My first sheath? Stitching problems...

[galadduin]

I made my first sheath for my shop knife I made. I didn't dye it yet. The string I used here was the only thing I found around that is strong enough, a black fishnet string, it is not a natural material, I'll search for it next week...

The end of the stitch you may noticed on the 3rd pic has a darkened area, where I had to drop a piece of superglue. I twisted for each hole the two strings, it supposed to hold together but it didnt at least for the last stitch, then I cut the strings at the end and dropped a drop of superglue. I was afraid it would come loose... How do you end your stitches, how do you secure the strings there? I stitched as my leathermaking books say but it doesnt work for me, maybe because of the nylon rope....

Oh, also the rivets were bought from a shoemaker nearby, these are the lowest quality I suppose, I'll find some double sided ones soon...

BTW how do you like the sheath? any comments... The loop is at the top because it will be hang to the wall at the shop....

 

[WA Martin]

Can't help with the practical questions but I like your sheath. Looks like it will do what it was intended to do. Doesn't have to be all fancy for a shop knife.

It still looks good. Even the rivets look nicely done. Who cares if they were cheapies from the cobbler shop!

Someone will come along soon and tell you what to do with the stitching.

 

[stingray4540]

I backstitch 3 or 4 holes, then make them both come out the bottom. I use waxed nylon thread so I just heat up a butter knife and melt the ends.

What kind of stitch are you using?

P.S. Well done on the sheath!

 

[galadduin]

I used that hand stitch, but for each hole I made a twist just like the top image shows as "lock stitch". BTW I couldnt go back a couple of holes I assume my drill holes were too small, only two strings were able to pass these holes. I guess that is my main problem....
Thanks for the comments...
Emre

 

[steelshaper]

Good Job! your sheath looks nice.

What I use for stitching my sheaths is heavy waxed thread. Being that you are in Turkey I am not sure where you would go to get it but here it is easy to find. Most craft stores will have it in the beads section. Or you should be able to get it from a leather supply place. I prefer the sadle stitch or what you have labled as hand stich over the lock stitch, even better though is the step stitch. The image below is the step stitch.

The waxed thread holds up better and sticks more in the holes.
You may also want to add a welt next time you make a sheath as it helps to protect the stitching from the sharp edge of the knife.

 

[galadduin]

Thanks guys, for the recommendations and the compliments. It is the first and after finished I see the problems, when I look this sheath I really dint like the location of the stitches, I really feel the stitch line had to be lower, much closer to the edge. Also I didnt care about the twisting action direction of the locks, they all had to be same, but this time I sometimes got the first needle from upside sometimes downside of the twist, I suppose this makes the threads uneven. Thanks William, I had a welt in mind but completely forgot in the excitement of this first .. And the step stitch is looking too nice, I'll definitely give it a try...
Best Regards
Emre

 

[Phil Dwyer]

I like what you did. It looks good, especially for a shop knife. If it was for a carrying knife I suppose it need to go up a little higher on the handle to make sure the knife wouldn't fall out.

Have you checked out the Sheaths & Such forum? There's a thread there about thread, http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=590038, plus a whole lot more. Apparently there is a fine quality, reasonably priced, linen thread made in Yugoslavia.

 

[gixxer]

You might be able to go into a local leather manufacturing joint to get some cotton thread, maybe waxed. if not waxed then plain beeswax works. As far as your holes not being big enough for the backstitch, get an icepick or scratch awl to use to make the holes bigger so the needle and thread will pass through the second time. I use a centerpunch with the end ground down a little finer. Only reason why I use that is cause ti is all I had laying around.

 

[ddavelarsen]

I too come back at the end for several stitches. It's a tight fit with four threads going through the hole, so I start the needle in the hole and push it through with a block of wood, then pull it the rest of the way out with a pair of pliers.

I've been stitching everything with artificial sinew for a long time. It's cheap, looks good and is very strong. But many kinds of thread will work, and as was mentioned you can wax your own if needed.

Nice looking sheath, too! When you cut the sewing with your knife, next time you can remember the welt.

 

[galadduin]

I found some natural linen threads around, used in carpet making and textile. I also found a good supplier of beeswax. I found also tens of different colors of textile dyes here in my shop sitting in a drawer for years. Do you think the dyes can also be used for leather? I'll test all of them for sure on scrap leather pieces before using it but they seem to be useful at least to color the linen threads....

Thanks Phil, the link was really helpful. Surprisingly this height was enough to secure the blade as is is really slotting the knife very tight. I grabbed the sheath while the knife was inside, hold it from the tip and shook like crazy, but the knife didn't move a bit. It was really fun

Oh welt thing ... BTW Dave do you think that my girlfriend should be included in the sheath work still ???

Emre

 

[ddavelarsen]

Emre I can't say about the dye, you'll have to try it. Make sure it doesn't rub off the leather!

As to including your girlfriend in your sheath making, I think if she's willing you'd be way ahead to do that! But dragging her into it probably would not be the best idea...

Take care man, and keep us posted.

 

[Wild Rose]

How to Stitch..
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html

 

[R.C.Reichert]

I think that sheath looks really good for you're first one. Better than my first one did. I too have used the artificial sinew for stitching my sheaths, but have since gone to doing pretty much all of my sheaths with leather lace instead. I just like the rustic look of the lacing. Waxed linen works good as well.

 

[galadduin]

Thanks R.C. I may use leather lace like you for the second as the linen has not arrived yet.

Thanks for the info Wild Rose, now I'm printing the pages of your link right now. It will be most beneficial for my sheath making progress.

I guess the sheath is important as the knife, when a knife has a matching good built sheath even the knife is nothing but ordinary both become very valuable in my eyes.

Dave, I noticed she is avoiding me when I happen to work on leather ! Just kidding, probably she is just avoiding me You know I'm not so charming when I'm working at the shop, smelling iron, dirty clothes, ugly hands. I take 2 days off in a week just to be with her

Best regards
Emre