- Joined
- Mar 19, 2007
- Messages
- 7,420
The video series is complete!
CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE VIDEO PLAYLIST - OVER 4 HOURS!
It appears after a general interest thread that there is enough people to make this thread worth while for a while. I will take any and all people who want to learn how to make a basic pouch sheath and keep on top of this thread until the end of March 2014. At that time I will not be able to really keep up and answer any more new questions. However - if we do this right - there should be a record of the questions asked and people wishing to learn should have a great resource.
The Plan:
To give resources, either original or linked (with all credits mentioned) on how to get into basic leather working and go from nothing to a working finished belt sheath.
Who can join:
Anyone. What I quickly realized from the interest thread was that we had a bunch of people ready to commit to making a go at this.
What I ask of you as an Apprentice:
1) Commit. Please take the time, if you are going to join the process, to take it seriously enough to read the thread in its entirety and be up to date before asking a question that may have already been asked.
2) Be flexible. There is more than one way to skin a knife and this way is just my current way to do so. Know that there are a lot of other ways to do things. If I know of another way - and a person who does it well - I will link you to it.
I will try and watch this thread as carefully as I can - but being a professor there are times where I have all I can do to keep up with my students.
3) Instead of only taking on 5 apprentices (I didn't want to be overwhelmed) I will take any and all comers for the durations of this thread. I have to put some value on my time, as I could be making sheaths or just spending time with the family. I guess time is money in some ways. So, if you find some use to this thread and want to donate to the cause - please send a small donation to my PayPal (jmoulenbelt - at - hotmail - dot com). This will ensure that I don't devalue my own time but keep my motivation up throughout the process.
I hope this is the right approach to the process - if this turns you off - I am sorry. It was not intended.
I think that is all that needs to be said - so - let's get started.
Step One - Making a pattern:
The pattern that I have drawn up for this project is a VERY basic pouch sheath. I eliminated much of the style that I have developed over the years, as well as the complications that come with it. However, just because this pattern is very basic - does not mean you have to stick to it - to the letter. You can add what you like - but this will get you a very easy to cut out and assemble sheath.
Here is the Pattern - in a .jpg image:
This is for an Arete / Bushcrafter / Lady Finger length knife. (Or a knife with a 4 inch blade - 4 inch handle - and a blade height of no more than 1.5 inches). Note that I put a 1 inch scale on the sheath so that when you print it - you can use your printer or a copier to make it the actual size I drew it.
However, just because this is the size I drew - does not mean you cannot make changes. For instance - if you have a Hiking Buddy / Kephart / Bushboot you will need take some height (About 1/2 inch or so) from opening to tip of your sheath - as well as a little width from the over all sheath (about 1/2 inch).
Also note that I made a few different length belt loops on the pattern. For now I would cut out the longest length I have - and you will be able to decide before you cut the leather how long you will want your belt loop to be.
Further note that I set up the welt to have a 3/8th width and thus will accommodate a single stitch line. I would advise keeping it simple and making your first sheath with one stitch line. If you want to make two stitch lines like I tend to use - you will need to add to the welt as well as the sheath by 1/8th inch (1/2 inch welt overall).
Do not transfer this pattern to leather just yet. We are just working on the pattern for now.
Grab a few old manilla folders (or the inside of a cereal box) and trace the pattern over to this weight stock. Cut it out.
What I did was to carry over my trace to a manilla folder and then started to see if my knife fit. What you want to do is to take the sheath and set it up on it's spine - with the blade perfectly straddling the center line and carefully trace the knife all the way around. Then turn the knife on its side and trace again. This will allow you to see where your knife will sit inside the sheath as well as determine if your pattern is the right size for the knife you are making.
At this point. Slow down and take your time. Planning in the pattern stage can really save you leather and time. Fold the drop loop over (it should be 1 inch wide) and see if there is enough room for your belt once you have it folded where you will want to stitch it at. Your loop should not go beyond the depth of the handle when the knife is inserted. If it does - either bend the loop at a different point - or cut the loop shorter.
Essentially the pattern will act as the leather for right now. Fold it over - tape it shut - pretend it is a sheath. Does it wear right? Does it do or have what you want it to have. If not - make changes. Take your time - and remake your pattern to make the changes you want.
When you have this done - find some bubble wrap and cut the pattern out of bubble wrap. The bubble wrap is about as thick as 10 ounce leather - which is what we are going to make this sheath out of. Refit everything and make sure you like it.
If everything fits - make sure you have a welt pattern that matches your sheath pattern. For single stitch sheath - use a ruler and add a line on the inside of the that traces the edge of the sheath from the center point at the tip (the bottom) to the center line at the top near the drop loop.
Of course - if you don't want to make any changes and simply make yourself a sheath - size my pattern to scale and cut it out.
