Made my first fixed blade sheath.....not too shabby

[batosai117]

Hello there,

Today I was really in the mood to make something after receiving some good news about the Police Academy and work. So I called up the King Ranch Saddle Shop in town and asked if they had any scraps that I could have. The guy on the phone said to stop by and see what he has. So I dropped off a package in the mail and walked across the street to the shop. The fellow working the leather gave me a handful of good stuff that I ended up using for the sheath I made.

I was tired of the low carry sheath that came with my Gerber Big Rock, so that knife became the outline for my sheath. After getting the general shape of it, I used hot water and worked the leather over until it was manageable. Ah what the heck, I'll just show pics of it already

The standard issue next to the new sheath:

Side Shot:

Backside:

Up close:

Belt loop and side:

Knife and sheath side by side:

Sheath in use:

I know it's nothing compared to what you guys do, but I'm happy with it and since I am the maker, I can do touch ups if/when necessary. I suppose practice makes perfect, so the next time I have some time to burn, I'll have a little bit more experience under my belt :thumbup:

Constructive criticism is encouraged, take care, J.

 

[Greg45]

Very cool! :thumbup:

That looks like a great first sheath. It's hard to tell from the photos - did you put in a welt along the edge to protect the stitching? Even if not, and you ever do have trouble with it, you can probably add one later if need be.

Oh, and congrats on your good news!

 

[panch0]

Lookin good J! Just don't start making knives now. We don't need no competition. lol.... J/K... Nice job!

 

[batosai117]

Hey thanks guys

I didn't even think about putting in a welt (I'm not completely sure what that would be), but I did glue the edges before I sewed it up, so the leather itself is blocking the edge from the stitching. As for making knives, I'd love to, maybe when money gets better so I can burn a little getting supplies

 

[vic2367]

very nicely done

 

[matt009au]

whats best to use as a welt ?

 

[Greg45]

Usually it's a piece or pieces of the same leather the sheath is made of, cut in a strip and sandwiched between the outer two parts of the sheath along the edge of the knife. It's then sewn in place along with the sheath and protects the stitching from being cut by the blade.

Here's a picture that Gary Graley has in a tutorial in this forum (I hope you don't mind me using it, Gary ) that is a great shot of a welt in place before the sheath is stitched. It also shows that by cutting the welt just right, the knife will be held in place securely and the bolster will have a definite resting place within the sheath, keeping everything just right. It doesn't get much better than that.

 

[matt009au]

cheers for the great explanation mate, makes sence to me now

 

[Gary W. Graley]

First sheath, not bad at all and Greg, thanks for the posting of the photo
here is a Link to the whole thread for those
that may want to see how that story ends
G2