Extreme Wetforming

[Martin Swinkels]

One of my customers is very interested in this design
http://www.grahamknives.com/sheaths.htm
and I thought I'd give it a try.. It's an interesting process.

Here some pics, 12 hours after wetforming, and still drying up..
pics are a bit crappy, but you'll get the idea..

The original design doesn't use a welt. I'm very curious how this will turn out.. :foot:

I'll post more along the way..

Thanks!
martin

 

[Swivelknife]

It has been my experience that you will return to the use of the welted edge---with good reason. Sandy

 

[Mike Carter Custom Knives]

Isn't the guard going to present a problem drawing the knife?

 

[Martin Swinkels]

It has been my experience that you will return to the use of the welted edge---with good reason. Sandy

I'm sure of that Sandy. But it's fun to see how it goes.. And I can always use some rivets right? ..

I don't think the guard will be a problem. The stitching won't be tight as I'm used too, so that will create some room for drawing and resheating..


Let's see how it turns out .. It will LOOK good for sure.
(+ I will deliver a back-up sheath with a kydex liner for real life use.)
In the meantime I'm happy that I massaged this piece of halftanned into what it is now..

 

[trestle]

Looks good Martin :thumbup:

 

[xaman]

i think you're right --- it will look really cool.

but it sure seems like a guy would have to be VERY careful inserting the blade so as not to puncture the eather with the tip... Maybe it'll be alright with the heavy drop point on that blade? I sure wouldn't try it with a trailing point!

looking forward to seeing the finished project.

 

[ilbruche]

Seems to me you'd end up cutting the sheath with it molded like that. Maybe slip one of your kydex liners in there.

Looks like where the handle and choil are thinner than the blade you're gonna cut right through it. Looks cool though.

 

[Martin Swinkels]

I decided to do a welt anyway.


made it from lappleather, which is thin and tough, and cut a slot in the topside to keep a tight fit around the blade.

after some 'dry' fitting found out this works best

The result:

Ýou should take care when drawing and inserting the knife. But once inside it sits safe and tight. With the flat back I think this is a nice design to sheath a desktop letteropener in..


This is the other one I did for the same knife, It has a kydex insert

Thanks
martin

 

[trestle]

That looks excellent, Martin, fine work as always. :thumbup:

I think she will really like it.

 

[Cam101]

Great work! Will you be offering the "new" model for regular sale?

Oh, and another thing. Is the retention strap needed on that sheath? If not, is it removable?

Thanks.

 

[Martin Swinkels]

Great work! Will you be offering the "new" model for regular sale?

Oh, and another thing. Is the retention strap needed on that sheath? If not, is it removable?

Thanks.

I can make it if you want me too, it has some limitations, but I have no problem building them.
The other sheath is a far better user though. The strap can be folded out of the way both ways, and secured by the stud. You can also let just hang loose.

it revolves freely, and has a bronze washer

You'll find some pics in my blog or in my Ratweiler and Howler thread on this very forum.. It works the same. I can also just leave it away, and take the leather a bit higher up like my 3-finger Bushcraft.

 

[cjpgeyer]

Nice sheaths! Having a kydex liner is a great idea :thumbup:

 

[Swivelknife]

Martin, both of those sheaths are worthy of a very hearty. "Well, done!!!" Not only do you and I share the same given name, we also seem to share the same passion!-----------

Martin "Sandy" Morrissey