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A word of thanks to Codger_64 for getting this contest approved by the mods to be run in the W&SS forum: Thanks.
Background: This contest is designed to get W&SS and all Bladeforums members to try to develop a new skill. That is to say, to take an ancient skill, sewing, and add it to their survival bag of tricks. While the contest is called a Sheath making contest, we could have used making moccasins or constructing packs as the subject. This contest is not about sheaths per se, its about developing or practicing a useful skill set. Thats why it is in W&SS and not a Sheath forum.
That being said, the goal of this contest will be to get people who have never made a sheath or sewn anything to make a functional knife sheath. Obviously, sheaths can be constructed without sewing, so I am going to artificially place some constraints on sheaths made for this contest to compel participants to use sewing in the construction of their sheaths, while trying not to stifle anyones creativity.
Why sewing?
Sewing is an ancient and, in my opinion, vital skill. The oldest known needles were made of bone and found in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in Sibudu cave. They date back 61,000 years. That predates agriculture. Bronze needles were made around 4000 years ago. The Chinese were producing needles for sale around 1,200 A.D. (still available at Walmart). Leonardo Da Vinci worked on developing a machine to polish the points of needles in 1496. Needles were prized possessions of early trappers and pioneers who needed to repair or make clothing, moccasins, and sheaths.
While we all love knives and their ability to deconstruct stuff, needles allow one the ability to fashion or repair items through construction. I think the old adage about for want of a nail, a shoe was lost could be equally well applied to the needle.
When I was deployed, I kept a set of needles and strong thread in my E&E kit. Now, I keep a small gear repair kit in my pack when camping, of course, with needles and threads. I think the ability to make repairs to packs, belts, clothing and even shoes can be a huge advantage in a survival situation. Most of the outdoor authors Ive read also recommend keeping a sewing kit to make repairs.
I first got interested in sheath making after reading Cliff Jacobsen and other outdoors authors who recommended making sheaths for specific outdoor purposes. While I have used my needles and thread to make various field repairs, only recently have I tried my hand at sheath making. Its frustrating. Its fun. Its satisfying. So, this should be a contest where everybody wins. At the end of the contest, if nothing else, youll have a new sheath and some improved skills.
I know that I will be asking a lot from the participants in this contest. Accordingly, I have selected what I consider to be an amazing prize. I hope that you will give the contest a shot, not for the prize, but for your own satisfaction and development.
The Contest: Its simple. Make a new sheath for one of your knives or tools, e.g. a multitool. While you can use any material you like, e.g. wood, leather, kydex, etc there must be some element of sewing incorporated into the sheath. The sheath must be constructed after Nov 01, 2015 and before Jan 31, 2016, when the contest ends. I feel that 3 months gives people enough time to get materials, develop a pattern, and make a good sheath without feeling unduly rushed or pressured. Take your time, make something you will enjoy. It will need to be a durable sheath worthy of an expedition to qualify.
The Prize: I know Im asking a lot, so I have asked the guys at Fiddleback Forge to make a special knife for the W&SS crowd. They have graciously agreed (Huge thanks!). I believe the knife will be a Terrasaur. For those not familiar with the Terrasaur, it is a Scandinavian inspired woods knife with a 4.25 blade (+/-) and an OAL of around 9. I cant show you a picture, because it hasnt been made yet (I did add a link to the Fiddleback website describing the Terrasaur). And, yes, you guessed it, a sheath will NOT be included. After all, youll be able to make your own!
The Rules: Here is where it gets complicated .
1. You must make a new sheath. The sheath must include elements of sewing, e.g. a nylon strap sewn onto a kydex sheath. My preference would be to see everyone make a leather sheath, but I feel it is unfair to limit the materials used. I reserve the right to disqualify any submission I deem to have insufficient stitchingthis is a skills contest, not an art-sheath contest! Make an ugly sheath as long as it works and is stitched.
2. To qualify as an entry, you must make a sheath that a) is designed for wilderness and survival use, and b) I would be willing to take to Alaska during the rainy season for two weeks. If you stitch together duct tape and newspaper using Moms sewing kit, I will reject that submission. If you are concerned that your entry may not qualify, submit a design and ask if it will meet my somewhat fickle criteria. I can tell you right now that while a sheath made with a 3-D printer will impress me, it will not qualify for this contest.
