Selling knives without sheathes

Ivan Campos

Ivan Campos

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 4, 1999
Messages
2,509
The more I make sheathes, the more I don´t like it, and I think the fact that my sheathes are no better than "acceptable" makes it quite clear, so I am thinking seriously about stop making them and offer my knives without sheathes.
What do you think about it? Does anyone else does it? Would it hurt my business?
 
I think a good way to deal with that is to get some quality sheath makers identified on this forum that folks know they could send a knife to and end up with a nice peice. You would probably need to adjust your prices accordingly to allow for the purchase from a sheath maker, but you never know, if you are in demand, you can still command a given price for your product. Most knife makers I know would like to skip the sheath making part as well.
Jim
 
And what if I substitute it for a high quality nylon case?
 
It depends on your market, mine will either take Kydex or leather and sometimes both. I never messed with nylon, are they generic premaid for given length knives or are they made to the knife?
Jim
 
I am not thinking about nylon sheathes but nylon cases, similar to Bill´s Custom Cases and others.
 
I get it now. If it's not for putting on your waste, I think it would be fine for protecting and storing the knife. I'm still liking the idea of identifying the expert sheath makers that hang around here as a supply base for either the maker or customer to use.
Jim
 
As Jim said, if you aren't going to include a sheath with your knife, I would definitely list some people with whom your buyer could get in touch to have a sheath made.

If you find that your sales really take a hit, you could still find someone to make sheaths for you, so you don't have to do it yourself.
 
A custom knife should include a custom sheath. There are makers who do their own leather and others who sub the job out to people like Sandy Morrisey or Kenny Rowe. I make my own sheaths now, but it took me 2 yrs before I liked what I was producing. You might try to find someone who is willing to show you how to work leather, that's what I did. This is only my opinion on this subject, and you know what they say about opinions.... You have to decide what's right for you and your customers. Good luck and keep us informed.
 
Ive had Paul Long make me a number of sheaths now....amazingly fast turnaround, crazy nice tooling, and a great guy in general. I was sick of spending so much time on a knife, then creating a sheath that looked like a child cut up his old boots and glued pieces together.......
 
if you're looking for opinions,Ivan,heres mine for what it's worth.if you're in the high end bracket,it would pay to have a sheath made by one of the pros.I think it helps sell the knife.in my case,I cater to the hunting crowd.I've hung around the sheath-making forum on TKN long enough to be able to make a serviable,yet good looking sheath.to me,if I bought a knife,I would want a sheath with it without having to go elsewhere.hope this helps,Tom
 
As it has been said, I will say it once more...A custom knife needs a sheath!!..Sub it out...I just started making sheaths (been making gunholsters for several years) last month and I can tell ya, it takes a special touch to make a sheath "special"..But they are well worth the money...

It will cost more to have it done, BUT I think in the long run it will be worth it...The time spent making the sheaths could be spent making more knives..


BTW..I only started making knife sheaths cause I got hooked on HI Khukuris and I hate the sheaths that come with them!! So I figured I had the leather and stuff to work it already so why not?? now I have a migraine from working on knife sheaths!!:D They just arent as simple as ya think once ya get into the quickdraw models now are they??;)


If the above seems a rambling discourse, please remember that I sniff very strong glue for a hobby/living
 
Figured here would be as good as any to post it...heres a Paul Long that arrived in the mail today. It'd take longer for me to learn to make something like this than it took me to learn knives....hes been stamping for 50 years!

Anyone else have a list of sheathmakers and some examples? If you'd prefer me to create a separate thread, lemmie know.
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My wife is making the hell out of them, at a great price and they are look awesome too if anyone is interested. Frank
 
Ivan, I'd sub if I were you. Like the guys have said, there are great makers only a click away. Paul Long, Sandy Morrissey, MtMike, Kenny, Chuck and the others. I don't particularly care for the nylon bags, but that's just me. It's a nice way to ship something, but I've had knives made that I assumed would come with a sheath, only to open the box and see the black nylon case in the peanuts. Also, I've seen a knife scratched up along the liner from the zipper of a nylon case. I'm still trying to learn the art of sheathmaking, but until I do, I'll continue to use the guys, it's just plain worth it.
 
