How to make a Striker Pocket in a Randall sheath

[John Cahoon]

Hi guys, I've been asked to make a few Randall Alaskan Skinners (model 11). Two have normal sheaths and are shipped but the third needs one of these striker pockets on the front. I have no idea how to cut and shape it so that the corners are square and neat.

I'm considering relieving the insides of the corners with V shaped channels with an exacto knife so it can bend inward easier and I think I can mold it 90 degrees at the bottom where the sewing punches are but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The next question involves the flap. I haven't found detailed pictures or patterns online but I think the flap is cut long and inserted all the way to the bottom of the pocket, held fast with glue and/or sewn in. Then the actual flap extends out and over the top to snap shut. Is that a valid assumption or is something else going on.

I hope that's all clearly stated but if not let me know and I'll try to clarify.
thanks in advance!
John

 

[lukusamongus]

I've made a couple in the past by cutting out and making a mold from 3/8" plywood. The size and shape of the inside of the pocket was just a rectangle of plywood, with slightly relieved corners and edges. I carefully worked and massaged a very wet piece of leather into the outside part of the mold, then pushed the inside piece into the leather and clamped it in tightly. Then I worked the outside of the leather down flat and clamped them down with flat pieces. Let it all dry overnight before unclamping the pieces. They came out very good, just trimmed to final shape.

That was a terrible description, but there's a thread further down where someone makes a victornox pocket sheath, same idea, just larger. His setup is much nicer. Here's the link, https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/wet-molded-leather-sheath-pouch-for-victorinox.2049462/

Mine were one-offs for specific sheaths, so plywood and scraps worked fine.

 

[Horsewright]

Thats how I’d do it above. You do have to keep mnolding as the leather dries.

 

[John Cahoon]

Thanks L lukusamongus and Dave, that video was very helpful! I'll watch it a few more times too! I just need to get the dimensions of the tool that's going inside the pocket.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

There is an easier way by cutting slits in the corners. No idea how to do it though