Do you make a sheath for every knife?

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
Like many of you, I do this as an hobby so time is limited.
I don't hate making sheaths per say but I much prefer making knives and that's what I want to improve on. But if I make sheaths for every knives that's time taken away from knifemaking.
Another way to look at it is: Is it better to be known for making average knives and average sheaths or great knives and no sheaths? If that makes any sense. :confused:

What's your take on this?
 
Great knives and great sheaths. Not a whole lot in that category. That's why I'd like to get there one day. I like knives better, but do find leatherwork enjoyable.

I do make sheaths for every knife I sell, except for folders. But that's precious few just yet.

I know what you're talking about, though. I was just thinking today that when I sell that chopper I'm working on, I may not offer a sheath. Gotta make money quicker than that. Or I might offer to make a basic sheath for it on request, but not already have one made.

Leather tooling stamps are kinda pricey, I wish I could afford a good set of them.
 
Pat, I know what you are saying. Some makers are using zippered pouches and boxes to send there knives out in.

My philosophy is a great knife deserves a great sheath. I feel the sheath is an extension of the personality :eek: of each knife! I rarely let a knife go out without a sheath unless that is what the customer wants! With all of my knives I hope that they are going to be actually used and therefore I want the customer to have a way to carry them, should they choose to. I figure if the want to display them then they have the responsibility to find something to do that!

It kinda like a naked woman. “A naked knife or a naked woman, sooner or later, there are both going to be trouble”! :D
 
Last edited:
I'm fine if a sheath doesn't come with the knife. Would ask the maker to mail it to a sheath maker for me though just to save on shipping it to me then me shipping it back out.
 
Patrice Lemée;9198718 said:
Is it better to be known for making average knives and average sheaths or great knives and no sheaths? If that makes any sense. :confused:

What's your take on this?
Click to expand...

Well, I'm not known for making average knives or average sheaths. As a matter of fact, I'm not known at all.

I do, however, make a sheath for every knife unless the customer states he does not want a sheath.

I consider a sheath as an important part of the total package, even though the knife may be destined to be put away in a drawer and never used.

Robert
 
If you make user knives then the sheath is nearly as important as the knife, IMO. One fact of my life is that knives that don't carry well sit on the shelf and don't get used. I don't want that to happen to all the knives I make.
 
I agree with what's been said above.

However, if you want to devote more time to your knives and less to sheaths, you can always get some of the premades from places like Texas Knife Supply. They have several different designs to accommodate many knives. Just wetform, dye, and finish.
 
Patrice.
I make a sheath for every knife I make. I don't make a lot of knives, I enjoy the difference in building a sheath, its quieter. I can stitch and watch TV with the wife, warmer in basement too. If you get an order for a knife and the customer wants a presentation stand, I would also provide a sheath. Some thing nice and plain, just for transporting the knife.


Hope this helps.

Frank
 
IMO a fixed blade knife without a sheath is an incomplete knife. I have built a sheath for every knife I have sold. My sheaths (or knives) are not perfect, but I try to build everyone better then the last. Now if a customer asked, I build them a knife without a sheath. Then if said customer like my knife enough to have a sheath made by Paul Long for it, I would be honored.

James
 
Robert Dark said:
Well, I'm not known for making average knives or average sheaths. As a matter of fact, I'm not known at all.

Oh Please, don't sell yourself short. I always enjoy looking at your work!

As for the sheaths, the very first show I did I had no sheaths. A guy came to my table and said "no sheaths, no sales" and he was right, didn't sell a thing. Since then I make one for every knife that I make. Moon
Click to expand...
 
Patrice, if I sell a fixed blade to a customer, I make a sheath for it. I try to make my sheaths very functional in form so that they can be worn for every-day use. That's the reason I go through the extra hassle of making sheaths with spring clips rather than belt loops. There are many times when I don't wear a belt, and I'd hate to be limited in carrying at those times.

I will say that I've gotten faster at leather work, and I enjoy it more now that I once did. However, it still often feels like "something more" that I have to do.

That being said, I don't see anything wrong with selling a knife without a sheath. If it's a deal breaker for the buyer, then they won't buy the knife. Others don't mind or will have a sheath made to their specs. If it sells, then it can't be wrong :).

--nathan
 
I hear what you are saying. I also think that a knife needs a sheath, especially if it is a "user". I think I would like working on a stand better. Don't know why? Maybe closer to knife work and similar artistic possibilities.
Not a black and white question for sure.

Thanks for your great input, as always! :thumbup:
 
Hi Patrice

from experience, i find if you sell a knife without a sheath... it'll stay that way... ... i usto do that but when you ask about that knife couple years later... they still don't have a case for the knife and it sits in a drawer.. in my opinion that is a sad fate for custom knife..

is there a leather guild in the area... sometimes you can find someone that will make them quickly for decent price ... like 30 to 50 bucks ( i'm talking about just a plane Jane case... no fancy )
 
ohen cepel said:
I'm fine if a sheath doesn't come with the knife. Would ask the maker to mail it to a sheath maker for me though just to save on shipping it to me then me shipping it back out.
Click to expand...

I wish everyone felt that way. I have no interest at all in leatherwork.

Patrice, there was a similar thread not long ago, I'll try to find the link for you.

EDIT: here you go. The thread includes several links to good sheaths and sheathmakers. :thumbup:
 
Last edited:
All good advice above.

I dont even sharpen a knife unless it has a sheath to go into afterward. Some bowies and daggers are an exception but they have a zippered pouch for shipping and storage. Collectors dont always want a sheath because they cant store a piece in the sheath and the sheaths gets put into a box and mixed up.

Metal dust and leather work do not go together unless you're going to dye every sheath black so you will need another room for sheath making. Buying the correct leather, glues, thread, needles and other tools to make a respectable sheath is a real committment on the pocket book. Even if you make a near perfect sheath it may not be a nice as Paul Long makes for about $120. He has a nice sewing machine and can make a few sheaths per day. Collectors like his work.

If you make a sheath for your own knife I suggest marking it with your makers mark. Have a leather stamp made and use it. The collectable knives of old are worth twice as much if they have the original sheath.
 
Thanks Bruce. I do have the basic stuff to make sheaths and will do for my personal "user" knives. I will have to make some I'm afraid as I have yet to sell one knife much less to a collector or someone who would have a sheath made for it in this price range. But how yo do it is something to shoot for and a way of doing things that I think would like best.

I do have a couple of leather stamps with my name and maker's mark. Bought them from Denis Paish here on BF.

PS: Of course this is a long shot, not saying that I have any hope of making such nice stuff as yours.
 
With the exception of maybe art knives*, in my opinion it is better to make average knives with average sheaths then great knives with no sheath. No matter how great a knife is, what use is it without a way to carry it?

*Now art/collectible knives might be an exception as they don't necessarily need sheaths. Otherwise, I consider it to be part of the trade.
 
See Bladeful, making average knives is not something I want to shoot for. Does that mean that I should try for the collector/art side?
Of course my chances of making in that niche are much lower. :( But since I am doing this for fun, it is not really important if I get there or not. I'll still do sheaths for basic "user" I guess.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top