My first attempt at a sheath!

L

Lethal289

Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Messages
349
First, i've surfed here a ton lately, gathering some info on just how i wanted this to ride. Thanks to everyone who contributes to this site. It seams like a great place. I've pretty much packed it full of options. For some reason, (maybe the flash?) the brown looks blotchy, and lighter in some spots (like the straps), but it looks a lot closer in person.


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Its a bk2 and i can't wait to take this camping this summer. Its my first sheath build, but i've built a couple holsters (3). I'm really new to leather (about 4 months), and would appreciate any pointers i can get from those of you with experience. Im really happy with this sheath, and can't wait to get it into the woods. The way its made, i can switch the fire steel and belt loop to the other side, making it right or left handed, which would depend if i was carrying a side arm or not. Or the dangler and belt loop are removable for horizontal "scout" carry, or attachment to a MOLLE pack. The para cord leg tie strap is type 3 550 cord (about 5 feet).

A few questions if i may, how do you get the edge kote to apply evenly and uniform? i assume maybe its just practice. i have it close, but it some spots i had a real hard time getting it to the edge of my bevel. I've read that the strap release using elastic cord is trademarked or patented. So i assume its illegal to use on my sheath. Is there anything else that can make the strap open from the blade? Should i just do it? I've already scratched it.

Thanks for looking. All criticism is welcomed.

jake
 
I don't know if the elastic cord attached to the retention strap is patented or not, but if you are making one privately for your own use and NOT trying to sell the idea or market sheaths using the system for profit, you should be good to go. In my opinion the elastic cord thing is a lot of extra effort for not much return in benefit.

The sheath appears to be rather thick and bulky which is not to my liking or standard, but if it works for you and you are happy that's all that really matters. It does appear it will take a beating serve you well. Welcome to the world of leather work!

Paul
 
thanks, Its 8-9oz, with the same for the welt. I thought it was fitting since the bk2 is almost 1/4" thick.
 
That's probably the best weight leather for the intended use of this sheath. I use 7/8 oz leather, but I fully line everything with either light weight Deer skin or 2/3 oz veg tan, so the finished combined weight of the exterior and the lining is just about the 8/9 mark. I do skive all the edge mating pieces back about 1/4" or so from the edge to about 50% which gives a much thinner appearance without degrading the interior strength. My average finished edge is just about 3/8" to 7/16", but without the skiving it would be about 3/4"

Paul
 
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Good job...especially for your first one. I know these style of sheaths require a lot of thinking ahead, and you seemed to have pulled it off. Nice going.....the little details will come with time-in.
 
Nice!!!! Kudos, that is a heck of a first sheath! Mine was so ugly I decided to retire it and I made a new one. If the dye looks patchy use Skidmore's leather cream, it evens the color and it protects from moist.
The quick release retention strap is in fact patented. I decided not to use it on my bk2 sheath to avoid any legal issues with the owner of the idea even if it's only for personal use and not for sale.
 
Looks awesome! Especially for your first one. you could also do some stamping on the leather if you wanted to customize it a little bit. I love the look of patterned stamp on leather.

Cheers!
-AJ
 
I really would like to know how you set up the reversible hardware I'd love to make one or have one made for my tracker
 
Killinumsoftly said:
I really would like to know how you set up the reversible hardware I'd love to make one or have one made for my tracker
Click to expand...

The idea came when i was trying to figure out how to make my sheath both right and left hand carry. Often, i like to carry a pistol on my hip into the woods. With this the retention strap that goes around the handle becomes a problem. Usually its mounted on one side or the other, and on universal sheaths it can be found it the middle.

I am much more comfortable with it on the side, and it needs to be on the side that faces out. if i switch hips, it needs to adapt so the strap release stays to the outside. My solution, i think, solved a couple problems. First and fore most, it can move release points if i switch carry positions, but as an added benefit, its easily replaceable if it ever becomes cut. However, that should never be an issue because in one quick motion you can swivel it behind the knife and re-snap it to the sheath. This way its locked and confined to the back of the sheath, out of the way, while the knife is in use. Here are some pictures so you can see what i mean!

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Sorry for the last blurry pic, but you get the idea. Because this sheath it both a dangler (Hip carry) and also scout / cross draw optioned, the snap also allows the sheath itself to firmly attach to to the dangler part so it isn't just flopping around as your trying to walk.

On the sheath itself, the two snaps at the cutting edge of the blade are held in place by allen screws. So unscrewing the snaps let you switch it to the other side of the sheath.
 
That's really cool, so basically the entire strap system comes off as one piece and buttons on by the retaining strap and also has 2 Allen screws to secure it on the blade edge. Is that the basic set up?
I just had a custom tracker made and I love carrying it scout style when I teach my classes or so some guiding and have only a small pack, but I need to drop it down and hip carry when I have a pack with hip belt. I have a kydex sheath I can switch up and carry both ways but when I go scout the blade is sharp side up which I can deal with but I'd prefer it to be blade down. When I saw your rig I though how awesome it was & for your first sheath I have to say that is a unbelievable job, it looks amazing. If you ever decide to make sheaths for people let me know, I'd gladly pay for that's type of work.
 
Under the straps with the snaps behind the sheath. I can wear this blade down, handle to the right or left.
 
Killinumsoftly said:
Where does the belt part of the sheath go when you wear it scout style?
Click to expand...

I guess I should have said the whole dangler section comes off to wear it scout style. The two thin straps with the snaps stay. You use those to attach it to the belt. Make sense? Because of the Allen screws, it can be blade down either right or left handed.
 
I kind of get it, is there any chance you could post some pictures of it all apart so I could see the individual parts and how they go together. If its something you don't want to do or you don't have time I completely understand and it's not a big deal. If you get around to it sometime then that would be awesome thanks
 
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