speedy Stitcher" instructions. I did not pre-drill or mark any holes, and my sewing is horribly crooked. [First time sewing in 40 years, what do you want from a beginner?] I did a second set of stitches more or less parallel to the first. No particular reason, I just like the look of double stitching. I next folded the leather over the plastic liner and did one or two quick lock stitches through both the leather and the little bit of the surplus plastic at the belly of the blade. This locks the liner in place and also gives the primary dimensions of the sheath. I allowed about 1/4 inch for a stitch line and trimmed the surplus with a pair of scissors. I next sewed the edge of the fold with two lines of lock stitch stitching. Voila.
The molded plastic fit snugly holds the knife in even when upside down and shaken. It also protects the thread. Even so, if I was doing it again I probably would make the back of the sheath or the loop a half inch higher and put a diagonal retaining snap over/around the handle. I have been wearing the knife on my belt in this sheath at work for about a week now. No problems observed beyond a tendency for playful coworkers to lift it out with a quick tug (hence the wish for a retaining strap next time). I acknowledge the ugliness, but to me it is very functional and much better than waiting a year and spending over $70 for the privilege of the wait. Total cost, about $3 (or less) of thread, an old boot about to be thrown away anyway, and a used milk bottle. I already had the sewing awl sitting in a box unused. Total time, about 3 or 4 hours while watching television.
Here is the belt loop side.
