KA-BAR sheath

R

robs456

Joined
Jul 5, 2005
Messages
24
I've just started working with leather so this is my first sheath, but when I saw the original sheath that came with the knife I just thought 'I can do better'.
In the end I think I did, and I learned a LOT along the way both by doing and reading these forums, so thanks to everyone who post here.
My first and definitely not my last sheath as I also learned that it's a lot of fun making them.

Some details:
-Slim and rectangular design for aesthetic and practical reasons.
-Eyelets for straps or paracord.
-Safety strap slightly offset to the left for easier draw and one-handed buttoning.
-Welt thicker at the top to accommodate the bulgy handle.
-Dark brown antiquing to match the handle of the knife.

Critique is welcome, and I'd especially appreciate some hints on how to do the edging so that the lines from the welt does not stand out so much (see second photo).

kabarsheathtop.jpg

kabarsheathside.jpg

kabarsheathknifebracele.jpg

kabarsheatholdandnew.jpg
 
For a first sheath, that is really not bad.. My first couple of sheaths went immediately into the garbage can! Ok, may I suggest that you 'break' the corners just a tad.. just kinda round them off.. easier on the eye, may eliminate the corner digging into your side or leg.. not much in nature meets at 90 degree angles. As to your question on the lines on the welt... couple of thoughts here.. if you glued up the welt, you may have a glue line that soaked into the leather and will not absorb the dye. Limit your glue to a set back from the edge. Did you sand the welt edge followed by burnishing the edge? Sanding will smooth to a level surface and burnishing will further smooth and blend the various pieces together. Sometimes a little darker shade of dye will help make those lines disappear. I hope this helps..
 
jorasco312 said:
As to your question on the lines on the welt... couple of thoughts here.. if you glued up the welt, you may have a glue line that soaked into the leather and will not absorb the dye. Limit your glue to a set back from the edge. Did you sand the welt edge followed by burnishing the edge? Sanding will smooth to a level surface and burnishing will further smooth and blend the various pieces together. Sometimes a little darker shade of dye will help make those lines disappear. I hope this helps..
Click to expand...

Yup, you're right, I glued it all the way out. That would explain it then because I sanded and burnished like crazy, the individual pieces look like glass but the lines just wouldn't disappear.
Thanks for the tip, I will keep it in mind in the future.
 
Not bad at all.I would have used one piece of leather folded over to form the back and belt loop.
 
R.H.Clark said:
Not bad at all.I would have used one piece of leather folded over to form the back and belt loop.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
I tried the folded back and belt loop style but with the heavy leather I used the loop would be huge and I wanted to stick to the 'slim' theme of the design. It would also have been tough to put the eyelets in.
If sewing the belt loop together is a no-no in sheathmaking please let me know, I'm just starting out so I don't know these things yet.
 
Good solid construction, but if that KaBar is used the way it's meant to be, those 90 degree sharp corners are gonna take a beating, I would suggest you round them off some.
 
Thanks guys.
I see your point regarding the 90 degree corners, and like jorasco said above 'not much in nature meets at 90 degree angles'. Very true.
Thanks for your feedback.
 
robs456 said:
Thanks.
I tried the folded back and belt loop style but with the heavy leather I used the loop would be huge and I wanted to stick to the 'slim' theme of the design. It would also have been tough to put the eyelets in.
If sewing the belt loop together is a no-no in sheathmaking please let me know, I'm just starting out so I don't know these things yet.
Click to expand...

You can wet the leather well before the bend and get a compact loop. In fact you need to wet it some anyway or it might crack.Just put the eyelets in before you fold it over.

Yours will probably not give you any trouble but it is just a weak point and in a place where a belt could rub and wear the stitches.
 
Thanks for the tip, I will do some experimentation with different leather weights.
Will it help to thin the fold area as well, or will that affect looks and strength negatively?
 
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