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Making Leather Sheaths?
- Thread starter wilhurley
- Start date
fitzo
Gold Member
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- Aug 14, 2001
- Messages
- 6,648
I would recommend you start with Chuck "Widrose" Burrows instructional DVD.
http://www.ccinstructionalvideos.com/sheaths.htm
There are also tutorials available at Knifenetwork and Knivesby.com. It's a bit of a tall order to try and tell you how to make a sheath through forum posts, to be honest, or just what all tools/materials you'll need. Study a bit and we can then help answer specific questions.
http://www.ccinstructionalvideos.com/sheaths.htm
There are also tutorials available at Knifenetwork and Knivesby.com. It's a bit of a tall order to try and tell you how to make a sheath through forum posts, to be honest, or just what all tools/materials you'll need. Study a bit and we can then help answer specific questions.
- Joined
- Nov 27, 1999
- Messages
- 3,745
I have to second Chucks video. You can start with a needle thread and razor knife and some of the members here can make beautiful sheaths with those tools. I need a little more 
...After you see it done as in the video, you will have a real feel for what's involved.
...After you see it done as in the video, you will have a real feel for what's involved.
Mark Williams
Moderator
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- Nov 28, 2000
- Messages
- 4,760
I third Chuck's video 
Gossman Knives
Edged Toolmaker
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2004
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- 9,402
The video would be the best way to learn. I'm self taught and learned through trail and error. I use basic tools. Leather punch, tool to mark stitch holes, rivet setter, snap setter and other various tools. I get my supplies and dye from Tandy Leather. I have a store close enough to go to. My leather I order from www.leatherunitd.com Their 8-9OZ. is of exceptional quality.They also sell the tools and supplies you need.
Scott
Scott
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2001
- Messages
- 3,621
I'll back up Chucks video as well. He is a fantastic sheath man. Also, if your going to the Koval show in Columbus next weekend, feel free to ask Tess whatever you'd like about sheaths. She'd be happy to help.
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2001
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- 8,474
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2002
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- 1,398
Well since nobody has taken my name in vain so far (thank you ALL for the kind comments)
Here's the basic set of tools I use for all of my leather work - everything else is icing on the cake
Top Left: 5 cord linen thread
Tools on left (clockwise from left): Beeswax/Pitch mix
Stitch Groover
Stitch marker/Overstitch Wheel
Diamond blade awl for use with hammer
Western style edge rounder (Weaver Leather master tool)
In the center is a home made stitch pony - http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_stitchpony.html
Top right: Round tip awl for opening up holes for backstitching
Diamond blade hand awl
One of a pair of gloves - the little finger is left on to prevent cutting yourself with the thread when sewing
The sheath tutorials on Dan Gray's Site (including my own) - http://www.knivesby.com/knifemaking.html - are top rate and are a great adjunct even if you do get my video.
BTW - looks like I may be making a Vol II on Sheathmaking - planned is a rear center seam sheath with throat and tip - and two styles of Frontier sheaths. Also looks like a Holster making video is possible.....
Here's the basic set of tools I use for all of my leather work - everything else is icing on the cake
Top Left: 5 cord linen thread
Tools on left (clockwise from left): Beeswax/Pitch mix
Stitch Groover
Stitch marker/Overstitch Wheel
Diamond blade awl for use with hammer
Western style edge rounder (Weaver Leather master tool)
In the center is a home made stitch pony - http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_stitchpony.html
Top right: Round tip awl for opening up holes for backstitching
Diamond blade hand awl
One of a pair of gloves - the little finger is left on to prevent cutting yourself with the thread when sewing
The sheath tutorials on Dan Gray's Site (including my own) - http://www.knivesby.com/knifemaking.html - are top rate and are a great adjunct even if you do get my video.
BTW - looks like I may be making a Vol II on Sheathmaking - planned is a rear center seam sheath with throat and tip - and two styles of Frontier sheaths. Also looks like a Holster making video is possible.....
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2000
- Messages
- 5,179
Chuck I dig your pinkey finger glove! I always end up using a strip of - you guessed it - Duct Tape to protect myself from cuts. 
Or the bandaid covering the first cut will do it...
I'm sure looking forward to getting your DVD. My brother agreed to get it for me for my birthday, but it wasn't a priority until I started leaning on him a bit. I guess I'll have it in a week or two, however long it takes him to get it and mail it to me.
Wil you'll be amazed how quickly your sheaths come along. After a couple dozen you'll want to start doing fancy stuff like padded inlays and freehand carving. Many people don't give their sheaths (this is my opinion, take it for what it's worth which is rather little) the attention they deserve. A sheath that matches the theme of its blade more than pays for itself.
There's nothing wrong with having a pro make your sheaths and many makers do. But to me it seems one of those skills that a person of average dedication can become reasonably proficient at, and many buyers like the idea that the knifemaker did his own leatherwork too.
I find I'm a bit envious of those couples like J and Tess, Dan Winkler and Karen Shook, and the partnership of Gib and Churck, who have established a symbiotic relationship for their knives and sheaths. My wife ain't the least bit interested.
So I'll just keep plugging away, eh? I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Or the bandaid covering the first cut will do it...I'm sure looking forward to getting your DVD. My brother agreed to get it for me for my birthday, but it wasn't a priority until I started leaning on him a bit. I guess I'll have it in a week or two, however long it takes him to get it and mail it to me.
Wil you'll be amazed how quickly your sheaths come along. After a couple dozen you'll want to start doing fancy stuff like padded inlays and freehand carving. Many people don't give their sheaths (this is my opinion, take it for what it's worth which is rather little) the attention they deserve. A sheath that matches the theme of its blade more than pays for itself.
There's nothing wrong with having a pro make your sheaths and many makers do. But to me it seems one of those skills that a person of average dedication can become reasonably proficient at, and many buyers like the idea that the knifemaker did his own leatherwork too.
I find I'm a bit envious of those couples like J and Tess, Dan Winkler and Karen Shook, and the partnership of Gib and Churck, who have established a symbiotic relationship for their knives and sheaths. My wife ain't the least bit interested.
So I'll just keep plugging away, eh? I look forward to seeing more of your work.
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- Feb 6, 2001
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- 3,621
Sounds good Will. We'll look forward to seeing you there.