leather sheathmakers, newbie needs help

[Midget]

hey sheathmakers, i have been reading some tutorials on how to make leather sheaths. i have some experience with kydex, although they don't turn out as well as i'd like because i lack some necessary tools (bandsaw, belt sander, drill press would be nice).


but i'd like to give leather a try. i ordered a piece of leather from texasknife, which should be here any day now.


my question is, what kind of thread should i use to stitch it up? i read to use waxed twine, but i'm unsure where i can get this material. i guess i need to hit up the local arts/crafts store. is there something better i can use than twine? and does anyone know of any retail chains that carry it? thanks!

(i'm almost certain i'll be in here again with more questions)

 

[Ebbtide]

Look for Tandy Leather online.
They have the thread, needles and everything else you can possibly need

 

[STR]

Hobby Lobby has a good $10 hand threader with the thread already on it that works great. I've used that kit to make hundreds of sheaths. Not a bad thread either. I usually use super glue to hold the leather where I want it, and a stanley knife to cut it, and I most always use the smallest punch on my good one to pop the stitch holes in the thicker spacer piece you use to protect the blade and keep it from poking through. It makes stitching it by hand a lot easier that way. Use a pencil to mark all your holes that you punched from the inner piece and come in from the front to the rear so that if you get off line in your threading it will not be so evident since you will have greater control over it on the first push through.

I am not a pro at it by any stretch of the imagination but its a lot of fun working with leather and I've also found that the Hobby Lobby wood burning kit is fun to use on leather also for getting creative with designs or initials.

STR

 

[Midget]

cool, thanks for the links to the online supply stores, guys.

quick question on wet forming leather... i read that i should soak the leather in warm water for a little while, and it should get very soft and malleable.

i soaked the leather and it is extremely stiff.

where did i go wrong?

 

[Ebbtide]

Did you let it get dry again?
Try running it under water till the bubbles stop coming out.
The put it in a ziplock, in the fridge overnight.
It should be like clay the next day...watch those fingernails.
Here is a tutorial that I did, I hope it helps
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/cache/articles/ebb1/ebbsheath1.htm
(Lots of great info on that site too)
My tutorial was meant to show how easy it is to get started, it is not the end all on leather work, for that do a search for the pros, like Wild Rose or Sandy Morrisey.
I'm still learning from each sheath I make.
Give it a shot, have fun