My Magic Sirupati is now also "invisible"

Sylvrfalcn

Sylvrfalcn

Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
3,930
Got to comparing my EDC 12" AK with my 15" Sirupati. Sher made the little AK stout and workmanlike, Bura made the Siru light and lithe. Long story short, they weigh about the same, but the Siru stretches the weight out and feels like a much lighter knife. Hmmm, says I, this magical blade forged by the master wants to go riding on my belt. Problem; the scabbard hangs down far enough past the bottom of my DCU (desert camo uniform) shirt as to attract too much unwanted attention. Solution; I cut the pant leg off an old pair of DCU trousers and stitched a scabbard cover that blends perfectly with the rest of my uniform. Now you've pretty much got to be standing right up on top of me to know I've got it on, and then you gotta know what you're looking for. Invisible? Perhaps not, but stealthy enough to provide a wicked surprise to the unwary soul who thinks a fellow with grey whiskers makes an easy mark.;)

Sarge
 
Watch out Ralph Lauren. "And stepping out onto the runway wearing this year's ensemble by HI is...."

Ben
 
I go and subdue my khuk scabbard so the MPs quit giving me grief about it and you ladies go and get all excited, sheesh.:p :rolleyes: :D

Seriously, boredom is the mother of creativity.

Sarge
 
Well, Sarge, if you get REALLY bored, you could post detailed instructions on how to make a belt sheath for a JKM-1, like you were doing in the 'tent' pic. I got mine and love it, but am not really knocked out by the dangler that came with it.
 
Okay, you'll have to pardon my crude drawing, I'm pretty much a cave man.
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Yup, pretty crude. Anyhow, use some thick paper to make a pattern. Lay the blade on the paper and trace it out, make sure if the widest part of the blade is down a ways from the handle that you make the entire opening above that point the same width or the knife won't insert into the finished sheath.(make sense?) Now use a ruler to measure out another line 3/8" outside the outline of the blade. When cut out this will form the pattern for what's called a "welt". The outside dimensions of the welt pattern can be used to draw out the pattern for the front of the sheath, and for the back, except you'll need to continue the back piece at least the length of the handle to leave room for a belt slot. Once the three pieces of the sheath are cut out of good vegetable tanned leather, you can use leather glue (Barge cement, it's like contact adhesive) to glue everything together. Now all you have to do is mark your stitching line (I use a pencil), punch the holes with a sharp awl, and saddle stitch using two needles and some good strong thread (I use waxed linen). Cut the slots for your belt (use a punch to make a clean hole at the end of the slots so they don't run), and put the durn thing on and go find something else to do. (choice of leather finish is up to you):D

Sarge
 
Much better, thanks.

What is the purpose of the welt? Why not just stitch the front and back together? Or will that make the fit too tight?
 
The welt makes room for the blade (thicker blade, thicker welt), but it also serves the important function of putting some leather between the blade edge and your stitched seam. Without a welt you could easily cut stitches while drawing/sheathing the knife, and your sheath would fall apart. The welt seems like more work, but well worth it for a sheath that's expected to see lots of duty and still hold up well. If punching holes through three layers of leather proves to be a chore, you can use a small drill bit and a drill press to get the job done. Many awls used in the middle ages, and also by Native Americans, had triangular points (picture a three corner file), that if properly honed and of good steel will pierce even the thickest leather with relative ease. My awl is such, I made the handle from carved whitetail antler and hardened the bit myself after shaping it. It'll go through the sole of your shoe like a rose thorn through pantyhose.:eek: :D

Sarge

Almost forgot, if you want a really nice sheath for your JKM-1, why not just contact Terry Sisco? Make yourself a rough sheath for work and have Terry make you a fancy one for carrying your JKM-1 amongst polite company. The JKM-1 gets kind of lost among all the other great HI blades, but it's no slouch for work and not a bad looking knife to boot. (mine is on my belt as I type this, I consider it part of getting dressed)
 
I'm shipping my UBE to Terry this weekend for a quick-draw holster, umm, scabbard. I've never done any leather work, and would like to learn. I don't expect a lot, so I won't be disappointed.

I understand about the rose thorns and pantyhose. The black latex is MUCH more durable. Oooops.
 
Aardvark - considering a role in Matrix 4? as a movie model khuk-wieldin', tight black sportin', rose-adorned, pantyhose villian...? :eek:
 
Aardvark - considering a role in Matrix 4? as a movie model khuk-wieldin', tight black sportin', rose-adorned, pantyhose villian...?
Click to expand...

Dan, that may just be too scary, even for Hollywood.
 
When I look at the title of this thread, I realize that it could only make sense in the Cantina:

"Boy, I sure hope Sarge is OK over there."

"Ah, don't worry, Sarge can take care of himself. Besides, he has a magic khukuri that he just turned invisible."

"Oh, good, now I won't worry about him so much."

:D

Stay safe, Sarge, you are in my thoughts. I hope things remain "boring" and you return home soon.
--Josh
 
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