Hello from a beginner leather sheath maker, 2 questions

P

Ponsau

Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Messages
160
Hello,
I just wanted to start out by saying thanks to all of the people who post free info on this forum. I've learned so much from reading posts and watching videos on YouTube. I've made 4 sheaths so far. With each one I've made I've learned a few things and improved. I'm still learning and getting stuff down. I'm quite often blown away by some of the sheaths I see on this forum.

Two question for you guys. Is it enough to just back stitch to hold the stitches together at the end? I get paranoid and tie a knot at the end, then put a dab of super glue on it. I think it might be overkill. Secondly, what do you guys do about buttons rubbing on the knife blade or handle? I've been putting a tiny piece of gorilla tape over the back of snap buttons. This has worked to stop un-necessary scratching from the button, but I'm thinking their might be a better way. Just wanted to get this forum's thoughts on this.

Here are the 4 sheaths I've made so far in the order I've made them. I learned to etched the cold steel norse hawk by reading the blade forums as well. Once again thanks to all on this forum for the info you guys bring. It's a wealth of knowledge here. The last sheath with the vine work I just finished last week. I'm trying to practice carving on pieces of leather I have around. I also bought a few stamps.













 
Those are your first efforts? Wow. Here I was trying to figure out how to make a couple of super simple slip sheaths with one piece of leather and some thread. Nice work!
 
Ponsau, you show real talent......and you will continue to get better with each sheath. Your desire for perfection shows in your work.

Back stitching a couple of stitches will get the job done. A little dot of Elmer's glue or Super glue on the last loop and then pulled into the hole will work also. A knot and super glue is, in fact, overkill, but it doesn't hurt anything except the looks.

What you are doing to shield the snap backs is okay, just make sure the piece of tape stays put. Soon you will be lining your sheaths and that will take care of the snaps.

Welcome to the forum and come back often.

Paul
 
Your work looks great! I doubted the back stitching for a while too, but it's been holding fine when I back up two stitches and tie a knot on the last pass through the leather.

Lining the sheath is the only clean way I've found to cover the back of the snaps.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to do some research on lining sheaths. Yeah the knot doesn't look good. I'm going to cut that habit (literally) on the next sheath.

As far as the sheaths go, I've been hooked on building them since I finished the first one. I'm almost buying knives just to build sheaths for them. Is that weird? :eek: I spend quite some time making the pattern on paper and seeing if it would come out well. It really has turned into a fun hobby.

I'm enjoying it though. I get a real sense of accomplishment when it all comes together.
 
Well done! I like what you've done so far and I hope you keep posting pics! :)

And yes, lining the inside of your sheaths with a thin leather is best when you have a snap on the face, I use a 2/3 ounce veggie tanned leather, no need to line the entire length just an inch or a couple below the snap back is good to go. Try to avoid the temptation of simply gluing a dot of leather over the snap, it wont stay. I've fixed countless sheaths done this way.

I normally back stitch three or four holes and cut flush, use an awl to push the stump of thread into the hole.

Keep up the good work.
 
I just left San Antonio last summer, and moved up here just north of Dallas for work. I visited your web page. Awesome stuff. There were some carry styles I've never seen before that I like.
Sheathmaker, I was working a bit in Kerrville at the hospital there. I'd drive in from San Antonio. I miss the hill country area. Miss going to the small towns around there visiting trade days. :)
 
Wow Mike, thanks for the complement. I'd really like to do a gun holster as well. I'm trying to check out styles and do a little research on them. My revolver is staring at me telling me to build it :)
 
Those look real good for your first sheaths. I'm no leather expert by any stretch of the imagination and I hardly ever use snaps, but on this sheath I did and I relieved the area around the back of the snap so it sat a little below the surrounding surface. Haven't heard back from the owner so I guess it's still working.

blacknecker.jpg
 
Nice jobs. My first two look very amateurish in comparison.

I have a snap on one and instead of a lining, used a small piece of suade contact cemented over the snap to protect the blade. Worked well.

TG
 
Yeah TG, I didn't show a close up of the stitching on the first. Kinda went a bit everywhere. But at least it came out ok and gets the job done. A lot of my success I guess is by reading these forums and watching YouTube. So much free info. I also look at leather sheaths a lot and try to work out how they are made. I'm going to try lining a sheath when I attempt another.
Thanks KT!
 
I tend to use Sam Browne's rather than press studs and lining or "pouching" the base is the only way to fully avoid marking the blade. Glued in patches work ok for a while but a few years down the line?
 
parbajtor said:
I tend to use Sam Browne's rather than press studs and lining or "pouching" the base is the only way to fully avoid marking the blade. Glued in patches work ok for a while but a few years down the line?
Click to expand...
Exactly, when you really think about how long a sheath is in normal use, you really should think in terms of decades not months or years. A simple glued in patch will only hold on so long, its bound to fail eventually.
 
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