3. Each participant may only enter one sheath. If I disqualify your sheath from entry because it lacks the above elements, you may submit another entry, time permitting.
All entries must include the following at a minimum: a) a photo depicting the sheath materials, the knife or tool it is designed for, and a dated handwritten sign that states Bladeforums with the date made, e.g. Bladeforums, 30 Jan 2016. (this is to ensure that people arent entering knives they made in high school shop class 8 years ago), b) a picture of the front and back of the completed sheath, and c) a picture of the completed sheath with the specified knife or tool in place and in use, e.g. a machete lashed to a pack or a multitool in a belt sheath, preferably in a wilderness setting. Please feel free to enter photos as you go through the process, I will keep track using a spreadsheet to ensure all three photos have been submitted.
4. You must have fun while doing this. We will use the honor system for this. If you are not having fun, you must disqualify yourself.
5. I will be the final arbiter of which entries qualify as acceptable entries. I reserve the right to consult with actual sheath makers for advice if I get confused. I may ask you to clarify how you made the sheath and what makes it durable. If I reject an entry, you may appeal my decision, but, again, to keep it simple, Ill make the final call.
6. All complete entries (three photos depicting the knife/tool and materials, completed sheath, and sheath in use) must be submitted by midnight 31 Jan 2016.
From the pool of qualified entries, I will randomly draw a winner using a deck of cards. If we get more than 52 entries, Ill use an on-line random number generator. Participants are not competing against other participants. Its not an art contest; its a skills contest. Please share advice, resources, and ideas. The challenge is for participants to complete a sheath; lady luck will take care of the rest.
7. To win the prize, you must be legally able to own a knife with a 4.5 blade. If you are younger than 18 years-old, you must have parental approval to receive such a knife. I will accept entries from outside the USAthis is an international forum.
Im sorry to be so pedantic about the rules, but I dont want there to be any confusion. I want everybody to have a fair shot. If I have not been clearand thats certainly possibleplease ask me to clarify in this thread.
Best of luck and have fun!
Background: This contest is designed to get W&SS and all Bladeforums members to try to develop a new skill. That is to say, to take an ancient skill, sewing, and add it to their survival bag of tricks. While the contest is called a Sheath making contest, we could have used making moccasins or constructing packs as the subject. This contest is not about sheaths per se, its about developing or practicing a useful skill set. Thats why it is in W&SS and not a Sheath forum.
That being said, the goal of this contest will be to get people who have never made a sheath or sewn anything to make a functional knife sheath. Obviously, sheaths can be constructed without sewing, so I am going to artificially place some constraints on sheaths made for this contest to compel participants to use sewing in the construction of their sheaths, while trying not to stifle anyones creativity.
Why sewing?
Sewing is an ancient and, in my opinion, vital skill. The oldest known needles were made of bone and found in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in Sibudu cave. They date back 61,000 years. That predates agriculture. Bronze needles were made around 4000 years ago. The Chinese were producing needles for sale around 1,200 A.D. (still available at Walmart). Leonardo Da Vinci worked on developing a machine to polish the points of needles in 1496. Needles were prized possessions of early trappers and pioneers who needed to repair or make clothing, moccasins, and sheaths.
While we all love knives and their ability to deconstruct stuff, needles allow one the ability to fashion or repair items through construction. I think the old adage about for want of a nail, a shoe was lost could be equally well applied to the needle.
When I was deployed, I kept a set of needles and strong thread in my E&E kit. Now, I keep a small gear repair kit in my pack when camping, of course, with needles and threads. I think the ability to make repairs to packs, belts, clothing and even shoes can be a huge advantage in a survival situation. Most of the outdoor authors Ive read also recommend keeping a sewing kit to make repairs.
I first got interested in sheath making after reading Cliff Jacobsen and other outdoors authors who recommended making sheaths for specific outdoor purposes. While I have used my needles and thread to make various field repairs, only recently have I tried my hand at sheath making. Its frustrating. Its fun. Its satisfying. So, this should be a contest where everybody wins. At the end of the contest, if nothing else, youll have a new sheath and some improved skills.
