How To Best Convert An Original Schrade USA 152 Sharpfinger Sheath To A Cross-draw

S

SolWarrior

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Hello All,

I was looking for a sheath maker who would make me a horizontal sheath for one of my knives but that hasn't panned out as planned so, I decided to attempt a do-it-yourself project; to convert an original Schrade USA 152 Sharpfinger leather sheath to a horizontal cross-draw. One that would fit snug at the small of the back with little play if any, right hand draw. This would mean that the strap (which is towards the front of the handle) would have to stay in place to keep from losing the knife at the horizontal position. The knife would be worn with the blade edge facing up since the original sheath is a one sided vertical sheath with the blade edge facing back when worn on the right hand side. I don't see much of a problem with that as it can be drawn either way with a few simple maneuvers of the hand and little practice.

I should mention that I've trained in Aikijujutsu/Aikibujutsu for many years and weaponry is very much a part of that training with knife training and self-defense of as only one of the many weapons training in this art form. With that, the balance point of sheath with knife engaged is at the top end of the strap when balanced on my index finger. This leaves plenty of room for the new leather belt loop (width should not be an issue) to fit inside the original belt loop without it overlapping to the front of the sheath and disturbing the mechanics in any way. Being that I'm a rookie at leather, I was wondering if there is anything unforeseen by me that could cause this idea to fail at any point throughout the project and beyond - when wearing the sheath/knife or when drawing and using it this way. All ideas are welcomed as long as the original leather sheath remains the sheath of choice. :) Thanks!
 
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"Being that I am a rookie at leather................" ( a quote from your post) Yes, there are many things that can go haywire with this project, not the least of which would be the stability of the converted sheath with regard to horizontal or any of the many degrees of horizontal it could find itself in.

In my opinion, the best way to accomplish this is to design a brand new sheath, which in this case would be technically a left hand sheath. It takes a left hand sheath for a right hand draw from center of the back to function and carry properly. Then there is the problem of the BLIND re-insertion of the knife. (Your Martial Arts training notwithstanding,
it is near impossible to re-insert the knife without removing the sheath for that sharp point shape style knife) You can expect a cut sheath at the least and maybe an injury at the worst.

My recommendation would be for a 45 degree horizontal right hand sheath worn at about 10 o'clock on the left front body, for right hand draw. (cross draw) It's out of the way sitting or standing, at least as easy access, and MUCH easier to re-sheath one handed.

In either case I think trying to modify the original sheath would be almost an exercise in futility. Your best bet is to start with a new sheath. If you don't think your skill level is up to the task, either I or one of the many sheath makers here could do the job for you. If spending money for the sheath does not exactly suit your purpose I will design a sheath pattern for you free of charge and you can go from there.

Those are my thoughts and the original sheath would still remain the sheath of choice.

Edit to add: As you can see I'm in Texas also. Where are you located?

Paul
 
Hello Sheathmaker! I'm in West Bexar county, past Sea World, just outside of San Antonio. I've already got the re-inserting of the knife back in the sheath down to the Tee. ;) Takes two hands but not a problem. Thanks for the offer. Very kind of you, sir. Let me toss those ideas around as my mind is pretty much set for a 90 degree from vertical, unless...something else comes up! Ha ha.
 
Sol,
The kind of sheath you are referring too if i'm understanding you is refereed to in Pistol lingo as a SOB.

Small of back draw. The problem is, while they are great on foot, Motorcycle or Bike, in a Dojo for drill practice.

In a vehicle or sitting in a chair, it doesn't take long for your back to Scream SOB!
My back is killing me!:eek:

Sheathmaker has the right idea for a carry that you can use no matter how you are getting around or sit..
 
Sol, you are very close to my shop unless you are riding a bicycle. If you decide to go new or just want some help with the pattern, come on up and bring the knife. Address and phone is at the bottom of all my posts.

Paul
 
Rhinoknives1,

My dojo years are behind me and besides we never used real knives only wooden ones and trained with rubber guns and real guns with blanks only at times. If we got powder burns on our gi we were dead. Luckily I was too quick to react for anticipation of the loud bang alone and never got any powder burns.

As for the SOB thing, (Lol) good point. I don't know if you're familiar with the Schrade 152 but it's a small knife compared to most and I already have a bad back. I have put the knife with sheath where I want to carry it and leave it there just to find out how it feels when I'm sitting and it actually feels good on my back, but who knows how it will feel with time. Hmm

Paul,

I'd like to see what you have in store for a sharpfinger - the closer to actual horizontal the better if you do have anything. Or like other sheath makers, do you also need the knife to get fitted for a sheath? Every city in Texas is spread out wide and San Antonio has gotten so huge that we're talking day trip. Not to mention the traffic there and here is no fun. I'd like to avoid that if possible. However, meeting you in person would definitely be a pleasure. I'm not looking for anything too busy or bulky either. - Felix
 
Man if I lived that close to Paul Long and he invited me over to his place I'd take my tent and camping gear with me because I wouldn't be leaving in a hurry .
My advice is do everything you can to take him up on his offer .

Ken
 
All I know is if I lived close to Paul and he offered genuine help on the subject of a sheath holding a knife, not only would I take him up on it and bring him a cold pack of his favorite beverage, but he would probably have to mace me to get me to leave......


Todd
 
harronek said:
Man if I lived that close to Paul Long and he invited me over to his place I'd take my tent and camping gear with me because I wouldn't be leaving in a hurry .
My advice is do everything you can to take him up on his offer .

Ken
Click to expand...

This....

just-a-hunter said:
All I know is if I lived close to Paul and he offered genuine help on the subject of a sheath holding a knife, not only would I take him up on it and bring him a cold pack of his favorite beverage, but he would probably have to mace me to get me to leave......


