Making a criollo leather sheath - 60+ pictures

[ArielSalaverria]

Hi folks,

I've documented all steps involved in making a criollo style sheath for a criollo knife.

I believe this might help people start working on leather sheaths or give some folks that don't know how to make a leather sheath for their criollo knives an idea on how to do it.

As always, I'll try to answer any questions you might have!

Thanks for looking.

Ariel.


Making a mold out of paper according to the blade's shape.

I draw the contour of the blade taking into consideration the extra material for the stitching and the thickness of the leather.

Cutting the drawn mold with scissors.

Finished paper mold.

I place double glue tape to get the leather to stick and be able to cut the contour of the paper mold.

Cutting the leather piece out of a sheath sheet.

Final sheath piece.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

I put glue and then glue the leather together.

I smooth the contour on the band sander.

I use a compass to draw a line parallel to the border (4mm)

I mark the future holes for stitching and drill them using a 2mm diameter bit.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

I saw the leather.

I get the sheath wet using a sponge and water.

I wrap the blade in saran wrap so it doesn't get moist.

I place the knife inside the sheath.

Then I press it between two flat pieces of wood to avoid marks on the leather for about 2-4 hours.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

After the leather dried up.

Making a paper mold of the belt clip (I recommend using paper as it allows me to make several easy and inexpensive test on it and pick up the most convenient one)

Making the clip draft on a 1.5mm thick layer of stainless 304

Clip draft.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

Bending the metal to match the contour of the sheath.

Welding both borders with an oxy-acetylene torch.

I get rid of the extra material on the welded part on the band sander.

After sanding.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

I place the clip on the leather sheath and make two holes on each side.

I round a piece of hard wood (I used Guayacan for this one) til it has 1/4" diameter.

I place the wooden pegs to keep the clip in place.

I cut a piece of stainless 304 pipe (1" diameter and 1.5mm thickness)

I cut off a piece to match the pipe to the tip of the sheath.

 

[ArielSalaverria]

I repeat the drilling process I did on the clip on this piece.

I add a leather piece to match my design so I can put the same wooden pegs to the tip metal piece and secure it to the sheath.

I drill the leather piece.

With some metal piecs heated on the kitchen I mark the leather.

I cover the metal parts with masking tape and then I use an aerograph to dye the sheath black.

Finished sheath.

In case anyone's wondering, it took 16 hours to go from step #1 to the finished sheath.

 

[B Finnigan]

Very cool Ariel, I always love your tutorials. The sheath is awsome!

 

[Terry_Dodson]

Very imformative. Do you glue the wooden dowels at the top? What type of glue do you use? Also on the belt clip. it just slipes over the belt? Nothing else to keep it on the belt if the knife is pulled out?

 

[DSLinthorne]

Ariel, still making it look easy!
once you have the ridge in the back where you had stitched it, how do you get it flat? sand the ridge down or is it just from being in the vise?
Steve

 

[ArielSalaverria]

once you have the ridge in the back where you had stitched it, how do you get it flat? sand the ridge down or is it just from being in the vise?

The vise gets it flat and then I polish it to make it look nicer.

Do you glue the wooden dowels at the top? What type of glue do you use?

Yes I did. I used glue designed for wood, that also glues to the leather, but the pegs are JUST of the diameter of the hole, so they enter really tight, with little hammer hits.

Also on the belt clip. it just slipes over the belt? Nothing else to keep it on the belt if the knife is pulled out?

That's the traditional carry method of the Argentine gauchos, it might look like the sheath will come out, but in reality, with a tight belt, it stays in position perfectly

Here's a picture of knifemaker Ruben Calo showing this carry method (along with the killer knife he made):

Ariel