Aw, now you guys got me blushing! Thanks for the heaps of compliments and feedback.
Professor, I didn't know of any Tandy Leathers in the area, but I'll have to look. Thanks for the tip.
I didn't wet-mold. I actually started out with a regular chunk of 1/16" thick or so leather. I cut the belt loop first rounded the edges using a nickel as a template, then cut a slot for the loop in the pouch piece, trying to center it by eye where i thought it would wind up.
The sheath is all hand-stitched. I consider this sheath my first real success and attribute it to lots of layout work beforehand - sort of 'measure twice and cut once."
I'll try to describe the process.
I first marked a line for the holes for stitching the belt loop on the loop itself with a fine Sharpie pen, sort of by eye and when I thought they looked OK, punched them.
I set the first end of the loop inside the sheath to stitch. I can't remember if I glued it, but I used the holes in the loop as a template to poke holes in the sheath itself. Then I stitched the loop to the inside of the sheath with 2 large needles and wax string.
Next, I used a 1/8" thick piece of leather and traced the contour of the blade for the "insert" piece. The pouch would eventually be built around that. The insert was gauged and marked about every 1/4" along a center line. Then the holes were hand-punched. I thought of making a jig, but gambled that it would look OK. (Actually, I just got lazy.
Then I glued the insert to one side of the pouch, punched holes for that side, then folded the pouch, glued and punched again. The stitching was done by hand with waxed string and 2 large needles.
Then I cut the final form and sanded off the edges, by hand again.
When I first put the knife in, I pushed it in "to make a nug fit," and promptly cut the wax string at the bottom loop!
So I stitched it again. Any ideas on preventing that from re-occurring?
I plan to put up a DIY/how-to on my website with pictures, some day. This text is a good start.
Jeffj, it rides a little high on the hip, but I'm pretty comfortable with it. Next time, I may make a lower-riding one. It's a good suggestion, that I'll likely take on my next one.
Chet,
I'm with you on the wet-forming. I didn't want to risk keeping the knife in wet leather. It's stainless, but... I guess I don't know enough about how to do it.
Normark, thanks a lot. I've seen pictures of your work, and they're great, too!
Mike
