Just for convenience when daytripping in the bush I made a sheath for my favorite Ontario 22" machete.
I started out with 3.75" wide strips of plastic that I cut out of a later model Chevrolet tailgate cap. The kind that looks like a short, stubby "wing".
After trimming them into the general shape of the machete (leaving extra room all around the perimeter) I glued in some spacer strips at the edges to act like the spacing on a leather sheath. Waterproof 2 part epoxy for plastic RULES!!!
I then glued and secured a poly belt loop made from a contractor's tool belt to the back of the sheath with epoxy and brass speed rivets and, using a leather sewing awl, stitched the belt loop as one normally would for a sheath.
After the spacers and face were epoxied into place, I added longer brass rivets along the perimeter about every 3 inches to guarantee it was bulletproof.
Following that assembly, the entire sheath was sprayed with a marine grade adhesive and then covered in a USMC style camo material (just for looks and I had it laying around).
Using a series of oil-impregnated cord (trot line material) wrappings I attached 3 MOLLE II double magazine M-14 pouches as well as 2 steel rings for securing the padded shoulder strap for the "ninja" carry option.
With the addition of the 3 pouches on the rigid sheath I cna haul around more stuff than I would ever need for a day hike or with what I can attach to my belt, enough to camp out with for days. No pack needed.
BTW, the machete itself has been modded with a set of homemade burlap micarta scales and wrapped in Home Depot Orange cord for increased grip. Surprisingly I haven't received a blister from it yet.
Just for kicks I'll toss in a pic of a knife I made a LONG time ago out of an old pry bar that I broke at work years back.
Yes the handle is hollow for those who may be curious.
I started out with 3.75" wide strips of plastic that I cut out of a later model Chevrolet tailgate cap. The kind that looks like a short, stubby "wing".
After trimming them into the general shape of the machete (leaving extra room all around the perimeter) I glued in some spacer strips at the edges to act like the spacing on a leather sheath. Waterproof 2 part epoxy for plastic RULES!!!
I then glued and secured a poly belt loop made from a contractor's tool belt to the back of the sheath with epoxy and brass speed rivets and, using a leather sewing awl, stitched the belt loop as one normally would for a sheath.
After the spacers and face were epoxied into place, I added longer brass rivets along the perimeter about every 3 inches to guarantee it was bulletproof.
Following that assembly, the entire sheath was sprayed with a marine grade adhesive and then covered in a USMC style camo material (just for looks and I had it laying around).
Using a series of oil-impregnated cord (trot line material) wrappings I attached 3 MOLLE II double magazine M-14 pouches as well as 2 steel rings for securing the padded shoulder strap for the "ninja" carry option.
With the addition of the 3 pouches on the rigid sheath I cna haul around more stuff than I would ever need for a day hike or with what I can attach to my belt, enough to camp out with for days. No pack needed.
BTW, the machete itself has been modded with a set of homemade burlap micarta scales and wrapped in Home Depot Orange cord for increased grip. Surprisingly I haven't received a blister from it yet.
Just for kicks I'll toss in a pic of a knife I made a LONG time ago out of an old pry bar that I broke at work years back.
Yes the handle is hollow for those who may be curious.
