homemade sheaths!!!

Z

zhangmaster12

Joined
Sep 14, 2007
Messages
504
my second sheath, wip tomorrow.

i still need to buff the edges, but ill do that tomorrow, ill post a step-by-step WIP tomorrow as well.

IMG_0179.jpg


IMG_0174.jpg


IMG_0175.jpg


figured i'd post here, as I hang out here the most :D.
 
That part on the back near the handle of the knife is the belt loop. I didn't have leather long enough for "loop" so I stitched on a piece of leather to make a belt "slot."

It will be more obvious once I post the work-in-progress.
 
That is one HEAVY leather sheath. Maybe it's just the photos but it looks like 15 oz leather in the photos. That's saddle weight leather, you really only need 8-10 oz leather for a knife sheath. If you only have the heavy stuff around you can split it a little thinner or you can also take a hand sander to rough side to get it to the thickness you want. There are two real reasons for using lighter weight leather for sheaths...1) they are easier to bend form and sew and 2) they break in and mold to the knife much better. All in all a good looking sheath though, just thought you might appreciate a couple of pointers to make life a little easier for you.

David
 
Looks like a great 2nd effort to me! :)

Judging by one of the pics its not 15oz leather, thats 1/4" thick. :eek: Looks closer to 10oz and thats a fine thickness for a hard use sheath.

The I beam on the front of the sheath is a smart idea. :D

I cant tell from the angle, do you have a welt in the top of the belt loop? It gives a place for the belt to sit without straining the stitching. I learned that one from a cranky old ex sailor up in Colorado by the name of Mike. :p

If you intend to dye the sheath here's a tip: Dye as much as possible before you assemble the sheath, much easier to get into those tight areas. If not, some oils will give you a nice golden color after some sun, yea, tan your sheath. :)

Free advice and my take on leather. Glean what you want by it and dont hesitate to ask questions. I love talking leather.
 
leatherman said:
Looks like a great 2nd effort to me! :)

Judging by one of the pics its not 15oz leather, thats 1/4" thick. :eek: Looks closer to 10oz and thats a fine thickness for a hard use sheath.

The I beam on the front of the sheath is a smart idea. :D

I cant tell from the angle, do you have a welt in the top of the belt loop? It gives a place for the belt to sit without straining the stitching. I learned that one from a cranky old ex sailor up in Colorado by the name of Mike. :p

If you intend to dye the sheath here's a tip: Dye as much as possible before you assemble the sheath, much easier to get into those tight areas. If not, some oils will give you a nice golden color after some sun, yea, tan your sheath. :)

Free advice and my take on leather. Glean what you want by it and dont hesitate to ask questions. I love talking leather.
Click to expand...

D'oh! Using a welt on the belt loop COMPLETELY slipped my mind. What a great idea!.

Echo
Click to expand...
Its 1/4 inch leather, and its TOUGH AS HELL, an absolute bitch to stitch, getting the stitching to match sucks!

Tal
Click to expand...
The front loop is for leg-wrapping or backpack-wrapping
 
Leather Scraps I used:
4380096613_fc4b11f047_b.jpg


Marking out the templates:
4380850148_f6d2585711_b.jpg


All Marked out
4380096975_65f8163edd_b.jpg


Templates Cut out:
4380852108_bd08b07c7f_b.jpg


Cutting Leather:
4380098443_65101791fe_b.jpg


Pasted on rest of templates:
4380852970_1cf1e6422c_b.jpg


Cut out:
4380853338_04f9b615c7_b.jpg


Pasted Welt Template:
4380099645_500aa58e74_b.jpg
 
IMG_0675.jpg


IMG_0674.jpg


This was my first attempt. I bit off a little to much, as this was a very complicated design that I failed miserably at recreating. I used a little to thick a hunk of leather and next time I try it, I'll get the thinner stuff like someone suggested earlier in the thread.

Your's looks great.
 
Nice step by step! Looks like you followed most of the basic rules of sheath making. :) Another little tidbit, you can make your welts out of two pieces instead of one, you just have to curve them a little to follow the lines of the knife, its wastes less leather too.

