Intervention

[tito]

I hate making knife sheaths. I feel like a one trick pony when it comes to decorating them. I see a lot of sheaths these days with impressive tooling and dying techniques. Does anyone have any resources for this? I took a big step forward with Chuck's video, but my old basket weave tooling makes me feel like I'm going to the rodeo every time. I would like to achieve a look that's "timeless," or at least one that proclaims less profusely, "yeehaw!"

Please help soon because this is ruining my life. I can't sleep. I've stopped drinking. I didn't speed on the way to work this morning because I was too preoccupied thinking about it. Well, that's a lie, but you get the point...I don't know how much longer I can hold out...

 

[DAMNENG]

Tandy Leather
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/Leather.asp
carries several kits that have the necessary tools and instructional materials. They also carry a raft of written material on leather carving and tooling. There used to be magazine called "Leathercraftman", that gave hints and designs each month. It is no longer in existence, but you might find it in a library archives. Try a search on "Al Stohlman" he has written many manuals on the subject.
Jim Arbuckle
ABS JS

 

[tito]

gracias

 

[Raymond Richard]

For 14 years I have been making knives but when it comes to making sheaths its like I'm missing that gear. Other than maybe doing a buckskin wrap with a little fringe once in a blue moon my sheaths have as much decoration as my bald head. I'll post a picture of the sheath I made for Jumbo about a week ago. Jumbo is no ordinary big knife. He's huge. The blade alone is 17 7/8" and 3 1/2" at its widest. It took half a hide to make the sheath and there was one huge bald spot. I did some brain storming and had a number of brain farts before I came up with this idea. It may not be the best idea but this is what I did.

 

[ddavelarsen]

Ray that's great!!!

 

[tito]

so you're saying you'll do all my sheaths?

 

[DC KNIVES]

Paul Long is the master of stamping imho, so you might ask him, he goes by Sheathmaker here.Most of my work is inlays and tooling but what works for me is guidelines.Dampen the leather and lay your guideline on VERY lightly with a sharp point such as a compass or if you are doing a dark or black sheath use a red pen lightly.This will give you guidelines to make your stamping more symetrical.Dave

 

[Esav Benyamin]

We have a new forum here called Sheaths & Such where you can also go for information and advice.

 

[happycat]

I can identify. I've been making knives for 11 years now and I just this year did my first sheath decoration. I caught myself yelling at some poor guy at a festival who had the audacity to ask me if I could make a sheath for a knife he had at home. I snapped " NO! Leather work is a necessary evil I put up with so I can sell my knives!"
Having heard that from my own lips, got me thinking "Wow, that's pretty grim.....". I thought, " Maybe if I make the sheath part of the art rather than a utilitarian chore I might actually like doing them...". I can sympathize with Tito's lack of enthusiasm for YeeHa. One of the reasons I hadn't gotten into leather working until recently was that most of the examples I had seen of intricate work were that southwestern floral cowboy stuff.
I've got nothing against any of that its just that I'm from Pennsylvania, never been to a rodeo or even on a horse for that matter and I just don't identify with cowboy, western anything. I can appreciate the talent, the beauty of it etc, just have no interest in it myself.
So I started looking for other styles that I could get excited about and became mildly obsessed with celtic knotwork designs. I bought some books on it, and had at it. I've only made a few carved sheaths so far, but they came out pretty good, and I enjoyed making them for a change.
So to sum up a long and meandering post: Find some art or designs that speak to you and try and work em into a sheath. Now, for me its part of the fun.
Ed

 

[tito]

Wow, thanks for all the great information guys.

Maybe if I make the sheath part of the art rather than a utilitarian chore I might actually like doing them..."

I think you are 100% right happycat.

It does feel good when I finish one, though. I just hate to start one I'll work on that...

 

[DC KNIVES]

Well maybe you all should think of a knife and sheath as a package deal and it would be easier.Both should compliment each other.I have always liked doing both knives and sheaths but, in the last few years I am now doing sheaths for others more than making knives.Its a very important part of the process and if you aren't ready, willing, and able to step up to it, maybe you should look for a custom sheathmaker, as it will help sell your knives.Dave

 

[Mike Fennessy]

I've started leaving out most of the tooling and just putting a groove around the edge. I like that look a lot better for most knives.