Making leather sheaths?

[Steven Roos]

I have some experience in leatherworking, but I have never been good at stiching/sewing...what is the best way to stich the parts of a sheath together? Anyone have a how-to type guide?

 

[p moore]

You can make your holes with a small punch, or a drill and a 1/16 drill bit or a paneling nail. Then, one string with a needle on each end. Pass the needles over each other in each hole. The pnch or awl I use I made from a piece of tool steel and shaped to a point. Profiled to a diamond shape <>. This is a simple answer I know. Over at the CKD, they have a sheath makers forum. Paul

 

[ddavelarsen]

One good place to start is Bruce Evans' Tutorials

There's also a sheath making forum at CKD.

That being said, what I do is use a pounce wheel to space the holes, "drill" them with a nail in my drill press, and saddle stitch the sheath by hand. In saddle stitching you put a needle on each end of the line and just sew in and out each side of the sheath with alternating needles. Ususally I double the stitches at each end of the line, particularly at the throat of the sheath. Hope this helps, check out the tutorials for the best start.

Good luck, I hope you'll share your efforts with the rest of us!

Dave

 

[DaQo'tah Forge]

Hi this is the DaQo'tah

I have only made 2 knife sheaths so far,,,and they were a mess.

But when Ed Fowler saw my troubles he sat down at his work bench and did a drawing for me about the sheath that hangs from his belt, I also got a ton of information on how to stitch his sheath...

if you want a photo copy sent to your home, you can reach me from my website,

http://daqotahforge.tripod.com

 

[Wild Rose]

Here's a link to my tutorial on how to sew a good seam. I first posted this on CKD.
wrtcleather.com/1_forums/leatherstitch.html

Below are a couple of pics of how a good seam should look.
The first image shows the front seam.

The second image is of the back seam.

Note how I did the top end of the seam for the belt loop. Make that little 'U' and it should never tear out (In fact you can make the short leg two stitches if you want).
BTW I NEVER stitch straight across the width of a strap - yeah I know it's been done, but you create a "zipper" when you do this. When I used to do lots of repairs that type of seam invariably tore out!
I've also revised/spell checked that first set of instructions and have uploaded it as an html page so it will be easier to print out and or save.
Here is a link to my posts on CKD that shows how to make a stitching pony.
http://www.ckdforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10320

Hope this helps - Check out the other posts on CKD and also take a look at knifeforums sheath making posts
Chuck

 

[Steven Roos]

Thanks for all the links! I've got a lot of reading to do!

I really like the alternating needles technique. Very simple. Only a couple questions...How do you tell how much thread you need? What material do you use? Finally, where do you buy your leather?

 

[Wild Rose]

1) 1 1/2 to 2 times as long as your seam.
2) 7/8 oz or 8/9 oz vegtan also known as oak tan - depends on the size of the knife. Shoulders are about the least expensive way to go. If there is one of their stores close check out their scap bin.
3) Tandy Leather or the Leather Factory are probably the most convenient sources for leather and tools.

Read my tutorial for further info re: supplies

Chuck