retention strap

S.Alexander

S.Alexander

Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
2,614
I'm about to start a sheath for this knife and I've hit a mental roadblock. I want to add a retention strap and was looking for some suggestions.

I have snaps and was thinking about adding a strap over the top of the guard and having it snap to the front. I can't for the life of me figure out how I would attach the strap to the back of the sheath.

My other thought was to add a stud to the front of the sheath and have a removable leather strap that holds it on.

Any suggestions?

Here's a picture of my project so far. I'm planning on sewing the belt loop to the back as a seperate piece.

DSC_0454~2.jpg
 
Maybe I'm not understanding, but couldn't you just sew it on the back of the sheath before you sew the sheath together? Otherwise, you could use a short chicago screw, rivet, or use any of the above to attach the strap to the belt loop as well. That with a snap/sam brown stud on the front should work. Again, maybe I'm not understanding the question. Good luck.
 
Take a look at this removable retention strap. It's very easy, works well, and when not in use it can just hang from the stud by one end to prevent loss. It is generally out of harms way as far as getting cut. It does need to be fitted with the knife in the sheath after it is finished.

Paul
 
Thanks Paul, that was one of my ideas for the strap as well. That would juat mean another trip down to Tandy.

As for sewing the strap to the back of the sheath, I guess I just can't visualize where to sew it. Maybe I'm over thinking it. It seems that the belt loop would get in the way.

Does anyone have a photo of the back of a sheath with a sewn retention strap?
 
Paul's way, as always, is best and will likely yield you the most professional looking sheath. For a few alternative options, you could narrow your loop down a little and sew the strap on next to it and you should have clearance for the belt to pass over it without much issue. You could also make your belt loop piece wider, split a narrow section off the one side and fold it the opposite way for your retention strap. Also, you can cut the top layer of the sheath with the strap coming off the top on the spine side. It would then wrap all the way around the knife like the removable strap and fasten back in the front. I looked, I can't find photos of a sheath with this design.

Good luck,
Chris
 
I have once made the retention strap from the same piece as the belt loop as suggested above. It doesn't need to be cut at an angle as leather will adjust to shape. The only issue with that might be that your belt loop might end up quite narrow.
 
If you want to go with a single strap it can be inserted between the tails of the belt loop, cemented and then the same stitches that secure the belt loop will also catch the strap. The "bow tie" is much simpler and just as effective……maybe more.

Paul
 
Last edited:
Here's one where I stitched the strap in.

cjgaUxy.jpg


I made it so that the end of the strap was the shape of the stitched box. It's skived to match the taper of the inside belt loop.

After seeing a post by Paul I changed up the way I do it. I no longer stitch them in. I take great care in prepping the strap for cement and I tried it on a scrap. The fact that I can not pull the strap out without destroying something, and coupled with Paul's advice and experience, I'm convinced it's the best way for me.
 
Thanks for all the great advice everyone. Paul I think the bowtie look is elegant looking. I'm going to make it that way. Another trip to Tandy! I always end up spending more than I want to there...

Thanks for the photo Anthony. The visuals help me immensely.

Shane
 
S.Alexander said:
Thanks for all the great advice everyone. Paul I think the bowtie look is elegant looking. I'm going to make it that way. Another trip to Tandy! I always end up spending more than I want to there...

Thanks for the photo Anthony. The visuals help me immensely.

Shane
Click to expand...
Shane, just out of curiosity, what do you need more of to do the strap?

You're welcome. If there's anything I can do for you, or anyone, just ask. I've leant on plenty of people, just hope to return the favor.
 
Omega Leather Works said:
Shane, just out of curiosity, what do you need more of to do the strap?

You're welcome. If there's anything I can do for you, or anyone, just ask. I've leant on plenty of people, just hope to return the favor.
Click to expand...

I need a Sam Browne stud. I'll probably end up buying some new dye... And thread... Maybe a new stamp... It all adds up :o
 
I'm the same way, a kid in a candy store. :p
 
For as long as I can remember, the smell of leather has been intoxicating:) I also walk out of Tandy with more than intended, much like Haby's Bakery in castroville:D

This thread has been interesting. I didn't know leather cement was that strong. It certainly opens the door to adding a strap post-construction, where sewing isn't an option.
 
jdk1, I didn't say the retention strap was not stitched. What I said was the stitching for the belt loop would also lock in the retention strap. The cement will hold most of the stress for sure, but the loop stitching insures it won't break free. We'll go over this in detail when you visit my shop.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
jdk1, I didn't say the retention strap was not stitched. What I said was the stitching for the belt loop would also lock in the retention strap. The cement will hold most of the stress for sure, but the loop stitching insures it won't break free. We'll go over this in detail when you visit my shop.

Paul
Click to expand...
Ah, got it! That makes sense. I can't wait for the visit. Thanks again.
 
I like the bowtie look. Paul your sheaths are beautiful, nice classy look. I would like to try an inlay of something but dont know what would be easy to start with. I always want my next sheath to be better than the last one. nice work Anthony
jb
 
camaroless said:
I like the bowtie look. Paul your sheaths are beautiful, nice classy look. I would like to try an inlay of something but dont know what would be easy to start with. I always want my next sheath to be better than the last one. nice work Anthony
jb
Click to expand...

Snake is nice because it's so thin and can flex and stretch a little when needed. It's also relatively inexpensive depending on where you get it. Shark is by far my favorite exotic, but I haven't tried many others.

Obviously this is an overlay versus an inlay, but the thinness makes it very easy to deal with.

aPFAD3D.jpg


This is the strap on my round knife sheath.

ImnOh55.jpg


In this case the strap is simply stitched it to the back side.

4DJXgGI.jpg
 
Anthony the snake looks great but snakes freak me out even if they aint breathin..ill try the shark if I can figure out how. Im sure there are some posts..what is the stamp you used on the round sheath, looks nice
jb
 
camaroless said:
Anthony the snake looks great but snakes freak me out even if they aint breathin..ill try the shark if I can figure out how. Im sure there are some posts..what is the stamp you used on the round sheath, looks nice
jb
Click to expand...

springfieldleather.com/29293/Stamping-Tool,E684-S

(Edit- not sure why the link doesn't work, but they do sell it if you search their stamps)

I believe that's the one I bought. The design was created by a bespoke craftsman and I believe his are pretty spendy. While I like the tool I have, it does not make those lines on the inside as nicely as in the pic. Cheap tools are a crap shoot. Best to buy them from a place like Tandy where you can try them out before you buy. Grab a handful and buy the one that makes the most crisp impression. I have a few geometric stamps and the Dragon Skin stamp (my term) is my favorite. If you get one, practice before you stamp a project. It's not terribly difficult to use, but if you get off track it gets worse exponentially/radially, especially bad on large projects.

Snakes don't bother me, but their tanned hide use to. I bought a cobra skin wallet at a curio shop in San Francisco a few years back and it creeped me out for a while. :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top