I know that I will be asking a lot from the participants in this contest. Accordingly, I have selected what I consider to be an amazing prize. I hope that you will give the contest a shot, not for the prize, but for your own satisfaction and development.
The Contest: Its simple. Make a new sheath for one of your knives or tools, e.g. a multitool. While you can use any material you like, e.g. wood, leather, kydex, etc there must be some element of sewing incorporated into the sheath. The sheath must be constructed after Nov 01, 2015 and before Jan 31, 2016, when the contest ends. I feel that 3 months gives people enough time to get materials, develop a pattern, and make a good sheath without feeling unduly rushed or pressured. Take your time, make something you will enjoy. It will need to be a durable sheath worthy of an expedition to qualify.
The Prize: I know Im asking a lot, so I have asked the guys at Fiddleback Forge to make a special knife for the W&SS crowd. They have graciously agreed (Huge thanks!). I believe the knife will be a Terrasaur. For those not familiar with the Terrasaur, it is a Scandinavian inspired woods knife with a 4.25 blade (+/-) and an OAL of around 9. I cant show you a picture, because it hasnt been made yet (I did add a link to the Fiddleback website describing the Terrasaur). And, yes, you guessed it, a sheath will NOT be included. After all, youll be able to make your own!
The Rules: Here is where it gets complicated .
1. You must make a new sheath. The sheath must include elements of sewing, e.g. a nylon strap sewn onto a kydex sheath. My preference would be to see everyone make a leather sheath, but I feel it is unfair to limit the materials used. I reserve the right to disqualify any submission I deem to have insufficient stitchingthis is a skills contest, not an art-sheath contest! Make an ugly sheath as long as it works and is stitched.
2. To qualify as an entry, you must make a sheath that a) is designed for wilderness and survival use, and b) I would be willing to take to Alaska during the rainy season for two weeks. If you stitch together duct tape and newspaper using Moms sewing kit, I will reject that submission. If you are concerned that your entry may not qualify, submit a design and ask if it will meet my somewhat fickle criteria. I can tell you right now that while a sheath made with a 3-D printer will impress me, it will not qualify for this contest.
3. Each participant may only enter one sheath. If I disqualify your sheath from entry because it lacks the above elements, you may submit another entry, time permitting.
All entries must include the following at a minimum: a) a photo depicting the sheath materials, the knife or tool it is designed for, and a dated handwritten sign that states Bladeforums with the date made, e.g. Bladeforums, 30 Jan 2016. (this is to ensure that people arent entering knives they made in high school shop class 8 years ago), b) a picture of the front and back of the completed sheath, and c) a picture of the completed sheath with the specified knife or tool in place and in use, e.g. a machete lashed to a pack or a multitool in a belt sheath, preferably in a wilderness setting. Please feel free to enter photos as you go through the process, I will keep track using a spreadsheet to ensure all three photos have been submitted.
4. You must have fun while doing this. We will use the honor system for this. If you are not having fun, you must disqualify yourself.
5. I will be the final arbiter of which entries qualify as acceptable entries. I reserve the right to consult with actual sheath makers for advice if I get confused. I may ask you to clarify how you made the sheath and what makes it durable. If I reject an entry, you may appeal my decision, but, again, to keep it simple, Ill make the final call.
6. All complete entries (three photos depicting the knife/tool and materials, completed sheath, and sheath in use) must be submitted by midnight 31 Jan 2016.
From the pool of qualified entries, I will randomly draw a winner using a deck of cards. If we get more than 52 entries, Ill use an on-line random number generator. Participants are not competing against other participants. Its not an art contest; its a skills contest. Please share advice, resources, and ideas. The challenge is for participants to complete a sheath; lady luck will take care of the rest.
7. To win the prize, you must be legally able to own a knife with a 4.5 blade. If you are younger than 18 years-old, you must have parental approval to receive such a knife. I will accept entries from outside the USAthis is an international forum.
Im sorry to be so pedantic about the rules, but I dont want there to be any confusion. I want everybody to have a fair shot. If I have not been clearand thats certainly possibleplease ask me to clarify in this thread.
Best of luck and have fun!
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I'll definitely be in on this, thanks:thumbup:
