- Joined
- Dec 10, 2007
- Messages
- 2,151
So I found myself with a couple of hours spare on Saturday afternoon and decided to do a bit of rummaging in my project box. I'm sure we've all got one, the box that you throw odd bits of 550 cord, webbing, clips etc into for future projects yet to be decided on.
Having just bought a TMDSF I needed a sheath for it. I tried it in my Spec-Ops Combat Master sheath and it fitted ok but I would need to either melt the liner for a better grip or make my own. This got me thinking about making one.
So I started with some glue, needle and thread, a plastic folder, a couple feet of tan 550 cord and about 30'' of webbing strap (I found this while hiking some logging trails, nothing beats free).
First I folded and marked the plastic sheet, from the folder, around the blade. Then I cut it and glued it. NOTE Put tape over your blade to prevent you getting cut, also when you glue it up the glue will stick to the tape not the blade. I simply put a large weight disc on top to squash my 'insert' flat and let the glue set.
I now hand stitched along one edge of the webbing, I stitched about 1/16th in from the edge to prevent wear on the stitching. At the bottom I had about 4-5'' of 550 cord in a loop. I stitched the loop into the bottom of the sheath to give attachment points. Next I put the knife in the plastic insert and stitched the other side. It's a very tight fit so no need to glue the insert in or worry about it falling out. I then folded the non-sheath running end of the webbing over and made a belt loop out of it by stitching it along the back of where the opening on the front is.
Finally I wrapped some 550 cord diagonally down the sheath to see how that would work for attaching to packs etc. The loop at the bottom works well for this to.
The sheath works very well for tip down carry and has some retention in handle down carry but not enough for me to be comfortable hiking with it like that. I tried an elastic strap but the weight of the knife is too much for it. Im not looking at sewing a piece of webbing with velcro on it behind the handle to form a loop around the handle. I'm sure you know what I mean.
Lessons I learned:
1) Use pliers to push the needle through, saves your fingers a lot of damage.
2) Make sure when glueing the plastic insert you have the knife in otherwise it will glue flat and will be too tight for the knife to be inserted.
3) The 550 cord loop worked well, 2 or 3 more spread along the length of the sheath in the same fashion would have worked really well.
4) Always have factor in about 20% more materials than you think you need. This includes thread, 550 cord, plastic sheath and webbing. You can always trim you can't always extend.
5) Think ahead what features you want, loops, retention straps etc. Then think how you will attach them. Then think at what stage you will attach them. Thinking backwards is sometimes needed. It will save you some awkward stitching and a lot of frustration later on.
6) If you plan on doing a thread on this have your camera handy and take pics often. Don't wait until you're done then think ''Oh I could do a thread on this''
I should have enough webbing to make a Mark II version so I'll think this one out a bit and maybe give it a go next weekend.
Having just bought a TMDSF I needed a sheath for it. I tried it in my Spec-Ops Combat Master sheath and it fitted ok but I would need to either melt the liner for a better grip or make my own. This got me thinking about making one.
So I started with some glue, needle and thread, a plastic folder, a couple feet of tan 550 cord and about 30'' of webbing strap (I found this while hiking some logging trails, nothing beats free).
First I folded and marked the plastic sheet, from the folder, around the blade. Then I cut it and glued it. NOTE Put tape over your blade to prevent you getting cut, also when you glue it up the glue will stick to the tape not the blade. I simply put a large weight disc on top to squash my 'insert' flat and let the glue set.
I now hand stitched along one edge of the webbing, I stitched about 1/16th in from the edge to prevent wear on the stitching. At the bottom I had about 4-5'' of 550 cord in a loop. I stitched the loop into the bottom of the sheath to give attachment points. Next I put the knife in the plastic insert and stitched the other side. It's a very tight fit so no need to glue the insert in or worry about it falling out. I then folded the non-sheath running end of the webbing over and made a belt loop out of it by stitching it along the back of where the opening on the front is.
Finally I wrapped some 550 cord diagonally down the sheath to see how that would work for attaching to packs etc. The loop at the bottom works well for this to.
The sheath works very well for tip down carry and has some retention in handle down carry but not enough for me to be comfortable hiking with it like that. I tried an elastic strap but the weight of the knife is too much for it. Im not looking at sewing a piece of webbing with velcro on it behind the handle to form a loop around the handle. I'm sure you know what I mean.
Lessons I learned:
1) Use pliers to push the needle through, saves your fingers a lot of damage.
2) Make sure when glueing the plastic insert you have the knife in otherwise it will glue flat and will be too tight for the knife to be inserted.
3) The 550 cord loop worked well, 2 or 3 more spread along the length of the sheath in the same fashion would have worked really well.
4) Always have factor in about 20% more materials than you think you need. This includes thread, 550 cord, plastic sheath and webbing. You can always trim you can't always extend.
5) Think ahead what features you want, loops, retention straps etc. Then think how you will attach them. Then think at what stage you will attach them. Thinking backwards is sometimes needed. It will save you some awkward stitching and a lot of frustration later on.
6) If you plan on doing a thread on this have your camera handy and take pics often. Don't wait until you're done then think ''Oh I could do a thread on this''
I should have enough webbing to make a Mark II version so I'll think this one out a bit and maybe give it a go next weekend.
