Do you include a sheath with a sale?

i have two people that do my shealth work. to me a shealth is like a tight fitting dress on a pretty lady! thats of course if it fits well. i like to do steel and wood and the guys that do my leather work are great! it really will sell your knives.
 
Gentlemen, whether I am making a knife to take to a show or for a order, total package is the keyword here. I enjoy making sheaths and I beleive it shows in my work. I make my sheaths with top notch materials as I do my knives. Knives and sheaths go together and in most instances should compliment each other, total package.
KEN (WWJD)
 
I remember the day I was promoted to Journeyman knifemaker by my teacher and step-dad, Bob Ogg. He told me that when I could make a sheath worthy of my knives I will have 'arrived'. Man, how he hated to make sheaths! Well, that was almost 5 years ago and I still have a long way to go before I 'arrive' anywhere.

I seldom send out a knife without a sheath. A fixed blade knife just needs to have a sheath. The only exception (for me)is when the knife will just be for display. And I rarely do that kind of work. And if the customer just absolutely doesn't want a sheath that's fine with me. My work is centered around utility and toughness. My leather work isn't shoddy, but it isn't what you could call breathtakingly beautiful either. It reflects the same care I put into each knife. I make sheaths to fit the knives in every way. So, it's not difficult to see that the knife and sheath were made by the same maker. And you can tell that the sheath was made for a specific purpose. Same as the knife.

I don't absolutely love to make sheaths but I do like working with leather. So it works out for me. And I'm beginning to understand what Bob meant with his comment about 'arriving'. I put alot of work into each knife I make. Some folks call me slow but I like to think of it as being 'careful'. The sheath needs no less attention than the knife so I wind up putting my heart into both the knife and sheath equally. Yeah, it's a package deal for me alright. A knife without a sheath is just a play pretty. And as far as sending out a knife for the sheath work I just don't see it. Any knifemaker has the creative ability to make sheaths. Sure it takes patience, but in the end it's worth it. And don't flame me. I didn't ask the question after all. He he.
 
Tracy, my friend----received the tanto and Bowie today and will get them back to you as a complete "package" as soon as I can. I assume that they are both needing right-handed sheaths? Sandy
 
Right handed. Forgot to mention that.
Sandy, I always include a letter with my knives that explains how they are made as most of mine go to people that have no idea how they are constructed. I'd like to get a paragraph 'bio' on you to include for those. Maybe you could give your self a plug here(I am sure others would be interested) or I can call some time?
 
Hi guys .... I have to agree that each knife should be sold/given with a good quality sheath. I can't believe you would want your hard work and craftsmanship displayed in crappy sheath made later by someone else. This doe not mean that the new owner can not have one of the great sheath makers that there are out there make up one of their own design after sale. Yes it can be a pain making sheaths when you would rather be grinding/forging but make it family time. Do it with the family while watching t.v. and involve them as well or engage in some good old conversation while stitching away an evening.
You will soon become as proud of your sheaths as you are of your knives.
Also a new owner of one of your blades isn't going to want to walk around a show with a naked blade in his hand or with it hidden away in a paper bag. He or she will be damn proud and want to show it off and fondle it as they walk about. This may help with your sales.

I think one of the best lines I know on this subject was in a knife mag a while back. When asked if he would make a sheath for a knife
he didn't make, a knifemaker replied..."I make knives because I like to. I make sheaths because I have to."

Kraut
 
Just read my last post and saw where I might have offended some of the Incredibly talented sheathmakers out there. By saying "a crappy sheath made by someone else", I was refering to the mass produced generic stuff that is out there. Hell if I it were not for all the customs hassles I'd be sending south of the border for Sandy Morrissy's sheaths for my knives. Then again maybe Sandy wouldn't want my average knives in his incredible sheaths.

Kraut
 
whoever makes them is unimportant....but they need to be as good or better than your knife.

if you are a legend you dont have to worry about it, but everyone else will lose sales by not having them as part of the product.
 
I always include a sheath with my knives. Guess I just feel it's part of the craft. I've often said I hate making sheaths but when I think about it I really don't.
The only part that I don't like about it is hand stitching them. I use 80 pound dacron and after pulling a few stitches tight it digs into your hands and fingers something fierce.
Some day I'll find a Tippman Boss that I can afford and then I'll enjoy sheath making enough that I'll probably start making them for other makers and folks.
 
Michael, get a pair of good fitting gloves, and cut the fingertips off at the first joint. It works well.
I used to wrap my fingers with masking tape, hated it, then I tried the glove thing.
I have heard from others, who have tried/owned one, that the Tippmann is overpriced, and the stitching leaves a lot to be desired.
Heck, you could buy a new grinder, or? For the price of one.:eek:
 
I make sheaths for all of my fixed blade knives, except for kitchen knives.
I only use top-class materials, leathers, threads, rivets.
I can make simple ones and fancy ones, depending on the knife.
I believe in sole authorship, so i never let do it by someone else.
It can be fun and challenging to make sheaths, especially if you include the optional rigid sheath made from wood, antler or metal.

Achim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top