Finally Found a Local Sheath Maker

[leghog]

Have been looking for a local sheath maker who wouldn't charge an arm and a leg for a sheath. Hit the furriers/saddle makers, but they just didn't seem interested. Found a guy on line who says his machine can stitch anything. Sent him pics of what I wanted, but he responded that his machine could handle neither the thread nor the leather. Later found out he simply sews patches on bikers' jackets and vest.

Finally took the knife into a cobbler's shop with some pics from online of the style I wanted. The old shop keeper called his boss, the shop's owner, who said sure, take it in. Left the knife and pics. Friday I returned and picked up the knife and sheath from a young man who is the shop owner's son and who made the sheath. He said he really liked doing it - change of pace. Told him I'd have more work for him.

I picked up this Krag Bayonet which had been cut down to a fighting knife sometime long ago. Had no sheath. Probably disintegrated decades ago. Wanted a sheath that would have been in the style it likely had when it was cut down. I believe the young sheath maker nailed it. I'm happy with it.

I think I'll next get him to make a Kephart sheath - a copy of the one Horace Kephart used for his belt knife.

 

[Ernie1980]

Nice discovery! I asked several local places about making pocket slips and finally had to give up because I was not getting anywhere. Glad you had better luck than I did

 

[Jsega51]

Hey, doesn’t look bad to my eyes for something he probably has never really tried before. Valiant effort to get the style and put the pieces together.

Here’s an idea, Paul Long has a video series on DVD about sheath making where he shows you exactly how he does it. No gimmicks, just straight forward how to. Not sure of the cost but it may make a nice tip for doing the work. He could turn into a really skilled sheathmaker...and as you found out in your search, it can be a really good side gig. You’ll be given the hookup also lol.

 

[Old Biker]

Nice discovery! I asked several local places about making pocket slips and finally had to give up because I was not getting anywhere. Glad you had better luck than I did

Make one yourself. It's not difficult. There is a tutorial sticky, with links to tutorial threads, in the Sheaths and such sub-forum. Read the threads. Ask questions if you need to.

O.B.

 

[John A. Larsen]

Back in 1970 I got a Steve Morseth 7 inch fighter with double lug guards. I did not like the Safety Sheath it came with as the knife rattled in it. I was on Okinawa and went to a shoe repair shop and told the man what I wanted, and he made me a sheath diagonal retention strap, a Norwegian type flap that went over the butt, and a long pouch for a Gerber sharpening steel. I still have the sheath and it is still good to go. John