General thoughts on Pattern Making:
Be cognizant of your welt when making your pattern. Lay your knife on your pattern in the way it will rest in the sheath and then trace the blade - this will allow you to make a welt that you want. You want the blade to be almost resting on the welt - but have a little room (something like 1/16th inch) of space between the blade and the welt. I do it this way so that if the leather get's damp inside the sheath - at least wet leather isn't just sitting against the blade of my knife.
The type of knife will depend on the kind of welt you can put into the sheath. With a knife that has a guard you can put a shelf in your welt that can serve as a stop while inserting the knife. Simply trace your blade and trace the guard so that the welt becomes a sort of shelf that prevents the knife from being over inserted into the sheath and causing the sheath to cut through your stitching.
This knife has no guard and thus the welt is one smooth radius that simple guides the blade into the sheath and allows for the most amount of surface area for the blade to come into contact with before getting to the stitching of your sheath. In my case, I like the look of a sheath that has been double stitched (I am not at all sure if a double stitch makes a stronger sheath or a stronger way to secure a sheath - but I like the looks and I don't think it compromises the sheath at all. What is does mean, though, is that I need a wider welt. You want your outer stitch to be about 1/8th of an inch away from the edge of the sheath - so with a double stitch I need 1/8th to the first stitch - 1/16th or so gap - a second stitch (1/16th) - and another 1/8th of leather between the blade and the stitching. This makes for a LOT of welt (almost 1/2 inch) - and some sheaths when paired with some knives will not look right with this much welt.
Making a Welt Pattern:
Before you can make a welt pattern - you need to duplicated the sheath pattern you have already made. Carefully copy the sheath you have on to another piece of manilla folder and label it. I label all of my sheath patterns in a few different ways. First, I put the knife's name on it. Second, I put the 'top' and the 'bottom' on the respective sides. If you reverse the pattern and trace it upside down you will make a sheath for the wrong hand. Meaning, if you are a righty and you are trying to make a sheath to rest on your right hip for your right hand - carefully label the flesh side and grain side for the hand you are making it for. This happens more than I would care to note, so be sure and do this.
Now you have two identical sheath patterns and you can use one to make the welt for. What you want to do is basically trace the blade and extend the line from the blade to the opening where you want the welt to be.
For additional resources - please see Al Stohlman's book How to Make Leather Cases Vol. 1 or watch Chuck Burrows "Custom Knife Sheaths". These are not necessary - but will give a ton of advice on making general cases (Stohlman) or on how to make a great sheath from start to finish (Burrows).
Also a great video that shows the making of a pouch sheath including the pattern making is by Leodis Leather on Youtube: http://youtu.be/ykhcHMpqE28
CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE VIDEO PLAYLIST - OVER 4 HOURS!
It appears after a general interest thread that there is enough people to make this thread worth while for a while. I will take any and all people who want to learn how to make a basic pouch sheath and keep on top of this thread until the end of March 2014. At that time I will not be able to really keep up and answer any more new questions. However - if we do this right - there should be a record of the questions asked and people wishing to learn should have a great resource.
The Plan:
To give resources, either original or linked (with all credits mentioned) on how to get into basic leather working and go from nothing to a working finished belt sheath.
Who can join:
Anyone. What I quickly realized from the interest thread was that we had a bunch of people ready to commit to making a go at this.
What I ask of you as an Apprentice:
1) Commit. Please take the time, if you are going to join the process, to take it seriously enough to read the thread in its entirety and be up to date before asking a question that may have already been asked.
2) Be flexible. There is more than one way to skin a knife and this way is just my current way to do so. Know that there are a lot of other ways to do things. If I know of another way - and a person who does it well - I will link you to it.
I will try and watch this thread as carefully as I can - but being a professor there are times where I have all I can do to keep up with my students.
3) Instead of only taking on 5 apprentices (I didn't want to be overwhelmed) I will take any and all comers for the durations of this thread. I have to put some value on my time, as I could be making sheaths or just spending time with the family. I guess time is money in some ways. So, if you find some use to this thread and want to donate to the cause - please send a small donation to my PayPal (jmoulenbelt - at - hotmail - dot com). This will ensure that I don't devalue my own time but keep my motivation up throughout the process.
I hope this is the right approach to the process - if this turns you off - I am sorry. It was not intended.
I think that is all that needs to be said - so - let's get started.
Step One - Making a pattern:
The pattern that I have drawn up for this project is a VERY basic pouch sheath. I eliminated much of the style that I have developed over the years, as well as the complications that come with it. However, just because this pattern is very basic - does not mean you have to stick to it - to the letter. You can add what you like - but this will get you a very easy to cut out and assemble sheath.
Here is the Pattern - in a .jpg image:
This is for an Arete / Bushcrafter / Lady Finger length knife. (Or a knife with a 4 inch blade - 4 inch handle - and a blade height of no more than 1.5 inches). Note that I put a 1 inch scale on the sheath so that when you print it - you can use your printer or a copier to make it the actual size I drew it.
