What to say about Omega leather, hmm....
Well let me just start by saying I noticed a Pismo beach thread started in the Fiddleback Forge sub forum. In the thread Anthony (owner of Omega Leather) showed off his cobra skin sheath that he made for his Fiddleback Karda. I was instantly impressed. The way it was designed and cut gives it almost a movement effect that makes me think the knife in that sheath is very nimble and fast. I said to myself, I have to have one of these!!! So I commissioned Anthony to make me a cobra skin sheath just like his, but for my Bushboot.
Anthony did what every responsible craftsman should do, he warned me that his Karda sheath is an overlay sheath and that cobra skin isn't ideal for overlay. He recommended I go with a underlay sheath. Meaning the cobra skin would still be there, but it would be framed by an outer layer of leather rendering it more durable, but changing the look significantly. I took his advice into consideration, but explained that "I understand the sheath would be more durable but IMO it just isn't as cool looking and that this was going to be my 'steak house' sheath not a worker sheath". So we went with the overlay.
I knew going into this, that I would have to ship my knife to him, and I did. Anthony PM'd me the day it came in and said that it arrived safe and sound. This to me was awesome. Peace of mind is always nice. I hate shipping blades and never hearing that they arrived safely.
Anthony also sent me progress reports with pics. He also made some recommendations towards dye colors that might compliment the Cobra skin. All in all, he kept an open line of communication with me through out the process. If he thought of something, he relayed his thoughts to me for my approval. I really appreciate that. I've had craftsman make executive decisions for me and they didn't work out too well.
The fit and finish of this sheath is awesome. The layers of leather feel like one thick, smooth piece of leather. I'm not a big fan of the business end or bevel of a blade touching or rubbing against a leather sheath. It dulls the blades, it takes away from the life of the sheath and it could rust a high carbon bevel if stored in the sheath for an extended period of time. I know, a lot of it depends on how you insert the blade into the sheath. But I've had sheaths that no matter how hard you tried, the blade touching/cutting into the leather was inevitable. Just a narrow sheath design I guess. I do not have this problem with this sheath. My Bushboot fits the sheath like a glove, but the sheath still has ample room so that the blade doesn't come in contact with the stitched portions of the leather.
He also left the inside of the sheath dye free. For those of you that like white, bone, or natural micartas you know that dye on the inside of a sheath will dye the tip of your scales. I know, that's a small little detail, but it's the small details that separate a custom sheath and a production sheath. It's why I choose to pay more.
The whole process was a positive one. Anthony pays very close attention to detail. He delivered an exceptional sheath on time and his communication through out the process was outstanding. Not only would I go with Omega Leather again, I would recommend him to other knife enthusiasts.
Good job Anthony!!
Enough talk, on with the pictures... These pics do not do this piece justice.
Well let me just start by saying I noticed a Pismo beach thread started in the Fiddleback Forge sub forum. In the thread Anthony (owner of Omega Leather) showed off his cobra skin sheath that he made for his Fiddleback Karda. I was instantly impressed. The way it was designed and cut gives it almost a movement effect that makes me think the knife in that sheath is very nimble and fast. I said to myself, I have to have one of these!!! So I commissioned Anthony to make me a cobra skin sheath just like his, but for my Bushboot.
Anthony did what every responsible craftsman should do, he warned me that his Karda sheath is an overlay sheath and that cobra skin isn't ideal for overlay. He recommended I go with a underlay sheath. Meaning the cobra skin would still be there, but it would be framed by an outer layer of leather rendering it more durable, but changing the look significantly. I took his advice into consideration, but explained that "I understand the sheath would be more durable but IMO it just isn't as cool looking and that this was going to be my 'steak house' sheath not a worker sheath". So we went with the overlay.
I knew going into this, that I would have to ship my knife to him, and I did. Anthony PM'd me the day it came in and said that it arrived safe and sound. This to me was awesome. Peace of mind is always nice. I hate shipping blades and never hearing that they arrived safely.
Anthony also sent me progress reports with pics. He also made some recommendations towards dye colors that might compliment the Cobra skin. All in all, he kept an open line of communication with me through out the process. If he thought of something, he relayed his thoughts to me for my approval. I really appreciate that. I've had craftsman make executive decisions for me and they didn't work out too well.
The fit and finish of this sheath is awesome. The layers of leather feel like one thick, smooth piece of leather. I'm not a big fan of the business end or bevel of a blade touching or rubbing against a leather sheath. It dulls the blades, it takes away from the life of the sheath and it could rust a high carbon bevel if stored in the sheath for an extended period of time. I know, a lot of it depends on how you insert the blade into the sheath. But I've had sheaths that no matter how hard you tried, the blade touching/cutting into the leather was inevitable. Just a narrow sheath design I guess. I do not have this problem with this sheath. My Bushboot fits the sheath like a glove, but the sheath still has ample room so that the blade doesn't come in contact with the stitched portions of the leather.
He also left the inside of the sheath dye free. For those of you that like white, bone, or natural micartas you know that dye on the inside of a sheath will dye the tip of your scales. I know, that's a small little detail, but it's the small details that separate a custom sheath and a production sheath. It's why I choose to pay more.
The whole process was a positive one. Anthony pays very close attention to detail. He delivered an exceptional sheath on time and his communication through out the process was outstanding. Not only would I go with Omega Leather again, I would recommend him to other knife enthusiasts.
Good job Anthony!!
Enough talk, on with the pictures... These pics do not do this piece justice.
