nickle silver sheaths

G

gary geisler

Joined
Oct 23, 1999
Messages
6
been trying to make a metal sheath ,no luck how thick should the stock be? and when you go to solder the two pieces together what kind of joint do you use{butt, overlap etc] thanks for the help Merry Christmas to all Gary,

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gary
 
This is just my opinion, but if I were going to have a knife with a metal sheath I wouldn't want it to be nickel silver. I've used it for bolsters and the finish gets bad way to easy to want big pieces of it on my work. You might try getting some stainless sheeting and putting a real high finish on it.It would still scratch but not quite so easily.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
I agree that stainless is the way to go ,but I'm in the process of copying a antique bowie and want to stay as authentic as possable, gary
 
Gary, I'd suggest carving a hardwood dummy to form the sheath with, like cut with a band or scrollsaw and shaped, then after the sheaths shaped, use lap joints soldered from the back side. I hope you post the finished pics, you don't see a lot of sheaths like that. I formed the only one I ever did from an old steal bayonet scabbard, I ground the ball tip off. It was as much work as making the knife.

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Jake Evans Member of the HORDE, SKULL BASHER, Wielder of the Mighty Blade Soul Stealer
 
Jake you are right about the case being more work than the knife. I made forming dies approximately .012 oversize to start both male and female but the joint has been a real sticker for me, as well as thickness tried .06 stock it doesn't form well we'll keep on trying a wood pattern may be better thanks for the help and merry Christmas Gary
 
making a nickle silver sheath is no small feat..for one thing make sure you get good nickle...the kind that doesnt turn yellow.. the best type of seam is a butt seam where both sides just butt up and you silver solder them together.....i am sure you have seen plenty of pics of the flawless work some of the great dagger and period piece makers like charlie wiess and most of the guys in utah have done thru the years... it is very difficult...talk to as many people as you can about it and do your homework.. most guys make a wooden form and fit it around that.....and most of them line it with suede......buster warenski has made some that are as awesome as his knives... good luck.(you will need it)

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
yOU ARE RIGHT i'VE BEEN FORMING MY LITTLE HEART OUT AND HAVE A BUNCH OF ALMOSTS TO SHOW FOR IT THINK .040 MUST BE ABOUT THE RIGHT THICKNESS NOW THINK i'LL TRY THE WOODEN FORM BEEN USING STEEL THANKS FOR THE INPUT gARY]Originally posted by tom mayo:
making a nickle silver sheath is no small feat..for one thing make sure you get good nickle...the kind that doesnt turn yellow.. the best type of seam is a butt seam where both sides just butt up and you silver solder them together.....i am sure you have seen plenty of pics of the flawless work some of the great dagger and period piece makers like charlie wiess and most of the guys in utah have done thru the years... it is very difficult...talk to as many people as you can about it and do your homework.. most guys make a wooden form and fit it around that.....and most of them line it with suede......buster warenski has made some that are as awesome as his knives... good luck.(you will need it)

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Gary, if it was an antique bowie, the sheath was probably silver. If you wanted to make a silver sheath, nows the time to do it. Silver is dirt cheap. Pick up some low grade silver dollars and either hammer them out or melt them. You might even want to try making a mold and casting it. I'm sure your library has information on sandcasting.I sure would like to see the final results and the methods you use if you cast the sheath! Take alot of pictures for the forums.

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"



[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 25 December 1999).]
 
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