Need some suggestions

M

mt_hangglider

Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
312
So I have a new custom knife coming in and I would like your suggestions on belt sheath design... I do not have any still photos but have this video from the maker I uploaded to YouTube:

[youtube]6bZmjb67Ct4[/youtube]


As you can see by virtue of the design, it's quite a bit wider at the bottom than the top when closed. Normally, I would make a pancake style sheath to be carried on the left side of the belt like this:

23265419804_d57a8b3c14_z.jpg


The new knife, being much wider at the bottom than the top is going to present a problem with getting it in and out of the sheath, especially since I like to detail mold the leather to the knife.

Is there some simple solution I'm just not thinking of here? I could always do a larger, generic pouch style sheath but would prefer to mold it to the knife for the best retention and looks. It might not be possible with this one. Any thoughts, suggestions, or examples you can provide would are welcome! Thanks!
 
I suppose I could just mold it as usual but not stitch so close along the outline of the knife giving it enough room for that wider part to slip out the top if that makes sense. That's the best I've come up with so far...
 
Play with your paper pattern a little. Try designing it for tip up carry in the sheath. Tight wet forming is not always the best answer, and in my personal case with everything fully lined it never is the best solution.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
Play with your paper pattern a little. Try designing it for tip up carry in the sheath. Tight wet forming is not always the best answer, and in my personal case with everything fully lined it never is the best solution.

Paul
Click to expand...

Thanks as always for the reply Paul! I definitely understand what you're saying. I too line my sheaths with thin 2/3 or 3/4 oz veg tan and that can make things difficult. I like holsters and knife sheaths to be smooth inside and out.

I think I've come up with an interesting solution for this. I'm going to try a horizontal sheath with open top. I'll probably wet form it on the front side for purposes of good locking retention, leave the top of the sheath open and stitch up just past the butt of the knife. On the front, I'll stitch just half way so it is easy to slide up, forward, and out by hooking your finger on the flipper tab. For the back piece, I'll make a loop instead of slots like my normal pancake. Not sure that makes sense in words but I can see it in my head :). Anyway, I'll either do that or a vertical sheath that is stitched square instead of following the contour of the handle closely so that blade can be slid out the top... or tip up carry like you suggest but the flipper tab makes that difficult. You have a blade wanting to open every time you push it down in the sheath. Will report back next week with the verdict and a photo.
 
I made a sheath for a friends knife that had similar issues , sorry I don't have any pics , but i ended up using this store bought sheath for inspiration .
I molded the bottom half of the sheath to conform to the knifes shape and stitched that onto the back piece of leather ( i didn't copy the one piece wrap around like the sheath in the pic ) and used a single snap to secure the flap .
Carried horizontally it worked well , and as far as i know my friend still uses it .
These pics are ones I just took of the bought sheath and I put my Delica in it to for effect , but it was a solution for the odd shaped knife my friend has .






Ken
 
harronek said:
I made a sheath for a friends knife that had similar issues , sorry I don't have any pics , but i ended up using this store bought sheath for inspiration .
I molded the bottom half of the sheath to conform to the knifes shape and stitched that onto the back piece of leather ( i didn't copy the one piece wrap around like the sheath in the pic ) and used a single snap to secure the flap .
Carried horizontally it worked well , and as far as i know my friend still uses it .
These pics are ones I just took of the bought sheath and I put my Delica in it to for effect , but it was a solution for the odd shaped knife my friend has .






Ken
Click to expand...


Thanks for the reply Ken! The more I think about this, the more I think the kind of sheath you speak of is what I'm going to go with. Never done snaps before so that'll be a new adventure too. I'll be sure to post a photo when it's done. I'm expecting the knife to arrive Friday so hopefully I'll be able to get something made this weekend. Thanks again for the reply!
 
Here's the solution I ended up going with. Just made a little extra room for the blade to slide in and out the top. I'm going to keep thinking about other designs but this will let me carry it for now.
27290957744_719c3db60f_b.jpg
 
mt_hangglider said:
Here's the solution I ended up going with. Just made a little extra room for the blade to slide in and out the top. I'm going to keep thinking about other designs but this will let me carry it for now.
27290957744_719c3db60f_b.jpg
Click to expand...

I liked this solution as soon as I read it. I'm glad you went with it... creative problem-solving success!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top