Learning to make sheaths

[Brian.Evans]

I'm working on a couple knives, and I'd like to make a sheath or two for them. I've also got an idea for a combo leatherman/surefire sheath to wear while at work. Buying a custom means long waits and high prices.

I'd like to get into leather work, but I don't know the first thing about it. Can someone point me to some good resources? I'm not looking to do anything fancy at first, more just working pieces that will be worn everyday. I need to know how to get into it without spending $500 on every tool out there. I don't need everything, just the basics.

Thanks guys!

 

[rayban]

Is there a Tandy store near you? Google Tandy Leather Factory....great source for those just starting out. They have all the tools, leather, and instructional material you need.
A really great book is How to make Cases, Vol. 1, by Al Stohlman, ( you can find it on the Bay) the grand pooba of all things cowhide

 

[Diomedes Industries]

You need to search this thread - there are MULTIPLE excellent how-to's. Here is one I just made - which is about 10 posts below yours:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-pouch-sheath...-(picture-intensive-tutorial).

Should give you a huge headstart in making a sheath. Also - Ray gave you a great resource too - which I have a link to in my tutorial.

TF

 

[Brian.Evans]

I guess more what I'm looking for is these are the top five tools a person should use, don't waste your time getting a "whatever" because they don't work. Stuff like that.

Btw, I saw your WIP. I liked it. . Thanks for taking the time to do it.

 

[NoahL]

The suggestions you've already received are great ones! As for the "top 5 tools" question, I'm afraid you really need more than 5 tools. This is the absolute minimum for professional work that I can think of off the top of my head:

Sharp knife (Xacto knife, box cutter, head knife, hunting knife--as long as it's sharp and relatively thin, it'll work)
Harness needles (thick sewing needles with blunted tips)
Waxed thread (I prefer waxed artificial sinew or hemp thread, but everyone has their own preferences)
Sharp, small diamond cross-section awl (or you can chuck a harness needle in a drill press--I do both, depending on the situation)
Something to mark even distance between stitching holes (stitch markers from Tandy work just fine, but so does a fork)
Stitching groover (cuts a groove in the leather so that the stitching doesn't sit on top of the leather and wear out from rubbing on things)
Edge beveler (rounds off the edges of the leather--a #2 works well, but this is personal preference)
Contact cement (Masters Cement, Barge Cement, Weldwood--any of them will work very well)
Waterproofing agent (Sno-Seal, Montana Pitch Blend, Resolene, Saddle Lac--any of them will work but I prefer the wax-based ones)
Dye (this one's personal preference--the only one most people agree on is that Eco-Flow isn't very good)
Sanding tool (helps smooth out the edges of the leather before burnishing--I just use sand paper)
Burnishing tool (Google how to burnish leather because this is a skill in itself)