Leather weight to blade length?

Fletch Helical

Fletch Helical

Joined
Sep 29, 2009
Messages
1,614
I was talking to someone at a Tandy store on the phone not too long ago and was trying to nail down what the best weight leather to get for some sheaths I need to make an attempt at. I'm working at the moment with mostly 5" blades and under. I was told that generally the rule is to have the weight match the blade length. So for example knives with say a 3.5" blade to say 5 should be a 4-5 oz weight of leather. But from what I can gather here from the search everyone seems to like around an 8 oz weight. Does anyone know how accurate this "rule of thumb" is with regards to "blade length to leather weight ratio"?
 
I have never heard of such a "rule of thumb".
I get a side of 8-10oz and use it for knives as small as 4" folders (pouch sheaths) and Bowie knives with 12" blades, and everything in between.
I've done some machete sheaths as well, and gun holsters, using the same weight leather.

But that's just me and the way I do things:D
 
About the same here.

9/10 for most

7/8 occasionally when I need to stack a light leather on top of it.

4/5 is awfully thin for any fixed blade.
 
I just was at Tandy yesterday to exchange some leather they shipped me....it had holes and scrapes and was discolored. I decided to just go there in person and pick out for myself what I wanted. That worked out really well and I picked out a really nice piece of 9-10oz veg tan. I had to make a sheath for a small neck knife and for a minute there I thought it would be too thick...but it turned out really nice anyways. I think it depends on what style sheath you make.
 
I agree about Tandy and The Leather Factory. Its best to go and dig and pick your leather. Theres some good stuff to be found. :)
 
leatherman said:
I agree about Tandy and The Leather Factory. Its best to go and dig and pick your leather. Theres some good stuff to be found. :)
Click to expand...

Problem is I'd have to leave the state to do that :( I really don't want to make a day out of getting some leather.
 
Its all a matter of perspective, I make a day of it. But the nearest Leather Factory is way over an hour away. Also, I refuse to allow someone else to pick out my leather so I'm stuck with it.
 
I ended up just having to make a day of it also since the Tandy was in Edmonton an hour and 45mins away from where I live. I think they just take their not-so-good stuff and try to ship it off and the good stuff they keep in the store for display...well that's what it seemed like anyways. Almost made me not want to buy leather there anymore. At least they were helpful at the store and I had no problem at all exhanging the leather.
 
I think some just pull the top piece regardless what it looks like and move in in their frenzy to fill the order and still take care of customers in the store. But I've asked for "pick of the litter" and most have not had a problem, though a couple were a little put upon. :p
 
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