hope i'm not outta line asking...

IVANKERLEY

IVANKERLEY

Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
2,397
where can ya get a sheath kit for a bowie with approx 10" blade. Ive searched around here and checked numerous online places. Most have sheaths but nothing over 7". I'm not opposed to taking a crack (from scratch) at it myself just want to make sure i get everything i need to complete it. Nothing fancy just simple and sturdy, leather preferably...
the bowie is a cheap carbon steel bowie i had as a teen and i have since (for better or worse) put a new handle, etc on it. The original sheath is total junk, the knife survived 20+ years so i figured it deserves it:D

any of you guys recommend a sheath kit
or a list of the bare bones needed to produce a functional sheath

thanks
ivan
 
Here is what I recommend -

1. Leather - for a knife like a bowie, you will want a fairly heavy (8 oz. or so) piece of vegetable tanned leather. A piece 2-3 square feet will give you more than enough leather, but order more if you want some room to screw up.

2. Glue - I use contact cement from Home Depot.

3. Needles - I use blunted needles with big eyes.

4. Thread - I've been using quite a bit of natural color braided sinew, waxed, lately. Very strong and it looks good on any color of sheath. There are also lots of different types of thread in various colors. Any quality natural thread, waxed, will do the job, but it has to be for leatherworking, not sewing thread.

5. Awl or stitch hole punch - These can be ordered from Tandy or any decent leathergoods supplier. They are used to punch holes in the leather for the stitching.

6. Hammer or mallet - Just about any kind of wooden or leather mallet will work so long as it isn't too heavy. Can be had from Tandy or other outlet.

7. Cutting surface - I use a large wooden cutting board.

8. Dyes - If you want to dye the leather.

9. Sharp, thin bladed knife for cutting the leather. A pair of heavy scissors works well also.

Spend some time thinking about how you want the sheath to be constructed and how you want it to look. Simple is better, and think through the steps before beginning. This will cut down on mistakes and the sheath will be better looking when you are done.

Andy
 
thank you very much! as far as the leather goes it looked like tandy dealt in larger quantities than i would need...
Where do you buy the leather from?
thanks for the list it helps greatly
ivan
 
Ivan, look up the Tandy website and look for a store in your area. Then give them a call and talk to them on the phone, they'll take care of you. You can buy half sides (basically 1/4th of a hide), which won't be that expensive, and you may end up using it on other projects.

I have always bought my leather from Tandy, but there are other places, too.

Andy
 
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