Pointers on How to Make a Sheath...Anyone?

R

RickyB

Joined
Dec 30, 2006
Messages
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I have an EK generation III Ausie Bowie and would like to make a sheath. This knife will become my fixed blade carry knife so I will need a sheath that will retain the knife fairly well. I have never attempted leather work so this will be my first project, I welcome all the advice I can get.



Thanks,
RB
 
RickyB said:
I have an EK generation III Ausie Bowie and would like to make a sheath. This knife will become my fixed blade carry knife so I will need a sheath that will retain the knife fairly well. I have never attempted leather work so this will be my first project, I welcome all the advice I can get.



Thanks,
RB
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RickyB,

A pic of the knife would help a lot. basically does it have a full guard, or just one that extends below the edge, if any? Also what type of sheath do you want? That makes a big difference.

To get you started on a pouch type of sheath, one of the easiest to make and perhaps one fo the most secure. Draw a straight line down the center of a piece of paper. I then lay the spine of the knife on that line and carefully roll it to one side of the line, trace around the knife, then roll it to the other side of the line and trace around it again. This should give you enough space to allow the knife to fit snuggly but not too tight. I then take and draw the basic outline of one side of the sheath on one side of the knife drawings. For example, I usually start on the left side drawing and draw a line 3/4 of an inch away from the widest part of the knife. Then slowly lay out my sheath pattern. It's really quite simple once you do it a couple of times. Instead of drawing the whole sheath, I only do one side, fold the paper in half on the first center line that I drew, and transfer the pattern to the other side. Cut it out and you have the beginning of your basic pouch sheath. Now I realize that I probably left out some steps, but feel free to e-mail me for some more clarification if you need it.

A fork works great for laying out your stitching patterns. I like to add an extra layer of leather between the two sides of the pouch. The stitching goes through this layer and it is to protect the stitching from the knife. I always called it a welt, but I'm sure there is a more correct term.

Anyway, e-mail if you need some more clarification.

Thanks,

Charles
 
There's a sticky link at the top of the forum, "Makers > Shop Talk: Knifemakers Question and Answer" title is something like "For the new maker as well as you old fogies check it out". Something like that. Anyhow, in that thread are a handful of links to sheathmaking tutorials, written by some of the big names :thumbup:
Mike
 
Crawl before you walk. Buy scrap leather from craft stores to practice on. It is MUCH cheaper. You don't need all the fancy tools for your first project. Improvise where possible.

stdlrf11
 
Thanks for all the advice. I bought a scrap piece of leather today, I plan to start tomorrow. I was not going to stitch it together, I bought some hammer type brads instead. I know it will not be pretty but I am looking for utility here. I want a sheath that is comfortable to wear and retains the knife securely. I hope that is what I end up with when I am finished.


Thanks,
RB
 
Thanks to all for your responses. This is a great forum because of the people who take time to answer questions no matter how trivial they may seem or how many times they have been asked.

RB
 
RickyB said:
Thanks to all for your responses. This is a great forum because of the people who take time to answer questions no matter how trivial they may seem or how many times they have been asked.

RB
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That's how we all started, glad you're having fun here and good luck with the project.:)
 
RickyB,

Forgot to mention to get you 3-4 of those spring clamps that have a ratchet action to them and get some decent leather glue (contact cement). Really helps to glue up the sheath to the shape before trying to stitch, or rivet or whatever. Also when you have it together, hit the edge on the belt sander with the finest sandpaper you have to even everything up and really finish it off.

Charles
 
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