Latigo as knife sheath leather?

T

TCLeather

Joined
Mar 4, 2006
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Hi, this is my first post and I've tried very hard to place it in the right forum-- if there's a more appropriate location, please let me know.

I'm a leather artisan who recently switched from making utilitarian handbags to tool belts and knife sheaths. I'm currently making three knife sheaths for the blacksmith I took an intro. to blacksmithing class from last week. I'd love to make his sheaths from latigo, the heavy brown waxed leather that bridles and such are made from. Does anyone have feedback regarding latigo as knife sheath material? He makes stainless steel and damascus fixed blades with wooden handles. I make sheaths already from oil tanned leather lined with English kip, and from veg tanned leather, but latigo is so appealing-- unless of course there are obvious reasons not to use it that I'm not yet aware of.

Thank you!
 
Latigo makes a great sheath! The knifemakers in Shop Talk are likely to have more info for you. :cool:

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Thank you! I was searching for a 'sheath' catagory, but wasn't sure exactly where sheaths fit in with being on or off-topic. Now I know!
 
Latigo works fine depending on the weight. Most average to small blades (3"-5") work well with 7/8oz. while bigger and heavier blades may require 9/10 oz. leather. Of course, this is a generalization and you can use what suits the project. I mostly use veg-tanned shoulders, but have used latigo as well.
Rick
 
Thank you for the feedback. It seemed like it should work, but since making these sheaths for the blacksmith is a really big step for me, I didn't want to just assume and then have it turn out that everyone but me knows you can't use latigo for whatever reason-- turns the blade green, or something... and then feel like an idiot : )

I have my pattern all figured out, and with any luck, I'll have pictures to post soon.
 
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