Fairly new to sheath making..here are a couple I'm working on.

NixKustoms

NixKustoms

Sheath and Knife Maker
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
5,883
So like I said I'm new to making sheaths. So far I've made 2 crap sheaths, one decent sheath that was awesome off the belt, and 2 (what I think) are pretty good. I just wanted to post up a couple pix of my in progress sheaths so that you, the pros, can tell me what you think so far. The last pic had the other two sheaths that I made that I'm very happy with. With these ones I'm making now I'm hoping they turn out even better still, and I think I'm on track to doing that.

I really want to start selling them but I just don't know if they would have appeal to people, and I'm limited to what knives I have. A question for you is, do you think that I should upgrade my account to start selling what I make? Do you think that I'm even good enough to have people want what I can offer?

Thanks guys. I look forward to your input, both good and bad.

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I wouldn't call those crap. Do you have a belt grinder? If so, use something like 200grit to blend the edges together and polish.
 
Thanks guys.

I don't have a belt sander but I do have a large disk sander. Would that work?

Those aren't the crap ones. I really don't want to post those for all to see. They are really bad IMO.
 
A disk sander will do.
 
I finished the drop sheath today. What do ya think?

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I worked on the other sheath (it's a horizontal carry sheath) and I don't like how the straps turned out so I will be working on that again soon. No pix of it though.
 
MyWifeThinksImCrazy said:
I finished the drop sheath today. What do ya think?

DSC07478.jpg


DSC07476.jpg


I worked on the other sheath (it's a horizontal carry sheath) and I don't like how the straps turned out so I will be working on that again soon. No pix of it though.
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Looks nice! The only thing I would have done different is more form fit the top to the knife. Kinda looks like you just put a big block in there to water form the top part. I dont want to sound mean or anything. Just some friendly advice. :thumbup:
 
Thanks you. I do need to be criticized also. I won't get better if everyone says nice work.

I understand what you're saying, but I like how it is. Though I could/should do that if/when I make a smaller section for the handle of the knife to help with retention.
 
Nice progression.

You don't need a belt grinder to burnish the edges - you just need some smooth heat/pressure.

I routinely burnish the edges of holsters with a large round cotter pin (the solid kind). Just press a bit and rub back and forth quickly. If you have something with a concave curve it will work even better. You can also find something smooth to chuck into your drill press or hand drill to serve the same purpose. A little beeswax dressing on the edges doesn't hurt either, but do it *after* the dye...

Dye, burnish, sheen (if you want more stiffness).
IMO anything dyed on the outside should also be dyed on the inside, or it looks half-done.

You might look into heavier thread - I started with a light nylon that I waxed myself, and then went to the pre-waxed stuff that Tandy sells. It was quite a bit better. A local cobbler might give/sell you a sample of something similar too.

I'd also bevel the ends of your straps because I think square-cut panels look odd on curvy things.

I went through the same learning process a couple years ago and had a great time.
It's chronicled over in the projects section at rugerforum.net.

Lots of other people got excited about it too, and there's all sorts of good inspiration on that thread where everybody started posting their work.
Keep posting pictures!

-Daizee
 
MyWifeThinksImCrazy said:
Thanks you. I do need to be criticized also. I won't get better if everyone says nice work.

I understand what you're saying, but I like how it is. Though I could/should do that if/when I make a smaller section for the handle of the knife to help with retention.
Click to expand...
:D:thumbup: Glad you understand and yeah I'm big on no movement and retention cause it will kill a razor sharp blade over time.

On the other hand your stiching looks REALLY NICE!
 
Goose_52 said:
Nice work man! You are getting better with each sheath.
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Thanks Goose. It's encouraging to hear that from someone who makes sheaths like you do.

handamerican said:
Looks like they're coming along nicely - good casing & color. Keep at it, it gets better.
Keith
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Thanks!!

daizee said:
Nice progression.

