New pants for my BA3

[nick681]

Here we go again. Standard disclaimer about lousy pics is in effect.

I have wanted to try a few different techniques in sheath making for some time now so I combined them in one sheath.

Inlay. One of the things I like in a sheath is a nice inlay. This one is some lizard-print embossed leather I got from the scrap box at the Leather Factory. I figured the color would complement both the leather and the snake skin micarta. Besides I didn't want some to waste a perfectly good piece of lizard skin in case the sheath didn't turn out like I wanted.

Horizontal/Crossdraw. I have seen others do this and decided I should try it. I decided to cant the belt loop a little bit to get the sheath to ride in a slightly "handle up" position.

I left the edge un-colored. I like the wood-like look of the edge so I just burnished the edge and finished it "clear". I though this would also complement the snake skin micarta. I am not so sure about this part though. I don't think I will be using this edge treatment again.

Anyway here are the pics.

Overall this sheath was a big experiment. Let me know what y'all think.


Best Regards and Merry Christmas,

Nick

 

[MORIMOTOM]

great looking sheath.


except that abale doesnt look quite right. i have a knife that would fit better.


trade ya!!

 

[wayne37]

Looks sweet !

 

[mikeymoto]

Hi Nick, good stuff! :thumbup:

Here's the important thing: how does it work for you?

Regarding the edge finish, did you do it on a belt sander or something? It looks burnt in places, or else it's splotchy dye. On my first couple sheaths I got splotches like that from being too liberal with the gluing up and then not finishing the ends well enough before dying.

 

[xaman]

it looks nice and clean, stitches are amazingly straight, and great job on the inlay.

You might use a lighter / thinner piece for top (over the inlay.)

But I love it, very nice...

 

[nick681]

Regarding the edge finish, did you do it on a belt sander or something? It looks burnt in places, or else it's splotchy dye. On my first couple sheaths I got splotches like that from being too liberal with the gluing up and then not finishing the ends well enough before dying.

I did not dye the edges, as I normally would. The splotchy look is because I used two different thicknesses of leather and each one took the dye differently and because I didn't dye the middle layers evenly. Had I dyed the edges I would have gotten a uniform appearance. I was trying for a pleasing effect to accent the micarta.......well not so much.

I am not too worried. This sheath was more of an experiment with different methods than anything else. I may sand it down tomorrow and dye the edge.

You might use a lighter / thinner piece for top (over the inlay.)

Yeah I know..but I used what I had handy.

Thanks for the input and kind words. I am glad to get feedback from others, as they can often see what I may overlook. And I am happy as long as I learn something each time I complete a project and when each one is better than the last.

Nick

 

[leatherman]

Experimentation is a good thing, I have a lot of those on my personal blades here, some good some stay in the closet for a reason.

I like your willingness go go for it! Thats the hardest part of sheathmaking is taking a chance on something your not sure about, good on ya! One thing I'd do personally is round off the shoulders of the sheath, makes the overall piece flow better and keeps the corners out of tender spots. I like your idea about the edges, I tend to like that wood look too. Sometimes you can get it with a light saddle tan dye coat, that way the layers show through and you still get an even color to the edge. Your loop attachment looks nice and strong, good work.

Like I say to all the budding leatherbenders, if you have a question or get stuck on something, gimme a holler!

 

[azshaman]

Nick--Really nice work! :thumbup: I agree about the edge treatment, but you don't know if you don't try, right? Good work, and keep it up!

A girl needs a knife...