Tiktock,
that is one sweet looking knife sheath...Mr Long is truly an artist


I just started learning how to stamp and carve leather...Looks like I got a lot to learn huh?:D
 
Hi, Ivan.

As a learning knifemaker, I wonder about this. I look to you pros to see what you do. Should I spend my time refining my knifemaking slills, or learn another craft? I think it would depend on the knife.

My knives are basic. no bells and whistles (I don't know how to do them, yet). I make a "basic sheath" for them.

I have bought some of your knives, and I am glad they have something to carry them in. When I purchase a knife, I USUALLY want a sheath.

My 2 cents worth.
 
I'm in the same boat Ivan.....and I tried offering knives without sheaths. They didn't sell :grumpy:

Now I'm thinking of trying to take up leatherwork, and have also been contemplating the custom sheath route. Subbing out seems like a pretty good expense you're adding though, with shipping and all thats involved. When you're trying to offer knives at a low price point its a tough decision.
 
That really is a good looking sheath TikTock, it looks like a lot of work went into it.

I think a sheathmakers thread would be a great idea.:thumbup:

Mike
 
As you all probably know I'm not actually a maker. I've become a much much more frequent visitor to this section during the last few months because the IDEA of making blades appeals to me a great deal. I think if I can afford some equipment in the future I'll try my hand at this stuff because I have plenty of ideas in my head, but for now I'm a frequent window shopper and sounding board. I like to hear what everyone is doing and thinking and offer my opinion wherever I feel it's applicaple and this is another spot where I think my two cents wouldn't be unwelcome.

As a buyer and collector here's my outlook on sheaths...if the knife is ANY kind of folder with or without a pocket clip, balisong, AnYTHING with a folding blade I don't think there is any need for a sheath. The exception to that rule is the balisong, as while it does not NEED a sheath its design leands itself very very well to sheathed carry.

Fixed blades...they need a sheath. Unless the knife is so utterly fantastic (in the Gil Hibben sense of the word) that there would never be a reason to USE the knife, if it were entirely a decorative display piece like a full size broadsword or something, I wouldn't be concerned if it came with a sheath because the item would not require one if you just wanted to display it.

That being said...a nice sheath is a beautiful addition to the knife if it is done well. But honestly the knife is the point not the sheath, and I dunerstand perfectly well that you guys are knifemakers first and leatherworkers second, third, or sometimes 87th. If the sheath is serviceable and the blade exquisite...that's good enough for me. However that doesn't mean I'd be disinclined to pay more for a spectacular knife with a spectacular sheath to match. I'd expect to pay less for a shoe leather sheath than I would pay for a comparable knife with a great one, but that's just a realistic outlook.

My advice would be, if you don't want to make sheaths...don't. There are plenty of people out there who can make them for you. And if you go that route and have to raise the price of your knives to cover the cost of the sheaths...well then that's a more than acceptable increase in cost to the end user to account for a great sheath for the great knife.
 
I hate making sheaths! I enjoyed leather working when it was a casual hobby, but not when it was required. For years I told folks that you don't get a holster with your new pistol, because every one wants somthing different. Cross draw, South of the Border,Low ride, forward cant, FBI Cant. on and on.How do I know what a person wants. I've even lost sales at Gun and Knife shows because some one didn't like the sheath that came with the knife. I want mine Black. I want mine Brown. Well I started sending out all the fighters and daggers in Doskosil pistol cases that I bought from different sporting and shooting supply houses for about 4.00 each. Buyers were delighted. When ask why I don't make sheaths I tell them that for every Quality Knife maker, there is a hundred leather workers in town. Not to mention saddle rites, and shoe shops. Even Better a number of people that love to make nice custom sheaths. I don't expect them to make knives. Why should I take away their buisness by working leather.They don't take mine by tryingto make knives. It's two completly different crafts. This usually worked. I became known as mr. No sheath maker. Haaa!!! Now that I'm making the Loveless Connection Knives they have to have a Loveless desighned Quality Sheath with them. My wife does the sheath making around here.And does a Damn fine Job. But here's the catch. They can only get them one way. Bob Loveless's way. Haaaa! No more I would rather have black, I want baskett weave. You Get the Loveless Sheath period. I Love It. Heee! http://www.lovettknives.com/
 
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