However, just because this is the size I drew - does not mean you cannot make changes. For instance - if you have a Hiking Buddy / Kephart / Bushboot you will need take some height (About 1/2 inch or so) from opening to tip of your sheath - as well as a little width from the over all sheath (about 1/2 inch).
Also note that I made a few different length belt loops on the pattern. For now I would cut out the longest length I have - and you will be able to decide before you cut the leather how long you will want your belt loop to be.
Further note that I set up the welt to have a 3/8th width and thus will accommodate a single stitch line. I would advise keeping it simple and making your first sheath with one stitch line. If you want to make two stitch lines like I tend to use - you will need to add to the welt as well as the sheath by 1/8th inch (1/2 inch welt overall).
Do not transfer this pattern to leather just yet. We are just working on the pattern for now.
Grab a few old manilla folders (or the inside of a cereal box) and trace the pattern over to this weight stock. Cut it out.
What I did was to carry over my trace to a manilla folder and then started to see if my knife fit. What you want to do is to take the sheath and set it up on it's spine - with the blade perfectly straddling the center line and carefully trace the knife all the way around. Then turn the knife on its side and trace again. This will allow you to see where your knife will sit inside the sheath as well as determine if your pattern is the right size for the knife you are making.
At this point. Slow down and take your time. Planning in the pattern stage can really save you leather and time. Fold the drop loop over (it should be 1 inch wide) and see if there is enough room for your belt once you have it folded where you will want to stitch it at. Your loop should not go beyond the depth of the handle when the knife is inserted. If it does - either bend the loop at a different point - or cut the loop shorter.
Essentially the pattern will act as the leather for right now. Fold it over - tape it shut - pretend it is a sheath. Does it wear right? Does it do or have what you want it to have. If not - make changes. Take your time - and remake your pattern to make the changes you want.
When you have this done - find some bubble wrap and cut the pattern out of bubble wrap. The bubble wrap is about as thick as 10 ounce leather - which is what we are going to make this sheath out of. Refit everything and make sure you like it.
If everything fits - make sure you have a welt pattern that matches your sheath pattern. For single stitch sheath - use a ruler and add a line on the inside of the that traces the edge of the sheath from the center point at the tip (the bottom) to the center line at the top near the drop loop.
Of course - if you don't want to make any changes and simply make yourself a sheath - size my pattern to scale and cut it out.
General thoughts on Pattern Making:
Be cognizant of your welt when making your pattern. Lay your knife on your pattern in the way it will rest in the sheath and then trace the blade - this will allow you to make a welt that you want. You want the blade to be almost resting on the welt - but have a little room (something like 1/16th inch) of space between the blade and the welt. I do it this way so that if the leather get's damp inside the sheath - at least wet leather isn't just sitting against the blade of my knife.
The type of knife will depend on the kind of welt you can put into the sheath. With a knife that has a guard you can put a shelf in your welt that can serve as a stop while inserting the knife. Simply trace your blade and trace the guard so that the welt becomes a sort of shelf that prevents the knife from being over inserted into the sheath and causing the sheath to cut through your stitching.
This knife has no guard and thus the welt is one smooth radius that simple guides the blade into the sheath and allows for the most amount of surface area for the blade to come into contact with before getting to the stitching of your sheath. In my case, I like the look of a sheath that has been double stitched (I am not at all sure if a double stitch makes a stronger sheath or a stronger way to secure a sheath - but I like the looks and I don't think it compromises the sheath at all. What is does mean, though, is that I need a wider welt. You want your outer stitch to be about 1/8th of an inch away from the edge of the sheath - so with a double stitch I need 1/8th to the first stitch - 1/16th or so gap - a second stitch (1/16th) - and another 1/8th of leather between the blade and the stitching. This makes for a LOT of welt (almost 1/2 inch) - and some sheaths when paired with some knives will not look right with this much welt.
Making a Welt Pattern:
Before you can make a welt pattern - you need to duplicated the sheath pattern you have already made. Carefully copy the sheath you have on to another piece of manilla folder and label it. I label all of my sheath patterns in a few different ways. First, I put the knife's name on it. Second, I put the 'top' and the 'bottom' on the respective sides. If you reverse the pattern and trace it upside down you will make a sheath for the wrong hand. Meaning, if you are a righty and you are trying to make a sheath to rest on your right hip for your right hand - carefully label the flesh side and grain side for the hand you are making it for. This happens more than I would care to note, so be sure and do this.
Now you have two identical sheath patterns and you can use one to make the welt for. What you want to do is basically trace the blade and extend the line from the blade to the opening where you want the welt to be.
For additional resources - please see Al Stohlman's book How to Make Leather Cases Vol. 1 or watch Chuck Burrows "Custom Knife Sheaths". These are not necessary - but will give a ton of advice on making general cases (Stohlman) or on how to make a great sheath from start to finish (Burrows).
Also a great video that shows the making of a pouch sheath including the pattern making is by Leodis Leather on Youtube: http://youtu.be/ykhcHMpqE28
Attachments
Last edited: