Lining a Pouch Style Sheath with a Curved Mouth

[logem]

I usually craft a pouch sheath with a style derived from Chuck Burrows for all of the hunting knives that I make. I have wanted to line these with a thin pig or deer skin liner but cannot figure out how to do so because my sheaths' opening/mouth has a lot of curvature. I purchased a very large piece of pigskin for this purpose quite a long time ago, but have never figured out how to use it as a liner on these pouch sheaths. Today, I went so far as to cut a piece of liner and ponder on what to do, but ended up abandoning the idea.

The following photos show the style of sheath that I usually make for my knives, along with what I laid-out today before walking away from the idea again.

It appears that a lined sheath must have a relatively straight mouth in order to line it properly and use a rolled fold on the outer surface. I thought that deer skin may be better for this since it is a bit more elastic, but I still don't see how to get anything to cleanly roll around these strongly curved edges.

If I bond the liner to the inside surface of the sheath and simply trim my liner flush with the mouth, I can see that the liner will easily begin to peel away from the sheath after multiple drawing and sheathing of the knife. I make my sheaths with a firm fit for retention. I don't want to do this and risk a quality problem with my work.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for how to line a sheath of this style?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Michael,

Usually how this type of sheath is made is that the pig skin is glued to the outside of the sheath, at the opening - then sewed at the opening only. Once this is done it is folded over and glued to the inside of the sheath. This leaves a rolled sort of cuff on the outside of the sheath in pigskin and the entire thing lined.

I hope that made sense.

TF

 

[Horsewright]

I have done quite a few curves but not quite as acute as you show. I would cut your lining to coincide with your top edge before you glue and sew as TF described. After sewing just stretch down as you glue the rest of the lining to the inside of the sheath Have a rub stick handy to work out any wrinkles.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Yeah, I'd cut it to follow the curve. I'm pretty sure my pig skin has enough stretch to make it work, but it might require a couple of relief cuts (inside) to get the roll looking nice. Take that for what it's worth though. I'm speculating as I haven't done a curve like that either. Do you have another design that you can practice the roll on? I've just been doing practice rolls on scrap and I feel its helped.

 

[logem]

OK, this makes sense now. I still feel that I'm going to have issues due to the pronounced curves. I'll cut a blank sheath later this week and give it a try. I'm sure that I can work it out.

The description on starting the process from the outside of the sheath helps a lot to get started.

Thanks,

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Hey bud, check out this video.

[video=youtube;yZKxHdNIiP4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZKxHdNIiP4[/video]

It's not a knife sheath like yours, but still relevant.