Sheath in progress

Bailey Knives

Bailey Knives

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2004
Messages
3,818
So I worked on this sheath yesterday. I had it all cut out and the border scribed in, and I said to myself, "how should I finish the inside, maybe basketweave?" Then I said "Nah, the knife is huge, that would take too long. I will just draw some of the scroll work on it that I have been practicing for a while, that probably wont take as long"
Well four hours later, the scroll work was done.

Here it is waiting for a welt and some stitching.

Hopefully it will look good when done.

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Matt, I was about to comment on how outstanding the sheath was when I clicked on your link and viewed your gallery of knife. After viewing your knife work, the sheath is everything I would expect, as your attention to every detail is so evident.

Outstanding.
 
Thanks everyone.

Carl_First_Timer said:
Very nice. What do you use to make the patterns?
Click to expand...

Nothing, the design is freehand. I have spent about the last year or so doodling scrollwork at every chance I get. I got a book on engraving and started using some of the techniques in there. As far as the actual sheath layout, I followed the instructions on Paul Long's dvd with a couple minor changes (this one wont be buckskin lined. Someday, but not this one.)
 
Nicely done. Gotta wonder why you did so much work on the back side though. :p
It'll be a shame to glue and sew down the loop over such nice tooling and carving.

I guess it goes without saying that basketweave stamping would've taken a fraction of that time. Good on you though for doing something new.

What engraving book did you get. I'm looking to find a good one.
 
Yeah, I dont even think about the back of the knife. I just make the design, then fold the loop over it. I did cover up some of the scroll work, but not much.

The book is called "The Art of Engraving" by James B. Meek. It is good and gives some basic beginner knowledge, which is all I have at this point. It also goes into very advanced stuff, that I might look at in 3-30 years, whenever I feel I am ready. It makes me realize how talented some of the engravers are, I have seen stuff here on the forum that make my head spin. Makes my piddley attempt on the sheath look like it was drawn by my 3 year old.
 
Don't sell your efforts short. You've got some really graceful lines going there. I'm not sure how much of this you've done but like anything, the first few attempts are really just starting to learn the tools.

I only mention the back of the sheath thing because in Paul's video he only loops the pattern around enough until you can't see it. The good thing about doing it your way though is that the back can be a good way to start the "flow" of the pattern so by the time you get to the front it's going the right way. :p

Whenever I try carving, I must do about 3-4 versions on scrap before I start the sheath and then it never really matches what is in my head or my pencil drawing.

Thanks for the info on the book.. I think I'll try to pick up a copy as that sounds about exactly the type of book I want. Beautiful scroll work always looks easier than it is. As I'm sure you know, visualizing the pattern is as much work as doing it. (well for me anyway.)
 
Very cool, Matthew. I really like your knives, too. They are classy. One thing though, Chuck Norris never cries.
 
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