You don't need a belt grinder to burnish the edges - you just need some smooth heat/pressure.

I routinely burnish the edges of holsters with a large round cotter pin (the solid kind). Just press a bit and rub back and forth quickly. If you have something with a concave curve it will work even better. You can also find something smooth to chuck into your drill press or hand drill to serve the same purpose. A little beeswax dressing on the edges doesn't hurt either, but do it *after* the dye...

Dye, burnish, sheen (if you want more stiffness).
IMO anything dyed on the outside should also be dyed on the inside, or it looks half-done.

You might look into heavier thread - I started with a light nylon that I waxed myself, and then went to the pre-waxed stuff that Tandy sells. It was quite a bit better. A local cobbler might give/sell you a sample of something similar too.

I'd also bevel the ends of your straps because I think square-cut panels look odd on curvy things.

I went through the same learning process a couple years ago and had a great time.
It's chronicled over in the projects section at rugerforum.net.

Lots of other people got excited about it too, and there's all sorts of good inspiration on that thread where everybody started posting their work.
Keep posting pictures!

-Daizee
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the pointers Daizee :thumbup: I will start to try the techniques you're talking about. The thread I'm using is actually the waxed nylon from tandy. I thought it was pretty heavy unless it just looks smaller in the pix.

cbr900son said:
:D:thumbup: Glad you understand and yeah I'm big on no movement and retention cause it will kill a razor sharp blade over time.

On the other hand your stiching looks REALLY NICE!
Click to expand...

I understand what you're saying. That is why I try to make it so the edge is tight against the leather piece in the sheath. My stitching is ok. I wouldn't go as far as saying really nice, but I guess it could be called that because it isn't done with one of those stitch roller things that space out all the holes perfect for ya. I guess I can be my worts critic. :) Regardless though, Thank you.
 
You did a nice job of bunishing the lower 1/2 of the sheath. Do it all the way up and burnish the top all the way around. This will give you a more finished look These will become a automatic as you do more. At todays standards I,m a newbe also. Only did it for 5 years Still learning. I made the gater holster you posted on.Your work look quite nice. KT
 
byoffcr said:
You did a nice job of bunishing the lower 1/2 of the sheath. Do it all the way up and burnish the top all the way around. This will give you a more finished look These will become a automatic as you do more. At todays standards I,m a newbe also. Only did it for 5 years Still learning. I made the gater holster you posted on.Your work look quite nice. KT
Click to expand...

Thanks, but my burnishing is just a polish. I do need to figure out how to properly burnish though. You're still new at 5 years? You fooled me. I think your work is incredible.

Dusty One said:
Works for me......Nice job !
Click to expand...

Thanks!!!
 
Hey guys. Quick update on the horizontal carry sheath. I had straps made for it but I didn't like how they sat and I trimmed them a little too much on one side. So I decided to go with some black on it. I'm out of snaps right now. I might pick up some more today. Anyway here it is for now.

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Ok so I changed my mind on what I'm doing for the straps on that sheath. I decided to just wrap one solid piece of leather around for each strap instead of two separate pieces. I'll take a pic of it later.
 
I forgot to post up pictures of the finished product.

So here it is. I'm happy with how it turned out. I tried dyeing it with coffee, and then I water proofed it with shoe grease which also darkened it a bit more (which apparently didn't work that great. the specks on the sheath are water spots hahahaha). I'll figure it all out eventually. :D

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2 things I can point out. Very minor and won't affect the overall functionality of the sheath as they are mainly for aesthetics.

1. Edges - I would would bevel the edges of the straps and keepers using an edge beveling tool. You can then use tragacanth gum on the beveled edge to polish them up using a nylon boning tool.

2. Your dangler looks too dangly. I would make your belt loop a little more substantial to avoid it sliding on the belt. The top of the belt loop should be as wide as the sheath itself. You can then angle the bottom to fit the D-ring (I use round rings).
 
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