Fifth in leather and first in kydex.

[CarpScot]

This is my fifth attempt at a leather sheath. I finally purchased a proper awl and a groover for my the stitching. Those two simple tools have sure made the process a lot easier for me. I dampened this sheath prior to forming instead of soaking it like I have done previously. A liberal amount of neatsfoot oil was applied after forming. The plastic feeling that I've got in the past is mostly gone and the sheath remains pliable while still holding shape well enough for good retention. Next time around I'll have to pay more attention to the exit holes of the awl on the backside of the sheath, and I'll make sure to apply the Edge Kote to thoroughly cleaned edges before I sew anything. I know I have along way to go but I'm pretty happy with the improvement between this sheath and my last attempt. Thanks to everyone for their help and support, and please don't hesitate to to offer critiques/suggestions.

The knife is a Bow Legged Belt Knife from Fiddleback.

I also made my first kydex sheath recently. It will accept a large or small tek lok, as well as a molle lok. It holds the knife nicely, but I have to figure out how to give it a bit more soul.

 

[Fiddleback]

Hey!! Those pics are awesome CS. The sheath came out FANTASTIC!!!

 

[Keith Montgomery]

They both look very well made.

 

[CarpScot]

Hey!! Those pics are awesome CS. The sheath came out FANTASTIC!!!

The pics and sheath are ok. It is the knife that is fantastic.

 

[SBranson]

Nice work on both sheaths. I wondered about the shape of the leather one until I saw the knife.

They look like they have great retention.

... and I'll make sure to apply the Edge Kote to thoroughly cleaned edges before I sew anything.

Only issue I have had with finishing edges before sewing is that the compression caused by the sewing can push the layers around and suddenly you have to finish the edges again.

Keep up the good work.:thumbup:

 

[leatherman]

Nifty little sheath! I like the belt loop as well.

Mr Branson's got it on the edges, you really do want to wait on that final finish until the stitching is done.

Edge Kote, ick. That gooey stuff is nasty. Try some Gum Tragacanth when you get the chance, used sparingly its the best stuff for finishing edges. I tried it when Chuck and Paul recommended it back in the stone ages and havent looked back once since.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Branson is right. Finish your stitching - let it dry over night - then finish - you will be stunned on the difference.

Also - to give your leather a little more soul - you can do simply things like wet forming and then using a bone folder to trace the handles (Raga does a GREAT job at this). Or just chase the opening with your stitch groover and then run the bone folder over it.

It just adds simply little details to make it look less like a block of leather. But I think she looks damned nice! The rest is just doing a bunch more until you figure out the little mistakes you made.

TF

 

[CarpScot]

Only issue I have had with finishing edges before sewing is that the compression caused by the sewing can push the layers around and suddenly you have to finish the edges again.

It was the edges of the belt loop that I trouble dying without transfer, so perhaps I should dye just the part of the belt loop that I won't be able to access after I sew it down.

Try some Gum Tragacanth when you get the chance, used sparingly its the best stuff for finishing edges.

I had never heard of it before I looked it up just now. I'll see about sourcing some so that I can give it a try. :thumbup:

Talfuchre,
Thank you for the advice. I will take it into account next go-around.