Is it worth learning how to make sheath to increase the selling price of knives?

Walking Man

Walking Man

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Hi, everyone.
I just ordered some material, and I'm going to build some homemade sheaths in order to increase the selling value of some of my knives, and who knows, maybe make a little extra $$$ on the side.
What do you guys think? Does the value of knives increase significantly with a sheath? I've heard a number of people say that they won't buy a knife without a sheath, but does the type of sheath really matter as long as iit's decent and functional? (not great, but decent?)
 
Yes, for a few reasons -- one practical, one perceptual, and one personal. But as you say, the sheath has to be "decent and functional" as a baseline.

The practical reason is that it provides the new owner with instant housing for the knife both during and on the way home from the show (assuming the knife is sold at a show). That same housing for the knife should also provide carry for it during hunting, camping, etc trips (i.e. in the knife's intended arena of operation).

The perceptual reason is the "value added" convenience that you are providing with a complete package solution. Including the sheath with a knife, you are selling the buyer a turn-key "ready to roll" commodity. Your knife is thus not a starting point for a project that will require more time (sending/giving knife to a sheathmaker long enough to have new pants made for it) and more money (paying the sheathmaker enough to give your knife back ;) ) on the part of your initial buyer. The convenience that your sheath is providing has a value in the selling equation. Also, your price for a sheath as part of a package is very likely to be less than the price charged by a single-function sheathmaker. Your bread & butter profit comes from the knife itself (but don't short your profit margin on the sheath manufacture due to that fact), whereas the sheathmaker has to clear more profit since that is his b&b profit item.

The personal reason is the satisfaction of learning a new skill and mastering the materials & techniques that it requires. Whether you make leather or kydex or cordura sheaths, some of those skills can translate to other activities or areas of your life. By learning to make sheaths you have expanded your experience base and have a new frame of reference for further learning, even in unrelated subjects.

All that said, there are reasons why many knifemakers don't make sheaths. The skill sets for making knives and sheaths are different.... some knifemakers just don't like what the sheathmaking entails or aren't drawn to learn (or aren't blessed naturally with) the perequisite skillset. Thus for them it is worthwhile to either subcontract it out to the pro's or sell pantless knives with the understanding on the buyer's part that they will have to track down their own sheath for the knife.

Sheath making (like most other things in life) is a matter of practice. The more sheaths you make, the better and quicker you get at making them. The guys who do it for a living will likely always be able to make a better sheath and make it quicker, but will also be charging a premium price for doing so since their expertise with their material is higher.
 
It's really hard to sell a knife without a sheath. With a little practice and the right tools, you'll be making sheath with the best of them.

Good luck

AL P
 
Thanks for the words, gentlemen!
Mr. Polkowski, I didn't realize you frequented these forums!
I really like your work.
 
I think a nice sheath adds to the value of a knife and it allows the owner the option of wearing it right away. I've seen knives I've really admired, but I passed because they were being sold without a sheath. The last thing I want to do is get a new blade and have to send it away to have a sheath made for it.
 
Here's a follow up question.....
How important is the type of sheath that the knife comes with?
That is, what material that it is made out of.
Thanks.
 
I am not a craftsman so take this for what its worth. I wouldn't learn to create sheaths because I had to. If you have the desire to expand your reportoire, more power to you. However, as a bladesmith, if sheaths hold no personal attraction, find another craftsman whose passion is creating clothes for your blades. Whether you combine skills for a complete package, or you refer your customers to his shop, whatever. This way your customer ends up with a custom knife and a custom sheath, both endowed with "heart and soul" by their respective creator. Didn't intend to get "preachy", just illustrating the point of do it because you want to, not because you feel you need to. My $.02
 
I have made both kydex and leather sheaths starting from scratch and only with the desire to do so. It sure makes ordering those Busses more palatable knowing that you can make a sheath for one in short order. Cliff has more or less convinced me to prefer making leather sheaths what with limitations of kydex in very cold conditions though. Leather sheaths are less noisy than kydex also. The trade off is I can make a kydex sheath in about 1/10 of the time it takes for a decent leather one.

You'll do fine once ya get started. Not sure though if it makes much difference in the long run to buyers of blades what the sheath is made of. Best to know how to work with a couple of different materials and combinations of materials in any case. Good luck!
 
condahaw said:
The trade off is I can make a kydex sheath in about 1/10 of the time it takes for a decent leather one.
Click to expand...

Quality always takes time. Kydex seems suited to the modern tactical knife in viewpoint. I can't imagine something from Cashen or similar makers in plastic though, it just seems wrong on so many levels. It would be similar to Zytel grips or a powder coating.

-Cliff
 
Good point Eyegor. I've bought knives that came with Kenny Rowe and Dan Schevers sheathes and have been very happy with the total package. The sheath makers are every bit the artists that the bladesmiths are.
 
I happen to be a Kydex/Concealex fan, but on large outdoor knives, I can definitely see the use for leather.
 
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