That is some thick stuff, is it saddle skirting? It looks like a nice quality. I have used skirting on occasion when a customer calls for it specifically, it was easier to work with than I had worried it would be. Seeing it in hand I can estimate `12 oz weight.

Johnspark, that doesn't look like a failure to me! If it holds the knife well, and sits on your belt comfortably, then you did good. Better looking than my first attempt I tell ya. :o
 
Johnspark
Click to expand...
*snip*
That looks like a pretty nice sheath, I really like the coloring.

leatherman said:
Nice step by step! Looks like you followed most of the basic rules of sheath making. :) Another little tidbit, you can make your welts out of two pieces instead of one, you just have to curve them a little to follow the lines of the knife, its wastes less leather too.

That is some thick stuff, is it saddle skirting? It looks like a nice quality. I have used skirting on occasion when a customer calls for it specifically, it was easier to work with than I had worried it would be. Seeing it in hand I can estimate `12 oz weight.

Johnspark, that doesn't look like a failure to me! If it holds the knife well, and sits on your belt comfortably, then you did good. Better looking than my first attempt I tell ya. :o
Click to expand...

I have no clue what type of leather it is :D. I bought this. Its freakin tough!

Yea, I figured one can make a welt with less leather, but I decided not to since im still a noobie at making knives. That left over piece will be used for another sheath (spyderco mule, once i finish the handles), so its all good.

Nice, i followed the basic rules! :D

For anybody looking for a bunch of good tutorials, check out THIS. This is where i learned all the little bit I know about leatherworking.

I actually didn't use leatherworking needles, I just used normal needles with larger holes. They are all bent retarded now :). I bought a pack on 10 leatherworking needles and s speedy-stitcher, so hopefully, stitching wont take 3 HOURS!

Power was out yesterday, so I could not use the belt sander :(. I'm gonna have to wait until monday to finish the edges. Meanwhile, Ill dye the leather. I will be using Feibing's acrylic antique leather stain (i hope this is the right thing to use).

Leatherman:
What type of oil should I use? Linseed? Preferably something I can get at lowed/homedepot/ace hardware. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
I put my Homemade sheaths together with Chicago screws. If they get wet or if I want to alter them, I can take them apart to dry or putter with.
 
You can usually find neatsfoot oil in the shoe care department at your local store, be sure its not neatsfoot oil "compound". The compound contains petroleum distillates that will break down the leather in time.

Sno Seal is a good one.

Mink oil will work well.

I hear good things about Montana Pitch Blend but cant find any around here.

If you have a Tandy near you, get some "Leather Balm with Atom Wax" or Aussie Leather Conditioner. Both are excellent products that I use regularly. I avoid acrylic sealers like the plague.
 
I'm digging it man! I may have to try one for my Yardhook. The hook is intimidating for sheath making though. I might just try it soon. Thanks for the inspiration!
 
Nicely done on the sheath.:thumbup: Your second sheath is much better than my second effort as well.:) Now you need to get started on your third.

A tip for getting the edges evened out: Get one of those rubber sanding blocks that holds sand paper and several grits of sand paper from your local home improvement store. It will take some effort doing it by hand. You can sand the edges of a leather sheath like wood.

Watch out, this is how it starts Next thing you know you will have a whole mess of leather tools and an expensive sewing machine.:o
 
leatherman said:
You can usually find neatsfoot oil in the shoe care department at your local store, be sure its not neatsfoot oil "compound". The compound contains petroleum distillates that will break down the leather in time.

Sno Seal is a good one.

Mink oil will work well.

I hear good things about Montana Pitch Blend but cant find any around here.

If you have a Tandy near you, get some "Leather Balm with Atom Wax" or Aussie Leather Conditioner. Both are excellent products that I use regularly. I avoid acrylic sealers like the plague.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I need to pick up some neatsfoot.

Iboschi
Click to expand...
In order to completely circumvent the hook, you can cut the hook side of the welt short, so you have a little slot open for the hook.

nick, chapman
Click to expand...
Thanks for the kind words!

I would love to start on a third sheath....but I have no knife!!! :(
But I will soon, lets sayyy "2 weeks"

(Joke on ScrapYard's release times)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top