Photos: New Sheath with Sintgray insert

[dschonbrun]

here's my latest... Thanks to Paul for his guidance on the insert.

I tried a stingray inlay, and used skived 5 oz leather as a filler to create volume and form. Added a sewn belt loop with screw-rivets.
I'm interested to get input from everyone on ways I can continue improving the results.

Enjoy!

 

[sheathmaker]

The Chicago screws on the belt loop are over kill and don't add to the aesthetics of the sheath.

This next part is my personal opinion only, others may vary, but I find the initials and gold colored dye a distraction.

The inlay installation looks very good! The stitching is superior!

Paul

 

[Mark Behnke]

The blade portion of the sheath is plain and simple ( this is good IMHO) the handle part is very busy with little to tie it to the inlaid portion, dividing the sheath in half. I'm no expert, just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt.

 

[dschonbrun]

Hi Mark, very valid point. In hindSight, the difference between the two sheath halves is significant. Removing the double veiner, and using white instead of natural brown for the letters might have tied the whole work together.

The knife handle is medium brown fiddleback. So, the colors do pull better with knife in place (slightly). The key is that I didn't preplan the entire aesthetic ahead of time.

 

[Wyszrd]

Your stitching makes me want to take the piece I'm currently working on and hurl it into the burn pit. Nicely done on that and the inlay! Looking at the sheath as two halves of a whole, the handle section will never match the natural beauty of the stingray, so any embellishment needs to complement it rather than compete with it. My opinion on it would be to stick to bordering and some texture with no color. Chicago screws might be useful for attaching accessories, but otherwise compete with the stingray, rather than complement it. I would round the tip ever so slightly so it doesn't look like slight pressure would deform it from side to side. Your skills are certainly superior to mine, I simply offer my aesthetic opinion.

 

[dschonbrun]

hi Wysrd,

Thanks for the positive notes on my stitching. I can share a few tips for stitching by hand I've learned.

1) I bought two 4-prong stitching chisels in the same diameter and spacing. I took one of them and removed the outside prongs... producing a 2-prong chisel. This allows me to do curves much more gracefully. Whenever using the chisels, I make sure one prongs is in a previous hole, preserving the spacing.

2) I don't go all the way through my leather with the chisel... only into/through the top layer. I use a drill press to finish my holes (preserves vertical) using a drill-bit that is smaller than my groove, but just wide enough for cobblers stitching (typically 2mm-2.5mm diameter).

3) After every complete stitch (the hole has thread going in both directions), tension both lines in opposition to countersink the thread into the groove. To get the best results, it's key to make sure this is done after every stitch; waiting 2 or 3 will not provide the same results.

4) For the second pass through a hole, always enter on the leading side of the hole (between the previous thread, and the fore edge of the hole. This reduces/eliminates the chance that your second needle will pierce the first thread as the sharp point goes through.

5) Groove the top only after the entire sheath is glued, assembled, and the edges sanded. This gives the best chance for the groove to remain a consistent distance from the final edge.

6) Create a groove in the underside only after you've drilled/chiseled holes. This will give you control to make sure the holes are centered in the channel.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
David

 

[Wyszrd]

I'll print your tips and keep them with me for my next one. Thanks!