Paul - May I ask a few questions about your "Advanced Sheath Making" Video?

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

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Mar 19, 2007
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I figured I would post this here in case some other people had some of the same questions. I hope that is okay.


1) In terms of Round Knives - what size or design do you use the most? I am looking to try one - but I would like to start with a size that makes sense.

2) Your paste Pot. How does that work for you? Do you have to clean it or maintain it often?

3) Why do you not burnish the inside of the window before glue up and stitching? Is that not done on inlays? (Sorry if this one is obvious - I have not tried my hand at an inlay)

4) Why do you not rough up the surface of the leather when gluing on the "Chevrons"? I always heard to do this to get more adhesion. Or is it a matter of when they stitching occurs it really doesn't matter?

5) When you are setting the stitch lines for you Chevron's - is that a small wing divider?

6) Do you sell the custom Paul Long "Piece of Old Bed Sheet" that you use in edging?

6) What did you do to your right elbow before filming? It looks like you laid your Harley down on the road and got a little road rash.

7) Is that plain brown paper you do your gluing on - or wax paper?

8) I noticed you use white Feibings Saddle Soap on your edges - does the color matter at all - or does yellow work as well?

9) Your Elmers Glue Trick on gluing the stitch in place - does that work on waxed thread as well?

10) I noticed there was a two dollar off coupon on pizza on your table - is that standard for all leather makers? Should I leave on on my table to get better?

Okay - so - some of those questions are serious. ;)

Thanks for the great video.


For those that don't know what I am referencing - Check out the signature line in Paul's Signature - he has a link to Chris Crawford's site where you can buy it.

Thanks,

TF
 
1. I have a total of 9 round or head knives. Several different shapes and sizes. My go to favorite for most things is my Danny Marlin #128 custom, but I do use them all at one time or another, but 9 is way to many. View the DVD again and note the knife I use to cut the final shape of the sheath.

2. I simply would not be without my glue pot, and I think I explain that in DVD #3. Practically no trouble, but I sort of keep it clean as I go and clean the exterior of drips and spills with each filling. It is MANY YEARS old and still works like new. Expensive and worth every penny.
I think the glue pot is a "must have" for any serious or semi serious maker. I rarely get cement where I do not want it.

3. In DVD #2 "Advanced Blade Sheaths" I cover the process of inlays. I split that top piece and insert the inlay. The window thickness is not much and with the exterior border stitching lays down nicely and does not require burnishing.

4. That chevron winds up on a finished sheath stitched on all four sides plus the Contact cement. No need to rough up the leather for a better bond.

5. Yes.

6. Hadn't thought of that, but just any old bed sheet or similar will do!

6a. At my age I have a ding or bruise somewhere on my body at all times.

7. Actually I break down and cut up the used Priority Mail Boxes in the larger sizes and recycle them as glue up mats.

8. I prefer the white, because the yellow will frequently leave a yellow stain that I don't like. The white does not.

9. The Elmer's trick works on any thread waxed or otherwise.

10. It's only weird if it doesn't work!

and finally........you are very welcome.

Paul
 
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Thanks a ton for taking the time to answer all of these.

I think what I have taken away from this video is that... all I need to do is get a pizza coupon and I should be making better sheaths in NO TIME! ;)


Seriously though. I was stunned how you were able to turn out this piece in essentially 1.5 hours of time. I know some of the process was cut where it was a repetitive process - but it could not have been much over two hours total. That part amazed me.

Of course knowing what your doing and a great pattern are part of this - but for me I learned the value of drum dyed leather of the appropriate color.

I loved watching the speed beveler at work - and will be picking one of those up and practicing with it right away. I need to get a good swivel knife first - but those two purchases will go hand in hand, I think.

Thanks again!

TF
 
Peter,

He uses an old bed sheet to burnish and makes an argument in his second video that, in his experience, he has found this to be as good as anything when burnishing.

I have tried quite a few things (Jeans, tea towels, burlap, and the like) and have not found this to be the case.

Then I wondered if the Paul Long Mojo in his house infected the sheets and made them special.


Wow - that last sentence came out all wrong. ;)

Anyway - I am going to go through Paul's burnishing method step by step and see what it does for me. I had not been using saddle soap - so that will allow me to learn more as well.


TF

P.s. Paul - I love your wood and leather work (not to mention steel). I remember seeing one of your Tanto's before and saying 'How did he get THAT finish on the leather - to realize later it was fiddleback maple. Nice work man!
 
"P.s. Paul - I love your wood and leather work (not to mention steel). I remember seeing one of your Tanto's before and saying 'How did he get THAT finish on the leather - to realize later it was fiddleback maple. Nice work man!"

Tal, sorry to burst your bubble, but I have never made a wood sheath or done any wood work and have never made a knife, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express and I do know a couple of guys who have excelled at both.

Paul
 
Ug - I MEANT to address that to Peter. You know - Peter - Paul... If I used Mary maybe it would have made more sense.

EDIT:

I think it was this one:

6088681_orig.jpg


TF
 
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