Leather Sheath Making

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brouschef

Joined
Jul 29, 2009
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Hello Everyone, I am planning out my first leather sheath. In my research I have seen people use what I believe are called rivets (to usually secure the corners of the sheath only, and stitching would secure the rest.)

I prefer the look of no rivets, but I am unsure of their importance. Are rivets vital to making a quality sheath or can they be left out?

(I have purchase some good sturdy leather and stitching materials from my local tack/saddle shop. I believe these should be good.)

I am a beginner at this craft so ANY advice or recommended website is welcome. Thank you, Vince
 
brouschef said:
Hello Everyone, I am planning out my first leather sheath. In my research I have seen people use what I believe are called rivets (to usually secure the corners of the sheath only, and stitching would secure the rest.)

I prefer the look of no rivets, but I am unsure of their importance. Are rivets vital to making a quality sheath or can they be left out?

(I have purchase some good sturdy leather and stitching materials from my local tack/saddle shop. I believe these should be good.)

I am a beginner at this craft so ANY advice or recommended website is welcome. Thank you, Vince
Click to expand...
Hi Vince,
Here is a great site for leather, it should answer any questions you have, and welcome to this site...Tom
http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showforum=29
 
The rivets have two purposes. One is decorative, and the other is a structural integrity redundency if the sheath is made well. Most people I know that use rivets do so because they like the look.

If your sheath is well made with a proper welt (contact cemented and stitched through) to protect the stitching, there is no need for rivets unless you want the look.

There's a video by Chuck Burrows (Wild Rose) that is sold by Center Cross Instructional Videos, and it is one of the most informative and helpful videos I have found. If you're able, I HIGHLY recommend the video. I'm positive anyone here who has seen or owns the video would agree.

--nathan
 
I have not used a rivit on the upper portion but I do a triple stitch, go down 3 holes, back up to the top and then back down to complete the stitching and I end my thread on the bottom of the sheath. This is pretty strong with a good stitching thread and I have not seen any problems.
 
I also either double or tripple stitch the upper holes at the sheath opening for reinforcement. Good point, Patrick.

--nathan
 
silver_pilate said:
There's a video by Chuck Burrows (Wild Rose) that is sold by Center Cross Instructional Videos, and it is one of the most informative and helpful videos I have found. If you're able, I HIGHLY recommend the video. I'm positive anyone here who has seen or owns the video would agree.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
It is a must have!

Patrice
 
Most of my sheaths have rivets... at least two of them, unless I am going for a certain look. I mostly make user sheaths and my testing has proven to me that a blade will cut through leather and stitching no matter what your stitch pattern is. I place a solid copper rivet at the mouth and just up from the tip on the blade. Obviously the blade shape and sheath style dictates where I put my rivets. Think or the rivets as trapping the knife, should it begin to cut through the stitching.

I test my sheaths by pushing down on the butt of the knife while in the sheath. Then I simulate the top of the handle getting snagged from several different directions. Without rivets, the sheaths failed. I had no failures when rivets were used.

Most sheaths don't need to be that tough, I agree. 90% of the time, stitching is just fine.

Rick
 
Don't know how the leather you have was tanned.Some methods will cause a blade to rust more.I know veg tanned is safe.
 
I'm no expert, but I often use rivets for the look and strength. But it is certainly optional if you reinforce the stress points with additional stitching.

If you do use rivets, you will find that they are rarely the right length for your leather. So grind them down to the correct length before beating the rivets together. Otherwise, you will make a mess ad wreck the sheath trying to get the rivets apart. Ask me how I know...

Phil 705
Winthrop WA
 
Ummmm forgot to mention and apparently most of us don't know.... there's a sheath forum on here with a lot of the top leather guys in the world hanging out there. Look under the "general" tab and scroll to the bottom. :)
 
Thanks everyone, this is all a very big help. I can already tell that this craft will be, at least, a hobby for life. I will post pictures when complete. -Vince
 
If made correctly rivets are not needed. They do add a look that may match the knife , but a sheath can be made plenty strong without needing rivets.
 
John T Wylie Jr said:
If made correctly rivets are not needed. They do add a look that may match the knife , but a sheath can be made plenty strong without needing rivets.
Click to expand...


I will agree that some designs do not need rivets if you can address the downward push and side pull (edge side, especially) issues. Positive stops (not just wetforming) at the guard/bolster can remedy pushing through... which rules out most pouch sheaths.
 
I believe I read or heard that a common point of failure in old sheaths when they wear out is the rivets. I know I've seen leather fatigue and tear out around rivets, especially if the leather dries out. This may be one of those potāto/potăto things.

I have noted in my perusing the forums of folks knife and sheath photos, very few rivets in contemporary sheaths, but a plethera of them in rawhide, historic and reenactment sheaths. That's not to say they are not used in modern sheaths. I have seen them used beautifully, just not as often as not.
 
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