First Pocket Sheath - from scratch

[qncygnnr]

Here are pictures of my first "scratch built" pocket sheath. A tremendous learning experience - did some things better than expected ... others, not so much. Carried it all day Saturday & Sunday to see if it wants to fall sideways in my front pocket. It does not if it's all the way to the front or the back of the pocket. That part is satisfactory. Using veg tan leather and clothing leather presented it's own set of challenges. The next project will incorporate the improved techniques ... using the same materials. The "U" shaped internal piece is very hard leather scrap purchased for a local boot repair shop and the garment leather is from a Tandy Leather pack from Hobby Lobby. My Project Name for this is the "Garcia v1"

 

[leatherman]

Half the battle is just getting that first one done, you did it.

IMHO, you don't need the rivets, but they do look nice.

Project one out of the way, onward and forward! Well done.

 

[qncygnnr]

Thanks Leatherman.

I agree that the rivets were unnecessary insurance - I was concerned that the outer layers would be pulled too tight against the knife and stress the stitching at the top corners but this garment leather has so much stretch that it's not an issue. The bottom rivets were an "artistic" touch (because my corner stitching was not as smoothly radiused as I'd hoped for) that won't be on the Garcia v2. Garcia v2 may even do away with the top rivets if I can hand stitch two rows neatly next to each other for strain relief at the top corners (like my Rayban Pocket Special). Another iteration would be to use grommets rather than rivets so that this could also be used a neck sheath.

Scott D

 

[filedog]

Thanks for posting that. I've been thinking on something like that myself, ie using a thicker piece in the center,
with thinner "covers". My idea is for a larger width/possible rounded bottom, to fit better in the pocket.
What are your thoughts on the width? Are you going to stick with the same dimensions?

 

[rayban]

Nice going Scott....you're off and running now.
I like your idea of the grommets and the necker option.

 

[qncygnnr]

Filedog,
Garcia v2 will have roughly the same dimensions and use the same materials - with more emphasis on execution and better matching of the stitching around the corners. I used the Tandy "embossing/overstitch" spacer wheel to set the pitch of my stitches - any slip in attention causes the corners to not meet in proper alignment. Running the wheel twice over the same area was also problematic because of a tendency to create a "double vision" embossed effect that confuses the exact location for the stitch. I may invest in a "four in one" punch to help with hole alignment for Garcia v3 if v2 is still not satisfactory...

The garment leather outer layers grip the pocket material well - if this pouch is pushed in the corner of the pocket it does not shift so I don't believe it needs to be wider, and rounding the bottom edge may incline it to tip over in the pocket. As Rayban said to me (a paraphrase) just start sewing leather together and the creativity will start. He was absolutely correct - I've got more ideas than I can even get to now for tweaks and designs. Try your design ideas - make a sheath and test drive it. You'll figure out what you like and what works for you. The leather crafting professionals on this formum are very helpful and bring years of experience and success to the table.

Scott D

 

[qncygnnr]

It's hard to see in the pictures but the detail that came together the best was "skiving" the flesh side of the outer layers and folding it over and stitching it together first to make re-inforced edges at the openings to "strengthen" the very thin leather that is not sewn to the inner layer.

 

[leatherman]

Listening and learning, and your thinking, a wonderful start in the craft. Keep it up!

 

[stitchawl]

Making the sheath with the flesh side out will keep it stationary no matter where you put it in your pocket. The rougher surface really grips the pocket material so the sheath won't even move when you draw out the knife.


Stitchawl