Sheath made for my EDC Kephart

kyturkey

kyturkey

Joined
Oct 10, 2007
Messages
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Today I took the time to make a sheath for my EDC Kephart. A co-worker gave me some leather, and I bought a three pack of leather tools from Harbor Freight (edge beveller, adj. groover, and adj. v gouge- the gouge doesn't work well). Watched a couple you tube videos and got to work.

Here is the result.(took these outside as the sun was going down, really needed more light)

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A few screw ups, but it'll work. I can hold it upside down and shake it and the knife stays in. Overall I'm pleased with how it turned out.
 
danc said:
Very Nice! Have you worked with leather before? i am impressed
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This was my second sheath, but first fold over type. This one looks a lot nicer than the first.

Two years ago I made a stacked leather sheath for a Scrapyard S5. Same co worker gave me some scrap leather he got out of a dumpster at a leather factory. It was already dyed brown and was real soft, almost like suede. It worked but was really the wrong kind of leather for a sheath.

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NoahL said:
Nicely done! What did you finish it with?
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I actually haven't put any finish on it yet. I have mink oil, boiled linseed oil, and saw a couple videos of peolple dipping sheaths in wax, or putting some other leather finish on. Trying to decide what I need to do to it. Got any recommendations?
 
kyturkey said:
I actually haven't put any finish on it yet. I have mink oil, boiled linseed oil, and saw a couple videos of peolple dipping sheaths in wax, or putting some other leather finish on. Trying to decide what I need to do to it. Got any recommendations?
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My most important recommendation is this; DO NOT submerge the leather in hot wax! The temperature varies way too much and you can end up burning the leather or making it so hard that you can't even put your belt through the loop. Mink oil is fine, extra virgin olive oil is fine, neatsfoot oil is fine and several other oils are out there that will work--just rub them on and let them set. That said, oil is going to make your sheath softer and more flexible, and it is only water resistant instead of waterproof. I recommend wax-based finishes like Sno-Seal (which you can get at REI or Dick's Sporting Goods, usually) or Montana Pitch Blend, although there are others out there and you can make your own. The finish a sheath with a wax-based finish is to warm the leather a bit with a hair dryer, then rub the wax in and go back over it with the hair dryer. It will take you a little while to get everything to soak in, and you will have to stop if the leather gets too hot so you avoid drying it out and burning it, but it is going to be the best option. Lacquer-type finishes like Saddle Lac and Resolene are very popular as well but, in my opinion, make nice leather look and feel like plastic.
 
Hi Derek -

Very nice! That is a great combo - a KYTurkey Sheath and custom knife!

best regards -

mqqn
 
Thought I'd bring this up instead of starting a new thread.

Last year, I got my dad a Kentucky Fieldmate (thanks mykel m). One of the first things he noticed was it had a right hand belt sheath, and well he's let handed. I made him a left handed sheath and gave it to him for father's dad. A little improved over the last one, but I've still got a ways to go. At least its functional.

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And here are the two wet formed pouch sheaths I've done.

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Nice work, do you treat them with anything? I tried some leather wax and it turned it all black, :p, still works though.
 
KYenglish said:
Nice work, do you treat them with anything? I tried some leather wax and it turned it all black, :p, still works though.
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I tried finding some of Noah's suggestions locally without any luck. (Sno Seal or Montana Pitch Blend)

My friend who makes holsters, leather suspenders for firefighting bunker pants, and belts, gave me some finish that comes from Tandy. Not sure of the name, but it looks like watered down milk. That's what I used on these. Also, on the kephart sheath I used a wood stain for the dye, and the fieldmate sheath got a timber brown leather dye (also from tandy).
 
Those look great, As for leather treating, I prefer Obenauf's. Not only does it work well but the smell should be bottled and sold as men's cologne. Much like Hoppe's #9, it is a fantastic scent.
 
Very nice sheaths Derek,I'm still jealous you got to make a knife in John's shop.

Hope your dad's enjoying the Fieldmate,he sure has a great sheath to carry it in!
 
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