Knife sheath leather

[akennedy73]

You guys who make your own knife sheaths - where do you buy your leather? And what's a good weight for knife sheaths? 7-8 oz?

thanks! :thumbup:

 

[CShepherd]

I usually get mine from Tandy Leather locally. Let's me pick it out. I've found that if you need to have it shipped, call one of the stores directly instead of ordering it online. If you talk to someone and tell them what you're doing, most of them are pretty good about finding you a good piece.

As for weight, I've used from 5-6 oz all the way up to 8-9 oz. Stay away from 8-9 oz unless it's a big chopper. Even them I prefer either around the 6-7 ounce. Plenty thick, yet easier to work with. No matter what weight you use, when you make the sheath put a welt (an extra thickness of leather to protect the stitching from the knife edge) in the construction. It is just another smaller, not thinner, layer where the stitching goes through.

Charlie

 

[mikeymoto]

I also buy from a local Tandy Leather store. I have used 7/8, 8/9, and 9/10. I prefer thinner for smaller knifes and thicker for the big uns. It's also helpful to have several weights around for making different thicknesses of welts and whatnot as needed. I've made a couple sheaths using very thin calf skin too...maybe 2/3 oz? But with a thick welt. It's different, and not hard use, but it works fine.

 

[Fiddleback]

I use 8/9 for almost everything. I get it from Siegel of Ca because of the price.