Iconic leather work

Matthew Gregory

Matthew Gregory

Chief Executive in charge of Entertainment
Joined
Jan 12, 2005
Messages
6,395
Everyone has their own thoughts on how a leather sheath ought to work, or how it ought to be made. I’ve had more than a couple sheaths from legendary makers like Kenny Rowe, Paul Long, and Sandy Morrissey, factory leather work from companies like Randall and Kabar, even one or two from Bladeforum’s own Lorien Lorien , but some of my favorites are from Gary W. Graley Gary W. Graley .


This one comes to mind. Gary was gracious enough to make this one for me for my JD Ellis slipjoint. I’m a southpaw, which explains why it’s backwards for most of you.


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Fit and finish is impeccable, and his wet forming locks the knife in like a proverbial bank vault.




Who makes your favorites, and why?
 
Burt Foster is another one. In fact, I’d argue that Burt’s leather is among the best in the world. His consistency and sense of form is perfection. Here’s one he made for a knife I made:


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…and the sheaths he made for our collaboration blades:

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Rick Marchand’s work is the same. Freakishly well executed work. This is what he made for our collaboration blade during Covid, “Quarantanto”:


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My bride is no slouch, either. She’s got a wonderful sense of flow.


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Matthew Gregory said:
Everyone has their own thoughts on how a leather sheath ought to work, or how it ought to be made. I’ve had more than a couple sheaths from legendary makers like Kenny Rowe, Paul Long, and Sandy Morrissey, factory leather work from companies like Randall and Kabar, even one or two from Bladeforum’s own Lorien Lorien , but some of my favorites are from Gary W. Graley Gary W. Graley .


This one comes to mind. Gary was gracious enough to make this one for me for my JD Ellis slipjoint. I’m a southpaw, which explains why it’s backwards for most of you.


Z63_0408-L.jpg




Z63_0406-L.jpg




]
Z63_0407-L.jpg





Fit and finish is impeccable, and his wet forming locks the knife in like a proverbial bank vault.




Who makes your favorites, and why?
Click to expand...
G2 is the past master of the molded folder sheath!
 
I’m a big fan of Chad Pirtle’s work. The functional style appeals to me, and the quality is second to none.
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Lorien’s not bad for a noob. ;)
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And I always appreciate a maker who offers a quality leather sheath. Matt your leather over aluminum kwaiken sheath was super cool. Had one from Ben Seward like that, and I was impressed.

Marchand here with a rustic finish I love. Philip Dunn with a quality piece below.
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Thanks Matt, I remember that folder, it is exceptional!

And this thread also reminded me of another one;

Now, while I do not take on fixed blade sheath work, for several reasons, occasionally one just needs to be made, as my friend Matthew Gregory Matthew Gregory finished up one of the cast cobalt blades from David Boye as seen in this thread at this link that I needed to make a right handed sheath to carry it and the guard was large so it required a few layers of leather to make it work right, for me at least so it was a bit thick to hand sew through but came out nice. Also did the neatsfoot oil treatment on this as well.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr










The knife is retained by a small arc of the welt and a shelf of leather prevents the blade from going too far, has a snug fit up and with the wider opening it makes for an easier way to return the knife to the sheath, no fussing around locating that opening to return the knife back safely.

I ended up returning this to Matt who in turn gifted the knife and sheath to another friend of his....Matt's like that don't ya know? ;)

Thanks again Matt !
G2
 
Last edited:
Gary W. Graley said:
Thanks Matt, I remember that folder, it is exceptional!

And this thread also reminded me of another one;

Now, while I do not take on fixed blade sheath work, for several reasons, occasionally one just needs to be made, as my friend Matthew Gregory Matthew Gregory finished up one of the cast cobalt blades from David Boye as seen in this thread at this link that I needed to make a right handed sheath to carry it and the guard was large so it required a few layers of leather to make it work right, for me at least so it was a bit thick to hand sew through but came out nice. Also did the neatsfoot oil treatment on this as well.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr










The knife is retained by a small arc of the welt and a shelf of leather prevents the blade from going too far, has a snug fit up and with the wider opening it makes for an easier way to return the knife to the sheath, no fussing around locating that opening to return the knife back safely.

I ended up returning this to Matt who in turn gifted the knife and sheath to another friend of his....Matt's like that don't ya know? ;)

Thanks again Matt !
G2
Click to expand...
Using that oil deal as kinda a standard nowadays Gary?
 
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