how thick leather for seaths?

[bronyblacksmith]

I have some boots that I want to cut up to use for the leather its about 4-5 ounce suede would that be thick enough?

 

[Jason Fry]

Not really. You could do it, and lots have, but it's not going to be sturdy like a good sheath out of 8 oz.

 

[JZknives]

never destroy shoes , always donate shoes that you dont want.

there is always somebody who DOES need shoes.


But as for the leather you would be much better off getting a 12x24 sheet from many of the knife suppliers

 

[12345678910]

I have some boots that I want to cut up to use for the leather its about 4-5 ounce suede would that be thick enough?

The salt from the sweat you put into that leather means your blade will rust.

See the sheathmakers forum for good suppliers.

 

[Paul Savage]

8-9 oz. vegtan hides are my suggestion. You can buy small squares if you don't need much but don't cheap out at this stage of the game.

 

[rjfm1972]

Watch for people on ebay selling remnants. I have gotten pieces of leather full grain cowhide as large as 12" X 5 feet for as little as 30 dollars. I'm talking good stuff, too. Also, I would say use 9-10 oz leather. About 1/8" thick.

 

[quint]

Well for one there is no issue with recycling leather goods as I have scene some pretty cool stuff made out of those things. People recycle shoes, boots, leather jackets, belts, purses .... whatever.

Now the issue with using it for a knife sheath is most of these are made from chrome tan leather or something similar which can react with your blade. Vegtan leather is generally the leather of choice for sheaths although you shouldnt really keep your knives in the sheaths for storage anyways regardless of what there made of.

 

[cbr900son]

ive used 8-9 oz and got a double shoulder for around 60$ but thinking about trying some 7-8oz next time to see.

 

[Willie71]

If there is a tandy leather factory in your area, pay the store a visit. They have everything you need, and everything you didnèt realize you need My first sheaths were remnants.

 

[Wolf Creek Forge]

We always used 8-9oz before but have been using 7-8oz lately with good results.

 

[Salem Straub]

I've been using 9-10 oz. Herman Oak tooling leather from Springfield Leather, bought from their website. The cool thing about Springfield is that you can buy leather by the square foot, from 2 sq. ft up to a full side if you can afford it. Plus they are good to deal with IME.

I think the next time I order leather from them I'll drop back to 8 oz.-ish. The heavy stuff is great, but folding it wet can wipe out tooling a bit and that bugs me. It's really great though for full welt sheaths.

 

[combs6136]

tougher to work with , but i stick with 9-10 oz...............carl

 

[Hengelo_77]

as said before boots and shoes etc are made of chrome tanned leather.
Sheets, holsters, belts etc are usualy made of from vegetable tanned leather.
They are different kinds of leather with different properties.
Chrome tanned leather is much softer but it doesn't hold its shape like vegetable tanned.
Chrome tanned behaves almost more like a fabric. Vegetable tanned can be wet formed and keep it's shape. That is how you can make a sheeth that holds the knife, even when held up-side-down.
You can combine the two if you like. I've done it a few times.
Make an inner-sheeth from vegetable tanned and cover it withe chrome tanned leather.
In my case it gives a dark-light effect.
One thing I've learned is that the smooth side of vegetable tanned leather is mildly abrasive.
Use that side as the outside or it will scratch the knives guard.

I don't have a better pic but is should give the idea: