How Simple Can You Get

[harronek]

If you spend enough time here sooner or later the question of what tools are needed will arise , Mostly it is from someone just starting to dabble with leatherwork .
This got me thinking this last week about how to build a folder sheath with the least tools .
It became a bit of a competition with myself to see what was possible with the minimum of tools and when all conventional thoughts and ideas were challenged and some even thrown out the window ..
I actually took photos as I went along so this is a kind of step by step account of making this sheath , it certainly isn't a tutorial and was never meant to be one .

Remember this is an attempt at simplicity .

I started off with a piece of 4-5 oz leather



The sheath will be for one of my SAK's , I have made a number of what I call forms of different thickness which I use for the forming process , but the knife itself would be fine .



The wet forming process begins .



So far I have used a knife , metal ruler and now a bone folder to help with the forming . After the knife pocket is formed I fold the leather over upon itself .



A snap faster is attached , so the tool list now includes a hammer and the anvil and setter for the fastener .
I also cut out a strip of leather which will double side the flap of the sheath .



I skive that strip quickly just with my knife , it is a narrow strip and the skived area will be down inside the sheath .



Time for some glue , so add that to the list of tools .



The whole sheath is now glued together and the excess leather removed .



The wings or flaps of the sheath that create the belt loop are trimmed and wet folded into shape



Snap fastener is attached to the flap and belt loop flaps .



The leather is dyed , so add the dye and a wool dauber to the tool list .







You will have noticed by now that this sheath doesn't have any stitching . Time will tell how this holds together without it but I actually have faith in its durability now that its built , above all else its a bit of fun and also the design of the wrap around belt loop flaps keep everything tensioned and tight , that design was a conscious decision .


Here are all the tools that were used to make the sheath , you will notice an edge bevel tool , it was used so must be included in the list , but it wasn't really necessary .



Ken

 

[Omega Leather Works]

That's pretty cool bud. I'd take off the beveler and add an awl (or needle if you have a drill press), couple of needles and waxed thread, but that's just me. If you were really on a budget you could sub a stud in place of the snap and setter too. A groover would be nice for the stitches to sit in, but you could also improvise.

The initial outlay for leather, tools and chems really made me consider just buying my sheaths but the mad tinkerer in me just wouldn't allow it. I think it's cool of you to have done this in order to point out that you don't need to spend a small fortune to make fine items out of leather. Not many will be able to match your work straight away, but it's possible with planning and taking some time to do it right.

Good job!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Nice Ken, minimal tools, well done sir. And probably since the knife isn't fighting to get out of the sheath, meaning there isn't any pressure against the glue joints, the glue will most likely not give way.

about the only other thing to do to make something like this without much in the way of tools might be;

Form as you did, but also form a strip to go just a bit below the opening, and also 'form' that so the glued layers of the flap will just fit down into it, and make the flap so it has a spear or arrow head to click in once it gets past the strap, could be just one side has that so it has a kinda of locking method to it.

And on the back side, skive the two sides down and glue them together as well, that much surface area will hold pretty good I think, that way you'd not need the snaps at all.


G2

 

[harronek]

Thanks guys .
This was fun to make and as I mentioned early on it was just a kind of an exercise to test some unconventional ideas ( no stitching for example ) and to see just how few tools I could use and still hopefully have a half presentable sheath that functions properly .
There are many different types if sheaths and many different levels of complexity and decoration , but I think I've shown I've shown here that a handful of tools most of which the average person will already have , are all that's needed to make that initial sheath .
After that the sky is the limit for bells , whistles and gadgets , or maybe that simple tool list will continue to be all that you need .
If you haven't already made yourself a sheath don't let the I need to buy heaps of tools and its expensive excuse stop you .

Ken

 

[Horsewright]

Amen. Simply brillant Ken.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Well said.

 

[paulhilborn]

I wanted to stop in and do kind of a week by week R&D so to say of Ken's stitch-less sheath:thumbup:

I was lucky enough to be the test subject for such a unique sheath. It arrived yesterday and has been on my belt since it's arrival. My belt width is an 1 3/8ths. The sheath fits snug as to not move on me.

The 2 layer Pioneer fits snug but still allows to easily draw and insert the knife in and out of the sheath:thumbup:

I really like this sheath and as I told Ken it rides on the belt without any notice at all. It also frees up my pocket for my Maratac AAA flashlight.
Ken wants a real world review and I'll check back weekly and report my findings good and bad:thumbup: I know Ken mentioned he's very curious to see how this holds up and he stressed to tell it as I see it:thumbup:

I own a Handyman business so I work both in and outdoors, lay on my side, crawl in attics, carry numerous items, bump into everything I try to avoid, so this will get a real day to day WORKOUT

Now for the pictures...

This by the way is NOT an easy picture to take for a FAT man

 

[Horsewright]

Very cool. Look forward to you weekly updates.

 

[harronek]

It will be very interesting for me to see how it holds up to everyday life .
As I tried to explain in the original post in this thread , this was a quick , easy , simple , fun little test that I gave myself to try and complete .
After it was finished and I saw the " No Stitch " idea in real life , then it occurred to me that it really needed testing to see if it would work over a longer period of time .
I don't carry a SAK on my belt at work , a large Multitool is my companion during the working week , my SAK's are " after hours " knives so I thought it would be good to give it to someone who will wear it often .
Paul kindly volunteered to be a " Crash test dummy " and I'd like to thank him for that .
As I've said to Paul , wear it , use it and tell us about the " Bad " just as much as the " Good " , I won't be offended .
Let the Games begin

Ken

 

[Horsewright]

Ken I can see you patenting this deal, die cutting it out and selling it in kit form to DIY guys. I'm about 15/16ths serious here. The only durability issue I see are the belt loop snaps. If that proves to be a problem and I don't think it will be, a guy could use pull the dot snaps.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I'm embarrassed because not all of the original pics were loading while I typed my response regarding stitching. I didn't realize that the design was so well thought out and I apologize for my assumption. Lesson learned. I don't think stitching is necessary in this case either.

As always, beautiful work and an inspiration.

 

[harronek]

Ken I can see you patenting this deal, die cutting it out and selling it in kit form to DIY guys. I'm about 15/16ths serious here. The only durability issue I see are the belt loop snaps. If that proves to be a problem and I don't think it will be, a guy could use pull the dot snaps.

I can't see that happening anytime soon
If your keen then you have my best wishes , I say " go for it " .
I have no desire to mix business with pleasure and for me leatherwork is pleasure time .
I'm sure someone must have done this before in one form or another .
On the subject of the belt loop snaps , I agree with you and if I had some rivets then I would have probably tried them to make it a permanent join , or maybe Chicago screws .
Paul hasn't mentioned his little alteration to stop the back of the snap marking the knife . Paul if your watching you might want to add what you did .
If I ever make another Stitchless sheath then I would obviously spend more care and attention on it than i did on this experiment and use a rolled edge and in the process achieve a fully lined sheath eliminating that problem .
Like this for example .

I would also be very interested in seeing others have a go at the Stitchless idea and see what new ideas they may come up with .I'm always open to suggestions .

Ken

 

[Diomedes Industries]

I actually really like the whole idea here.

I have a few SAK Farmers in Alox and that may have to be made for one of mine.

TF

 

[paulhilborn]

Paul hasn't mentioned his little alteration to stop the back of the snap marking the knife . Paul if your watching you might want to add what you did Ken

I just cut a strip of Gorilla tape the same width of the snap and it adhered it to the inside. Hasn't come off/loose since I did it and protects the Black ALOX perfectly:thumbup:

I am a HUGE fan or Gorilla Tape---I've had a patch on my truck beds Tarno Cover for over a year and it's weathered extreme temps---should do the trick?

I'll try and post up a picture tomorrow

 

[paulhilborn]

Just a quick stop in to update that really not much if anything has changed:thumbup:

The Sheath is used EVERY day, there is NO deformation of the sheath at all:thumbup: Still snug and it's easily keeping it's shape

I apologize for the crappy indoor pictures as I worked late and ran out of daylight, in addition to that my cameras Macro setting seems to be going out

I really really like this sheath and don't see any future issues with this sheath at all I do Handyman work and climb in attic's, crawl spaces and lay on my side and figured that would put the most stress on the sheath than anything. It's only been a week but there is NO separation (which was a question Ken had whether or not this would hold without stitching) of the leather AT ALL:thumbup:

This last picture you can just see the top of the Gorilla Tape I used to keep the snap closure from scratching the ALOX

 

[harronek]

That great to hear its still in one piece :thumbup:
Now that you have used it a little bit , what are your thoughts on the belt loop arrangement .
Do you ever unsnap it and take it off your belt that way , or do you just tend to thread your belt through it in the traditional way you normally would with a fixed belt loop ?
Have you put any leather conditioner on it ?
I suppose the biggest question of all is how are you finding carrying a SAK in a belt sheath instead of your pocket ?
Do you find it convenient or a hassle to have it on your belt ?
Please keep us updated on things , and any thoughts , observations and ideas are always welcomed .

Ken

 

[Omega Leather Works]

SAKs are like slipjoints, they take more dedication to use than a modern one handed opener imo. I wear a folder in a sheath almost every day and just snap the blade out (Contego), but carrying a SAK in a sheath doesn't seem like it would be a pain. Curious to hear Pauls thoughts.

 

[paulhilborn]

Pictures next week but today I'll answer some of the questions posted. As far as sheath being removed and installed daily...I just un-slip it off the belt at night and simply slip the sheath on the belt in the morning.

No leather conditioner as of yet..I am going to put a conditioner on the sheath on Monday. Ken asked how I like carrying my SAK in a sheath versus pocket. The first day was awkward, after that it's come naturally:thumbumb:

I carry the sheath just above my right hand pocket...it doesn't obstruct getting into or out of my pocket at all. I love the sheath placement and it's becoming second nature to quick flip the snap flap, grab the attached lanyard and extract the knife...actually becomes one fluid movement.

I seriously try to eat a Fuji apple daily and while sitting on our barstool I can extract the knife while sitting and oddly enough this can be done even with a little bit of a belly:thumbup:

Love the sheath, don't see ever going back to pocket carry

 

[harronek]

I've worn a folder or Multitool in a belt sheath for years .
My work involves many tasks , driving machinery , fixing things , climbing over things , bending over , crawling under , you name it sooner or later I will require my knife , and I'll bet money that I'll be in a position where extracting it from my jeans pocket is about as likely as me ever running the New York Marathon .
.I have found that the Horizontal sheath suits me better in a work environment , but around home and in the evenings a Vertical sheath is what I prefer .
A belt sheath just ticks the boxes for my requirements , and I honestly believe the majority of other folder users would be better served using one as well .
I'm glad your enjoying it Paul and please keep us up to date with any developments .

Ken

 

[paulhilborn]

I meant to update this yesterday but time just didn't allow for it. So Since my last post I applied a leather conditioner---a Silicone/Lanolin Mink Oil I've used for years:thumbup:

There are NO issues at all to this point in time with the sheath, other then a couple of small scuffs due to use. I've become so used to the sheath that pocket carry seems obsolete---but never say never Very comfortable and easier to access the knife then in my pocket:thumbup:

Thanks Ken for letting me use this sheath and if you want it back I'll do everything I can to persuade you otherwise It simply goes un-noticed in day to day chores, even when I'm layin on my fat belly under a furnace duct:thumbup: