How do I keep from cutting the sheath?

johnnyKnives · Sep 29, 2009

I got a sheath with my benchmade (rant bowie) and cut the sheath. Are some sheaths created better than others? I'm sure I was just careless. I never thought about cutting the sheath until I did it. The benchmade is sharp

Will Batayte · Sep 29, 2009

Yeah you gotta be careful with some sheaths. I probably would have cut the retaining strap off my Fallkniven thor's sheath if I didn't read about someone else having that problem and purposely avoided doing it.

The Government · Sep 29, 2009

I cant stand that about leather sheaths! It always happens to my deep carry leather scandi sheaths.

My solution is to put some duct tape (black gorilla grip) on the inside of the sheath where it tends to get accidental cuts. You could just put it wherever yours tends to get cut. The duct tape seems to greatly protect it from this problem.

SOLEIL · Sep 30, 2009

The plastic used in milk jugs can be cut and/or heated and fitted into the sheath to protect it.

100eyes · Sep 30, 2009

I just always try to put knives in the sheath while leaning the edge of the spine against the back of the sheath. Same thing when drawing the knife.

gormandu · Sep 30, 2009

I just happened to notice that Uma Thurman cuts open sheath from her Sog dagger after her first fight in Kill Bill.

You're definitely not the only person this happens to.

DWK2 · Sep 30, 2009

I agree with 100eyes: Apply pressure toward the spine while drawing or replacing the knife in the sheath and you'll have fewer problems.

Also, do it slowly and deliberately.

DancesWithKnives

antonio_luiz · Sep 30, 2009

johnnyKnives said:
I got a sheath with my benchmade (rant bowie) and cut the sheath. Are some sheaths created better than others? I'm sure I was just careless. I never thought about cutting the sheath until I did it. The benchmade is sharp

Yes - some sheaths are better made than others. I have never cut a well made sheath (with swedge) that's properly formed. I did once nick a couple of threads on a cheap sheath that did not have a swedge

gmarthur · Sep 30, 2009

antonio_luiz said:
Yes - some sheaths are better made than others. I have never cut a well made sheath (with swedge) that's properly formed. I did once nick a couple of threads on a cheap sheath that did not have a swedge

I think you mean a welt. A swedge has to do with grinding the top part of the spine of a knife down to make a pointier point.

CAS6591 · Sep 30, 2009

johnnyKnives said:
I got a sheath with my benchmade (rant bowie) and cut the sheath. Are some sheaths created better than others? I'm sure I was just careless. I never thought about cutting the sheath until I did it. The benchmade is sharp

Depending on the sheath design, I have found that most cuts happen when the blade first enters the sheath if it is not lined up straight.

On one sheath I damaged, I used 2 part epoxy and worked it into the affected area. It created a fairly hard, clear area on the leather that resisted mis-ques with the blade.

yojimbo1969 · Sep 30, 2009

Does anyone make a leather sheath with a nylon or poly spacer sewn between the leather on the edge side of the blade?

Seems like that might be a good solution.

CAS6591 · Sep 30, 2009

yojimbo1969 said:
Does anyone make a leather sheath with a nylon or poly spacer sewn between the leather on the edge side of the blade?

Seems like that might be a good solution.

I have made a 'hybrid' type of sheath that is a cross between a Scandi and an American design. Basically, a belt sheath with wood liner. It eliminates the need for a welt on the sewn edge of a pocket sheath. However, if you mis align the blade going in, you will still cut the top of the sheath.

There are ways to construct a sheath to reduce this tendency.