Todd
Click to expand...

and this!

Chris
 
I didn't mean to pirate harronek's post and I admit I just hurried and replied without reading all of the replys but what can I say, great/smart minds think alike!

Todd
 
First of all, I posted for recommendations to convert the original Schrade USA 152 Sharpfinger leather sheath to fit horizontally on the small of my back with some minor modifications. Something simple. I already have a simple design of my own in my head but thought this site would be a good place to get some good or better ideas and suggestions on how to do this best. After all two or more heads should be better than one. No? Well, at least those were my thoughts when I started this thread.

There are reasons I want a true horizontal sheath and not a 45 degree sheath dubbed "horizontal". For one, it conceals better when in public. (Thinking about those with bad intentions who will see it before they decide to act, giving those few and far apart an upper hand.) Then, the fact that I want to carry it on the small of my back, I need a more ergonomic fit to be less bothersome in that area. A 45 degree sheath would not work for my needs anywhere on my body. Also, as I said from the get go that I want to stick to the original sheath.

Any attempts at peer pressure is futile. If someone were to ask me for ideas on how defend oneself in a certain situation (and they have) I would not suggest that they come to my place for a little training at a small fee. If that person's demeanor is good I will just tell them right then and there. So, nice try but you guys can save it for someone else cause it's never worked with me. :)

Anyway, back to the topic - I don't want to carry the knife any where else for self-defense purposes. A 45 degree sheath requires one to implement more body mechanics to draw the knife, therefore, slowing down any attempt to draw the knife quickly, if needed. In the wrong situation less than one second can make a difference between life and death. Not to be dramatic here as I will be carrying the knife in this fashion largely for normal uses. And yet, in a "what if" situation one must always be prepared for what ever comes up, particularly when out in public.

So there you have it. I learned something on here. Hope you guys did too.
 
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Sol, I'm thinking you don't know it but...
Mr Long is an icon in the sheath world.
This is like having Willie Mosconi invite you over to shoot some pool.
Roger Federor to hits some balls on the court.
Going for a ride with Richard Petty...
 
Ebbtide: Your thinking is right. I didn't know. I respect and admire that but more importantly I saw his photo after he answered my thread and he looks like a really nice man as well. I appreciate you telling me. Thank you.

Just-A-Hunter: Just an FYI - Royce Gracie trained in Brazilian Jiujitsu designed strictly for one on one sport/competition and not for real life confrontations. Realistically it is a watered down version of Japan Jujitsu (a better, more well rounded art form) just a couple of arts that came from Aikijujutsu. Other arts like Aikido, (a beautiful and very gracious art) Judo (Judo which is also for sport/competition) and others also came from this art which has all the aspects of those arts and more. It was fun and exciting and I was blessed to have had the opportunity to learn such an ancient art form. Thanks for your input as well.
 
I'd like to add to the above that although you guys have informed me about Paul's reputation, the fact remains that except for maybe Rhinoknives1's comment on the SOB, I have not had any real ideas or creative feedback from anyone. I've had only suggestions for other sheaths which do not serve my purpose or why I started this thread to begin with. Maybe because it's not worthwhile to anyone? I'm thinking I should just go with my simple design to convert the original vertical sheath to a true horizontal and end this thread altogether...but will leave it thru the weekend. Good night.
 
Sol, I surely did not mean to irritate you with my previous responses. It's just that I've been at this a very long time and have a fair idea of what is generally possible, practical and workable. Then I have a tendency to advise according to the way I would do it based on experience.

Your sheath will probably be one of the two styles below, the difference being the retention strap placement. They are all right hand sheaths from the factory, so for the position and draw you want the knife will have to be carried edge up. (upside down). Probably the easiest modification would be to add a belt loop by overstitching the existing stitches both top and bottom, placed as close to the sheath mouth area as possible for good balance. You may have to add a little length to the loop to accommodate a wider belt. You could also add a second loop attached with a snap on the existing belt loop of your sheath (so it would be removable for regular sheath carry). This second loop would straddle a belt loop on your pants and add to the stability of the carry, and help maintain true horizontal position.

Good luck.

Best regards,

Paul
 
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SOB sheaths work really well , in the Movie World .
Angled cross draw sheaths work really well in the Real World .


Ken
 
Mr. Long, I was not irritate by your responses but the ensuing responses thereafter - that Salolan pointed to as well (copied and pasted below) - that sparked a more straight forward reply from me. My sincerest apologies if I came across as irritate, in particular with you, Paul, or anyone else for that matter.

I did however, wanted to stick to the original basic design. I may take you up of your offer to drop by your place for another knife (a quick release Kershaw folder) as well as the sharpfinger, if your offer still stands. It was very kind of you to take the time to share your expert opinion, advice and suggestions with me. Thank you very much for it all.

Felix

Salolan
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Quote Originally Posted by harronek View Post
Man if I lived that close to Paul Long and he invited me over to his place I'd take my tent and camping gear with me because I wouldn't be leaving in a hurry .
My advice is do everything you can to take him up on his offer .

Ken
This....

Quote Originally Posted by just-a-hunter View Post
All I know is if I lived close to Paul and he offered genuine help on the subject of a sheath holding a knife, not only would I take him up on it and bring him a cold pack of his favorite beverage, but he would probably have to mace me to get me to leave......


Todd
and this!

Chris
Click to expand...
 
SOB sheaths work really well , in the Movie World .
Angled cross draw sheaths work really well in the Real World .


Ken
Click to expand...

Lol. I have my reasons and I know what works best for me and why, and none of it came from the "movie world".
 
Sol, offer is still good and has no expiration date. Just give me a call if and when you are ready so we can set up an agreeable time. My number is below in the sig line.

Paul
 
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