Sheath Making Books/Videos?

[JTR357]

Hi all,I've been seriously considering taking on the art of sheath making, & other leather work..
I used to work with leather when I was a kid while working with a shoe maker/fixer.It was a long time ago.I was under 12yrs old & mostly just swept up,but he let me do some cutting & stitching.I really enjoyed it.


I did a google search on it & came up with a few sites,but I figured It would be more beneficial to ask the experts on this sub-forum.


Also love the smell of leather.

:thumbup:Appreciate any help

What do you think of this site?

Thanks

 

[sheathmaker]

The site you referenced is a tutorial by Chuck Burrows and he is one of the best there is, particularly for the hand done work. He also has a sheath making video and a holster making video available. He frequents this forum and I'm sure he will provide more specific details on how and where to obtain more of his information or you can go to his web site Wild Rose Trading Co. Just google Wild Rose and it will come up.

welcome to the forum and I hope you will post some of your work.

Paul

 

[JTR357]

Thank you for the answer Mr. Long.I've been admiring your work for quite some time now.I hope I can get close to your level of craftsmanship some day.
I'm constantly reminded of the wealth of talent here on Bladeforums.:thumbup:

 

[JTR357]

Hey guys,It's me again.I was hoping for a little more help here.I went to my local Barnes & Nobles book store & asked them if they had any sheath(or leather working) making books.Well,this being NJ & all,they looked at me like I had two heads.They had no idea what a sheath was.Then as soon as I mentioned knives,they gave me a sneer like I was talking about WMD's.I said "Thanks for nothing,now go hug a tree ya hippie filth!"...Well,I didn't say the last part,but felt like it.
I really want to start doing this,but don't know where to start(tools,supplies,where to get them...etc).
If you could suggest a good book or video,or post a link here,I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[sheathmaker]

Well, if you are an absolute beginner, I'd suggest you visit the closest Tandy/Leather Factory location and get a look at some of Al Stohlman's books. There are quite a few, and he presents the material along with illustrations that make it very easy to understand. These will also give you and insight as to what tools you want or need. Then, after you've been baptised, think about getting Chuck's video on sheath making. You might also visit the web site Leather Worker.net as just lurking there will get you quite a bit of information and at least get you to the point where you know what questions to ask. A lot of us here are also willing to help you, but you have to start it out with more specific questions.

Paul

 

[JTR357]

:thumbup:Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Paul.
Also,I'm going to check out Amazon.They usually have a large selection of books & videos.
I basically want to work with leather & nothing else.

 

[JTR357]

:thumbup:Thanks again Paul.I just registered on Leather Worker.net

It looks like a place I can learn a lot.

 

[Wild Rose]

See if any of this helps......
Here are the sources for supplies and tools and also some more on-line tutorials some of them I have written that can be helpful...
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_stitchpony.html
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/mexloop/_mexloop.html
http://www.knivesby.com/adj-welt.html
http://www.knivesby.com/dan-sheath-tutor-1.html

Below are suppliers:
Veg/Bark Tan Leather - I order the 8/10 oz Tooling-Holster
Wickett & Craig - my favorite www.wickett-craig.com

Dyes, all types of leather including some exotics, hardware, etc.:
Siegel of Ca - www.siegelofca.com
Leather Factory/Tandy
Mid-Continent Leather Sales Company (800) 926-2061 http://www.midcontinentleather.com/


Linen Thread - 5 cord left or right hand twist is a good all purpose thread:
Campbell- Bosworth: http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=linen - I have not used the less expensive Hungarian thread myself but reports that I have received from others who have state that it just fine and costs half as much as the Barbour's.

Tools: Cheap but OK:
Leather Factory/Tandy - the Craftsman brand

Tools: Better - Osborne and other better quality tools:
Mid-Continent Leather Sales Company (800) 926-2061 http://www.midcontinentleather.com/
Campbell- Bosworth: http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=linen
Leather Factory/Tandy and Siegel also sell Osborne tools

Tools: Best:
Jeremiah Watt - www.ranch2arena.com
Expensive but worth it - made by a master saddle maker and a heck of a nice guy!

I can recommend all of the above having used them for several years (some several decades) - There are many other suppliers including Hidecrafters. Montana Leather, Oregon Leather, and others including some suppliers on EBay - as always with any unfamiliar suppliers it's caveat emptor.....

Everybody does their craft some what differently so read as much as you can - I've been at this for 48 years and there is no SINGLE right way to do anything and most any experienced leather smith will tell you the same - but there are definitely some wrong ways though. The Tandy/LF books on cases can be of help and if you're interested in tooling leather than get some of those as well.................

 

[JTR357]

Whoa!

Thanks so much Wild Rose!:thumbup:

Thanks for the advice AND all the helpful links.Looks like I have some serious reading to do.