From the SKCForum Sheathmaker

textoothpk

textoothpk

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Sep 24, 2003
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Shall we keep Paul all for ourselves, or share him with the rest of BFC?

I had a project in mind for a long, long time which one sheath maker turned me down on. He just wasn't interested in anything new. I was thrilled when Paul agreed to do it for me, seemingly intrigued by the idea.

And the idea was this: I do lots of small game/Varmint hunting and I have many .22 and other rimfire firearms. Some of them are single shots, and where the hell to put the extra loose rounds? I use cartridge slides sometimes, leather dealies with ammo loops, on my belt. But when wearing a long shirttail out or a jacket, hard to get at them. So this is what I came up with. Paul felt 8 loops would be the maximum, and yeah, that works for me. And quicker than you guys could imagine, he whipped this up for me. Whatdathink? I had him make the belt loop longer, so the knife would ride lower, easier to reach beneath my jacket.

The little rounds slip out fast with a thumbnail pull, but they are very, very secure. I know from using cartridge slides in the past that the stitched loops will last a long, long time if I don't store rounds in them for a long time.

The knife I choose to have the sheath built around is the 165UH. No longer a commonplace knife, but not too valuable to use, either. Of course my 160OT also fits perfectly.

The fit, finish, tooling, stitching, all around the craftsmanship is top-notch! As I had seen from the sheaths Paul made for several of you guys. I could not be happier.

Shown here with my NEF sportsman with a .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire barrel fitted to it. I also have barrels in .22 LR and soon with have a .17M2. Also tossed in the fine Camillus Hornady knife with the .17 HRM 3-D bullet shield to round out the photo. The 165 is a bit big for small game hunting, sure, but a larger knife can be of comfort and great use afield.

All in all, I am so very happy with Paul's work. Thank you, sir!

Phil
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Beautiful sheath. Nice work. :thumbup:
 
Phil,nice sheath,just beautiful and functionable. :)
Paul,nice work! :thumbup: :D
 
Anyone who has not invested in one of Paul's custom sheaths is missing a great opportunity. I now have several and they all put production sheaths to shame! I like those loops. A great idea, and great execution. That picture shows the "pebbled" texture as well. One of those details that make his work well above par. And the dyed contrasting deerskin throat roll.

Codger
 
Thank you Codger, for elevating my work to "investment" grade in your last post. I really was facinated with this project and once I decided how to do it, it was fairly easy. I guess I will never understand the leather craftsmen who turn down a project, having never tried the procedure. The fact that I had not done it before was half of the fun of doing it, and now this style can be done for almost any calibre and on any sheath large enough to fit the required number of loops on. One last thing. Codger I emailed you a while ago about your custom hunting pouch. When ever you're ready, I'm ready to try, but I do need some detailed input.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
Thank you Codger, for elevating my work to "investment" grade in your last post.
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Paul, you are the one who has elevated your work, not me. I can make a functional sheath. I cannot make one artistically, though a lot of makers can. Few can make one that combines art and function as you do.

sheathmaker said:
I really was facinated with this project and once I decided how to do it, it was fairly easy. I guess I will never understand the leather craftsmen who turn down a project, having never tried the procedure. The fact that I had not done it before was half of the fun of doing it, and now this style can be done for almost any calibre and on any sheath large enough to fit the required number of loops on.
Click to expand...
This is what I spoke of in an earlier thread where I showed off my new sheaths. How your sheaths are true collaborations between maker and client. That you can take seemingly outlandish ideas and make them work, and still look good.

I am going to get with you shortly on the hunting pouch. There is no rush, and my plate is full between now and new year's with unexpected construction. Do you still have the design scans I sent?

Codger
 
Not long ago, in the thread reviewing the new China-made Sch**** 171UH Pro Hunter, I asked about the sheath... figuring I could buy a couple of those Taylor made knives and toss away the junk steel and delrin and keep the sheaths. The answer didn't sound very promising.

So I did a deal with our official forum sheath maker, Paul. Job one was a repair. A nice old 'signature' 171UH in original box with papers and sheath... but the sheath had had a price tag stuck on it, down low on the front and the glue had eaten through the leather over the many years this sat in a box. Paul did a terrific job of doing what he called 'foxing', and restitched the entire sheath for me. I do not think I have increased the value of the knife, and I don't think I have decreased it. I feel it is a more desirable piece now, and like any really good knife/sheath combo, it is ready to be strapped on a belt and taken out and used.

Job two was a plain sheath without a sharpening pouch for another 171UH, a for real 'user' knife, the carbon steel heavily pitted, but sound, very sound, and it still takes a wicked edge. The Staglon handle and brass parts are excellent. It is now ready to go with me afield and serve it's purpose again. Even a plain sheath like this really shows off Paul's attention to detail and eye for quality.

Last item is a great looking fancy sheath I had Paul make for a 162 with wood handle that I picked up. Pure class! Nice bastketweave. A pouch style that really holds the knife securely.

Thanks, Paul

Phil

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Hey Phil; I just got a call from a guy in a neighboring town here ordering a sheath from the picture of the 171 sheath. Talk about the long way around. Texas, Michigan and back to Texas within 30 miles of me. thanks.

Paul
 
Paul,
Beautiful work. Fellow Texan here. I would be very interested in purchasing one of those fine sheaths. I particularly like the one with the .17 HMR loops. Please let me know how to contact you or where to go to find one.
Thanks,
Joe
 
Paul also makes beautiful sheaths for FOLDING knives. Here is one he made for me. It would do any Schrade proud.

Bill
 
That looks like a "RARE" piece, to say the least.
I'm sure Paulino (El Rey del Cuero) could FIX you up...if you send him a ration of scorpion stew.

Bill
 
Thanks Phil.

As much as I like Old Timers (knives and people...:D )...I occasionally stray...:o

That knife is a Saddlehorn Trapper in elephant ivory (pre-ban, of course :eek: ) by New Mexico maker Ty Montell. It has titanium bolsters and liners and 440C blades. Some very nice filework as well.
It strikes me as a blending of things both old and new.
I felt it deserved a proper sheath from our talented friend Paul. I carry it when I dress up...you know...put on my margarita shirt. ;)

Bill
 
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