Leather sheaths, how many mistakes have you made?

This one was going well. Nice wet form and the knife fit perfectly with great retention.

But, it is backwards ... Imagine my surprise when this revelation came to light.....

The stitching holes went crazy of course. I'm having the hardest time making straight lines, lol. The chisels just don't like three layers of leather. I've been looking at other punches.

To the scrap pile.
20230319_124329~2.jpg
 
One thing I do is to use a small ruler and an awl to scratch a line to follow with my stitching prongs and with thick layers I’ll go back through with an awl to hammer the rest of the way through
and around corners I'll lightly pencil in a line to follow with my stitching prongs, this one ended up being a two prong by default as the other two ended up with metal fatigue that you could wiggle the prongs like a loose tooth! so it is used to work my way around corners when needed

29 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

IMG_0496 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

This sheath when I fold down the back to become the belt loop, will end up with 4 layers of leather to sew through...

IMG_1973 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

IMG_1995 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Buck_110- by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2
 
Last edited:
Rule #1 about mistake club, never show your mistakes lol.

I’ve made so many mistakes I’ve wanted to give up at times.
The plateaus got longer when I started to write down the order of the steps.
Starting with “Check right/left hand”

Most I’ve my woops moments come when I get over confident and start playing fast and loose. Walk by the bench and think I’ll just do that quick and not realize that I’m messing up the order and making the following steps harder or impossible.

My logo should have a shovel & ladder.
 
That layer my friend is what keeps the sheath retention for a much longer time, it doesn't let the sheath get too loose by the back giving in after wearing it a while.

SO, the top two layers have to be glued together, stitching holes punched around and then "carefully" cut to the finished width along the top line and then both are glued down to the next layer that will fold down behind to make the belt loop.

It is a lot more work, but it is something that I have always thought was necessary, most don't go that extra step and their sheaths will probably be fine as is, but, I like the ruggedness of the setup once all glued and sewn.
G2
 
Thank you very much for the detailed response! I have to remake the last one because of retention issues. This will be most helpful!
 
You're most welcome, here's a link to a tutorial I did several years ago that might be of interest

Sheath tutorial

G2
 
It generally takes me two or three tries to get the result I want :rolleyes:, so a lot goes in the scrap bin. My sheaths would make the cow they came off cringe, but they're functional.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Far more mistakes than successes.
I'm not good at planning things out, I get an idea in my head of what I want and just jump right in.
I've made a lot of sheaths and most were terrible, so far I've only made a few that looked like somebody who knew what they were doing made it.

I got into making myself knife sheaths as a teenager, and I started with nothing but a bag of scraps from the craft store, a pocket knife, an old ice pick, and 1 old carpet repair needle.
Since then I have definitely improved, I've bought or made better / proper tools, and learned more techniques.
I still haven't really gotten into tooling leather yet ( have a set of the stamps somewhere) though, I'm still trying to get good and consistent at the general sheath making.
the biggest thing I need to work on is finishing the edges, and nailing the fit.
I really need to buy a better stitch groover, and better edge bevelers in different sizes.

View attachment 2107045
I made this one last weak, just a temporary sheath made from some less than ideal scraps I had because I was out of leather, but I didn't make any mistakes this time and it went well.
Click to expand...

Is this sheath made inside out? I like the rough on the outside!!! Plus it might help with my beginner's problem. Keep reading. ;)

I can like ALL your posts - everyone. There is some beautiful work here. I am struggling with the process as I go but I am still going. Mistakes - WELL YEAH 🥳
 
Last edited:
RayseM said:
Is this sheath made inside out? I like the rough on the outside!!! Plus it might help with my beginner's problem. Keep reading. ;)

I can like ALL your posts - everyone. There is some beautiful work here. I am struggling with the process as I go but I am still going. Mistakes - WELL YEAH 🥳

Here is my most recent - completed today. The one on the left was a 1st edition. I pretty much hated it. I just had to try again. The one on the right is the "upgrade:" I just don't know how you guys can keep your leather so pristine as you work it. If my woodworking looked like this I'd blame it on my Brother. 😁 My fastidious predisposition as a woodworker is unsettled by the condition of my leather.

Anyway - see for yourself. Works OK but ... ☹️


View attachment 2149225
Click to expand...
I like the patina! I'm a woodworker also - the thing with woodworking is that most blemishes - getting glue on the piece, etc, can be sanded out before finish. I haven't figured out how to get blemishes out leather such as glue, etc. Either avoiding mistakes or covering them up comes with experience. I remember reading that all woodworkers make mistakes, but a craftsman knows how to cover his up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top