Leather neck knife sheath

[dsmegst]

Hi,

I just started to fool around with leather sheath making and I wanted to make a neck sheath for my Spyderco Swick.

I have an Izula with a factory plastic sheath that allows the knife to be carried tip-up, but I'm at a loss as to how a leather sheath can be made in the same tip-up orientation. I think I can do a tip-down sheath fairly easily since blade retention is not as critical, but I really want a tip-up sheath. I thought about adding a snap to the front, but that seems like a bulky solution. Is there a way to stiffen the leather and harden the surface to make a reliable retention system similar to something in kydex?

My thought is to use two thinner leather pieces, 3-4 oz or so, insert a button or some plastic disc in between to create a locking bump. Since the Swick has the big finger hole, it could act as a lock. Good idea? Or am I asking for trouble?

I'd really like to hear some opinions. Or if you have better solutions I might try, I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Martin Swinkels]

You could add a kydex liner for retention..

It's not difficult.. PM me for more info if you're up to a challenge..

 

[rayban]

I'm in the process of finishing a knife for a similar sheath, and I plan to insert a magnet in the back layer of leather at the tip.
I'll post pix as I progress with it..

 

[dsmegst]

Magnet is a cool idea. I'd have never thought to try that. I haven't tried playing with kydex yet but I have a few sheets and a heat gun on order so I'm up for it.

Thanks for the tip. PM inbound regarding kydex liners

 

[rayban]

I forgot all about taking pictures as I made this, (I'll be making one for my Izula next so I'll try to remember) but I used a magnet found in discarded hard drives.
This one is about 1/16" thick, about 3/4" x 1 and it is quite strong. It takes about as much force to pull the knife out of the sheath as with retention built into the welt.
The knife is a Fiddleback RUNT blade dressed in G10.

 

[dsmegst]

Well, here's my result, I hope you guys like it. I need to finish off the edges but it's done otherwise. I made a double layer back with a plexiglass tab sewn in. I really like the magnet idea since I have some old HDs so I may try it. I have another swick waiting for a sheath. The retention is similar to my Izula with its factory sheath so I feel it's good enough.

Did some more finishing work: (Before and After)

 

[dsmegst]

Forgot to add,

The kydex I ordered is here but I don't have the heat gun yet. I'm going to try a few experiments with kydex and leather when the heat gun is delivered. Thanks for looking!