Leather Sheath Making- Help Needed!

bpiatt

bpiatt

Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
644
Sorry if I put this in wrong forum!

Well I found out a few days ago that my wife and I are being blessed with our second child! Awesome, I know, but this means money is going to get tight. So I decided I better order that Ratmandu I wanted so bad NOW rather than later. As you all know they do not come with sheaths...bummer. I've decided that I would like to try my hand at making a sweet leather sheath rather than purchase from a professional...and I want to do it right.

I am curious which leather I should buy, and where the best place to buy from would be. It would also be helpful if I was able to purchase all of the tooling I will be needing from the same place. I briefly tried googling all that I could but wasnt having much success finding what I wanted.

Which weight is best for a sheath? 9oz? Does it have to be tanned a certain way? I am not going to try and get all fancy with it, I just want a nice friction fit leather sheath with a loop to hold my fire steel. Once I buy the necessary supplies I will be back with pictures and be looking for suggestions.

Thanks for your time!
-Ben
 
Congrats on the upcoming birth!!!

I think that you need what we in my business call "expectation management".

With the right leather (noted accurately above) and just a few tools and supplies, you can make a very servicable sheath. However, if you are new to this, you may or may not be real keen on how it looks and fits.

One of the simplest designs is also one that would, for a beginner have both a high degree of likely success and look pretty good.

That would be to take your leather, cut it out roughly 2.5 times the width of your blade and fold it over. Then get your self some sort of rivets and run them up the side. I like copper rivets peened over a burr.

But Mr. Bad Example is right, you'll spend a fortune on the supplies needed to do anything more sophisticated. With the scheme I'v outlined, you would need only leather, rivets, a rivet setter, and a sharp knife...and then something to finish the leather with...like ArmourAll leather dressing, or SnoSeal.

Leather working is like golf...you step up to the ball and hit it towards the cup. It is the details that start bogging you down. These great sheaths you see on this forum are the result of years of practice.

I am not discouraging you at all, leatherwork is my favorite hobby...after knives :)
 
Been working crazy hours just not getting time to sit down and read this much appreciated advise from you guys. Thank you for the information. I am going to give this my best shot. Worst thing that could happen is that I spend some money and learn something. Ill post some pics of my escapade. Thanks again!
 
If Money , or lack of it is a factor, then you probably won't save anything by getting set up with tools and material to make your own. In fact it could wind up costing more than a professionally made sheath. This assumes a one time only consideration.

If you think you might enjoy leather work and pursue it as a worthwhile hobby, then I certainly think you should go ahead. It's not rocket science, but it is also something that has a steep learning curve and takes dedication and practice.

I would be happy to offer you assistance by way of phone or email if you like. By the way, you might visit the Sheaths and Such Forum at the bottom of the Related sub division.

Which ever way you decide, I wish you good luck and congratulations on the upcoming addition to the family.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
If Money , or lack of it is a factor, then you probably won't save anything by getting set up with tools and material to make your own. In fact it could wind up costing more than a professionally made sheath. This assumes a one time only consideration.

If you think you might enjoy leather work and pursue it as a worthwhile hobby, then I certainly think you should go ahead. It's not rocket science, but it is also something that has a steep learning curve and takes dedication and practice.

I would be happy to offer you assistance by way of phone or email if you like. By the way, you might visit the Sheaths and Such Forum at the bottom of the Related sub division.

Which ever way you decide, I wish you good luck and congratulations on the upcoming addition to the family.

Paul
Click to expand...

Well I was thinking that it would be more cost effective to make myself and be an enjoyable experience. After checking out the website Mr. Bad provided I am now reconsidering. It is going to cost me roughly 100 dollars for everything I need, plus I am going to need to use some equipment from work. I am going to shoot you an email and see if maybe you can make one for me. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top