Kenny Rowe Leather

D

donovan

Joined
Oct 4, 1998
Messages
1,100
My work knife is a 3V Hawkbill made by Chuck Hallberg. The original sheath was getting a little worn so I was looking for a replacement. While I believe that there is a place for Kydex in this world, I also believe that it is not on my belt. :) So, I talked to Kenny Rowe at the Spirit of Steel show in Dallas and sent my knife on a mini-vacation to Hope, Arkansas. I gave Kenny some very generic guidelines, asked him to keep it under 50 bucks and trusted that his experience would take care of the rest. I wasn't at all disappointed. This is a very nice sheath. It has a basketweave design with a light reddish-brown tint that really goes great with the redwood handles. The stitching is even and tight. The blade is held securely, but draws and re-sheaths readily (not always easy with a hawkbill). Very high attention to detail all the way around. I guess my point is that while it does everything that you would expect a sheath to do it is also a work of art in it's own right. I certainly would highly recommend Kenny if you are thinking new sheath. Nice guy with a quick turnaround, too.

How nice is this sheath? My wife said I UNDER paid! :)

Jack
 
I have said this before, and mean it. Kenny Rowe is a leatherworking God. There are many people who make nice sheaths, but I find Kenny to be one of the best and he is one heck of a nice guy too. His phone number is:

(870) 777-8216
 
One of Gus' sheaths that I stole. :D
Kenny made it for a knife that John Fitch made.
 

Attachments

  • rowe.jpg
    rowe.jpg
    36.4 KB · Views: 229
I've got a feeling that my new baby will be riding in a Kenny Rowe sheath.

Here is a pic of the beauty:

hd2.jpg


Wont she look great in a quality leather sheath?
 
Donovan. try and get a pic of that knife and sheath up I'm not sure I've ever seen a hawksbill fixed blade and sheath (ok so i'm a super newbie sue me):) What chores and stuff do you use your hawksbill for? that's my favorite work blade and i'm always looking for new things that a hawksbill can do. Shootist is that a Ken Onion fixed blade? the blade looks pretty close to my Boa. the Recurve is my second favorite blade to use and the nicest one to look at. that is one awesome looking knife. can you give us some specs on it maybe in another dedicated thread (no use stealing Kenny's thunder):)
 
Donovan, I would also like to see a pic of your new sheath. I have several made by Kenny and have even been to his shop a couple of times. Kenny does excellant work and is a great guy to boot. I also wear a Kenny Rowe belt everyday.
 
Sorry that is a Blackwood knife. stupid me I just saw his site. That is one of the nicest looking fixed blade knives that I have ever seen
 
It is a Neil Blackwood Neck Ninja HD. This knife measures 7 1/2" OAL, with a 3 5/8" blade. The material is 5/32" D2. Features include a hand rubbed finish, tapered/drilled tang, milled thumb serrations, stabilized spalted maple with red spacers, mosaic pins, stainless pins and lanyard hole.

Here is a pic of the other side.

Does this knife deserve a quality leather sheath or what?
 

Attachments

  • hd1.jpg
    hd1.jpg
    53.2 KB · Views: 166
I recommend a crossdraw sheath set at an angle. Maybe a little rattlesnake inlay?
 
Kenny made a Pin Lock sheath for a John M Smith American Wilderness survival knife I have. It is of excellent quality and the Pin Lock is great on big blades. the fit is super and John thought it was tight but I found that you had to have the spine of the blade tight to the top of the sheath and the knife slid in like it was greased.- Dick
 
Hey Don...

donovan scribbled..

""While I believe that there is a place for Kydex in this world, I also believe that it is not on my belt.""

Hey I take offence to that..:)

Maybe you don't think kydex belongs on your belt,, because you've never really had a good synthetic sheath..:) :)

Send me a blade (Not a Hawkbill) and I'll show you what a good sheath is all about..:)

Opps,,one thing I forgot to mention is that I own a Kenny Rowe sheath,,and its Very nicely done..
Not bad for Dead Critter..:)

ttyle

Eric...
 
Well, if it will make you feel any better, Eric, I do favor kydex for neck knives. :) Otherwise, it is just one of those intangibles. I prefer leather to kydex, I prefer wood to micarta or G10. These materials have a "feel" that appeals to me and I'm willing to sacrifice some of the potential benefits of synthetics for the pleasure I receive from using the naturals. I'll keep you in mind though for the next time I need to re-sheath a necker. :)

I appreciate all the feedback and thanks to everyone who posted a pic. I'll try to get one of my own up this weekend.

Jack
 
I'll through my opinion in about leather versus kydex.

Kydex is damn near impossible to beat for functionality. With the advent of different designs, like carbon fiber, kydex can even look good. I generally prefer kydex for a working and or tactical knife.

Some knives really call for leather though. As much as I love kydex a beautiful leather sheath seems classier.

There is a place for both mediums. They both excel at different tasks.
 
I should have mentioned that my Rowe Pin Lock is Kydex lined, the best of both worlds. All my leather sheaths on double edge blades are now Kydex lined after a Sigman (440V)sharpened on the swedge went right thru the sheath, no injury but I learned a lot.- Dick
 
Gorgeous Blackwood Shootist! And thanks to all those that posted information about Kenny.., some really nice work!!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top