Andy, thanks for the intro!
My name is Heber Ellsworth (wildmanh) and operate HJE Leather in Central Utah. I'm a part time student (Monday through Thursday) and part time leather bender (Friday to Monday depending on the Monday) that hopes to go full time after I finish college. Am a big Outdoor Rec guy, into Camping, backpacking, shooting, hiking, biking, fishing and all that good stuff. Started making machete sheaths about 2.5 years ago. Know Andy throught the forums for years and am honored that he asked me to make sheaths for his knives.
Right now I make a line of universal machete sheaths. In other words, a 12" Sheath will fit a 12" tramontina or 12" Ontario or collins. I'll be coming up with a second line of machete sheaths just for Andy's Fiddleback machetes. Those should be coming out in about 2 week. Will try to keep a small inventory of populare sheaths on hand for people to buy. There are custom options for those that want to go that route and pricing is on my website below. Will keep you posted on when I get the line of Fiddleback sheaths going.
My website:
www.hjeleather.com Email:
wildmanh@yahoo.com Check it out and let me know what you think. Hope to have a phone number in the next few months.
Pricing for Machete Sheaths
Blade length Price
Up to 11" $25
12"-14" $30
15"-17" $35
18"-20" $40
20"+ Contact
Prices subject to change with out notice.
Sheaths are made from 8-10oz or 10-12oz Saddle skirting from Wichett & Craig. I use their Drum dyed leather in Brown, Chestnut and black. Right now I mostly hand sew the sheaths with Nylon thread, but can do linen of someone has to have it. Am in talks with a local boot maker to rent his Industrial stitcher, if that pans out, I'll be able to increase production.
Here are some examples of my work:
14" and 12" Machete sheaths in Chestnut, front:
Back side:
Low Ride Pancake sheath for Becker BK-5 in chestnut
Back side:
Esee Lite Machete sheath in Chestnut:
Back side:
Pancake sheath for Esee-4 in Brown:
Back Side:
Pancake style sheath for SOG Tigershark in brown
Backside
In the pictures you probably noticed a tie down strap on my Machete sheaths. This is standard on all Machete sheaths. You can thread 1" or even 2" straps through the loops for leg straps, to lash the sheath to your pack or what ever else tickles your fancy. Some customers have used the straps to lash their sheaths to their Four-wheelers or saddles.
Retaining/keeper straps are normally attached with Chicago screws. This allows you the customer to change out your strap if it breaks, you fit a custom handle or what not. I use Nickel hardware, but will be offering brass as a custom option in the near future. The current options for custom work are on my website.
Let me know if you want more information/pictures and feel free to contact me about anything. I look forward to working with all of you. Thanks!
