I propose a dual.... I am calling you leather benders out....

[Diomedes Industries]

I think this might be a fun little contest. Leather makes large and small - here is what I propose.

Take a Fiddleback knife of your choosing and make a sheath for it. Do what you want - make it the way YOU want to.

Post up pics of the knife and sheath combo when finished and let's see what we come up with. I am sure everyone would have feedback - give kudos or suggestions - what have you. But this would allow you to be a little creative - maybe try something you have been thinking about - or - hell - give you the courage to make your first sheath yourself (Really - who cares if it turns into a dog toy when you are done - you will have learned a ton and loved being more self sufficient).

What do you say? Who wants in on this fun little contest. The winner gets 5 knives of Andy's (okay - I made that part up) - but I am sure the 'winner' will feel all proud and stuff and get hearty e-handshakes from all of us.

Here are the parameters as I see them.

Post picture of knife.
Give story of your intent of the sheath and your vision of it.
Post any sketches or process pics if you have them.
Post picture of combo with your final thoughts on the process and the outcome.

Who is in?

TF

 

[solid4ever]

I'm game

 

[Paul Brach]

It is possible that I will be in out of necessity, unless I decide to let a better man (Rlo) do it right!

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Nice Solid. I think you have bent leather before. Care to post a 'benchmark' picture - so we can see where you are starting at. It will be a cool thing to share I think.

There will be no judgement in this thread - just fun and positive feedback (even if it is a suggestion here or there).

TF

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Paul Brach,

Do both - all of us can help. I made a tutorial that will help - if you want to drive to Houston - I will help you make one.

Make your own - maybe even use it - or giggle at it - and then order one. Who cares?

Let us know.

TF

 

[solid4ever]

I'll post a bunch of stuff tonight. I'm stuck at work. I have a small pic in the sticky thread "fiddleback pics" of a horizontal carry sheath I made for my bushfinger. Unfortunately I don't have any "process" pics of that one but I'm expecting my fiddleback friday bushcrafter in the mail next week and I have 3 or 4 ideas about a custom sheath for that one.

 

[solid4ever]

Here's a piece I did for my bushfinger (currently my favorite blade)



I can't ever find a comfortable spot on my belt for a vertical hang sheath. It just invariably is always in my way. I started doing crossdraw pieces a couple years ago and loved it. You can hang it strong side, weak side, every reverse on the small of your back. Because it was a filddleback (and gorgeous) I added a leather wrap that goes through en eyelet so when I'm mid hike, I can actually tie up the fiddleback in the sheath. Once I set up camp I don't keep it tied...it's fits in and locks up real well but with it being horizontal, I just didn't want to take any chances.


My only dislike on this sheath is that I still don't have a belt sander to get my edges really crisp. You can see one or two bumps along the burnishing line that a vertical belt sander would make clean. I use a little dremel. Works well but not as precise.

 

[Paul Brach]

Paul Brach,

Do both - all of us can help. I made a tutorial that will help - if you want to drive to Houston - I will help you make one.

Make your own - maybe even use it - or giggle at it - and then order one. Who cares?

Let us know.

TF

Well, its not that I haven't made a sheath before..... I just prefer not to.www.brachknives.com

 

[Rick Lowe]

Pretty cool idea, Tal! I'd be willing to offer tips, potential "how to's", and any help participants might need as they progress. Would also enjoy seeing what guys are doing. It's amazing how much can be learned through others work.

solid4ever-I don't use a belt sander on edges. Only thing I have is a 6" vertical disc sander. Works well. A Dremel drum helps a bunch when you have tight curves, just don't let it dig in.

 

[solid4ever]

That's for the tip, Rick. Yeah I'm thinking about buying a dremel "stand" so that I can at least keep either the dremel or the leather stationary. having both free lends itself to small catches.

 

[solid4ever]

This was one of my wackier ideas...

I don't really like vertical carry sheaths. I became a big fan of crossdraws and from that, got this crazy idea of carrying a larger knife in the style of a low slung saber.

I created this "Survival Scabbard" for a SOG Creed. It hangs really really well (but I quickly realized it's not really practical for camp). There's a cylinder case at the base for matches, tinder, water tabs, etc.. The sheath pouch fits a whistle, a flashlight, and a sharpening stone perfectly...there's a small firesteel loop on it as well. It's meant to be carried on your left side for a right handed cross draw (like a dress saber)

I'm still not utterly convinced it's a waste though... perhaps making it hang a bit higher on the hip and making the space a bit more efficient, I'd kinda like to try this again with a Fiddleback Camp knife. Instead of a pouch on the front, a piggybacked sheath for a bushboot or a runt.

 

[Paul Brach]

Wow! That is a lot of stuff in a knife sheath. I was thinking I would just put a knife in mine. Perhaps with an extra strap I can get a sleeping bag in mine or a camp stove or something.....

 

[solid4ever]

Hardy har har! I came to that realization too Paul. When I started I thought this would be the ONLY thing I'd need for a day hike or something. Seemed like a great idea at the time...

 

[chainring]

This should be fun to watch - I have great respect for leather smiths. Heck, I have enough trouble with kydex....

 

[TPVT]

hey Tal. is there a timeframe you have in mind? making a sheath is quick enough. i just need to find a recluse.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Rick - you have to be in too!

TPVT - what do we say - end of April?

TF

 

[jaymack9100]

Could you lend me a knife so that I can participate?

 

[TPVT]

Rick - you have to be in too!

TPVT - what do we say - end of April?

TF

i'll see what i can do. thanks for the thread.

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Paul Brach - you ass. I would say you have made a sheath or two!

Isn't it the case though - MOST blade makers that I know HATE bending leather.

TF

 

[blood604]

My sheath are naked, just vegetable tanned. M first sheath making attempt, was for my Black on black w/ blue pin scandi bushcrafter.

My second and third were for my xmas presents, that when with my full height grind rust burlap bushfinger (forgot to take pic of knife beside sheath before I gifted it); and my wenge saber grind bushcrafter(which was my favorite fiddleback!) I made a new bushcrafter pattern; they are not quite finished in these pics, wet forming and finishings...

Here second bushcrafter is completed.

Sheath for my antiqued canvas scandi recluse and bolstered scandi terassaur where next, also make over xmas...

Still want to tweak some, but I'm happy with the bushcrafter and recluse. Have to make more yet, just need the time, become scandi hiking buddy and curley cue hunter...

I keep meaning to grab some D-rings and make danglers too.