Sheath... Need "Curb Appeal" help

Last_Ditch

Last_Ditch

Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Messages
44
I have been making a few sheaths for friends and family as the need arises. Admittedly, I am not a well practiced sheath builder, but I would like to start building them a bit more seriously. This is an example of what I have been putting together. There are a lot of GREAT sheaths posted here that make me feel like mine are more of an elementary school science project, rather than a sheath that I would give as a gift.

To the more experienced builders, can you please forward ANY suggestions that might elevate my abilities, or make the sheaths a little more "show" quality? Mine are very durable and bullet proof, but not quite as show quality. I want to add that "curb appeal" to them, but I don't have that artistic gene just yet. I'm not looking to add exotic skins or fancy shiny things, just more refined and crisp. Maybe a few technique tips, or those coveted leather secrets I don't know anything about.

Like I said ANY suggestions would be a life saver. Thank you in advance.





 
Very clean looking work and very good job on the double stitch line. That's something I haven't tried yet myself.
I'm not saying how you've done it is wrong by any means but here are a few things you might try. Cut a slit in the tip of the sheath for the welt to pass through. I've found that drilling a hole at the end of the slit helps keep it from tearing further than you want it. Try making the belt loop a separate piece. This would create an extra step in assembly but would allow you to keep everything that shows in the grain side of the leather. As I mentioned previously, you did a really nice job on the double stitch. You might try just leaving the inner stitch line as an accent groove. I think you might be surprised how much that might change the look. You can also pick up a couple basic border stamps and toy around with that if you like.
I'm still towards the beginning of the learning curve myself, so I am sure a couple of the other guys will chime in as well.
Nice work and good luck,
Chris
 
really beautiful, clean looking work. Almost a blank canvas for getting creative with carving, tooling antiqueing etc.
Personally ive always struggled with restraint in terms of the creative stuff, im striving to find a happy balance myself, you got a good grasp of the mechanics now get creative :D (i know easier said than done) Even if your not inclined to come up with original art on pieces Tandy sells alot of pattern books with detailed instructions
as was said before maybe just the addition of simple border etc. like i said its easier to go bonkers with it :D
Great Looking work Good Luck
Gene
 
Based on your photos, you seem to have reached a point where your plain sheaths are well made and attractive. Be sure your edge finish matches that over all effort. Concentrate on making the most perfect plain sheath ever! Then when you have reached that point try a simple cut and beveled border with some simple border tooling. After that go for some geometric like basket weave etc. with the border. Finally after your experience level hits the point, go for some exotic inlays along with tooling.

Take another look at Harroneks sig line concerning perfection. It's not when you can no longer add anything….it's when you can no longer take anything away.

Paul
 
I did the burnishing with a dab of water and a custom cut dowel I put on my mini lathe. (I don't have gum yet to use, it's on order) Then cover with a coat of Eco-Flo edge dressing I picked up from Tandy.

 
I think they look good. I agree with chris on a separate belt loop to hide the grain side from showing. Pick up some of Pauls videos they are really helpful, I watch them over and over.

JB
 
Nice looking sheaths!
I'd say that you could try other types of sheaths than the pouch style, different arrangements of layers might give you better feel for leather.
Personally I'd sand the edge (and dye to match color with the rest) before burnishing for a nice, smooth edge.
 
I'm a fan of the integrated belt loop. Never much cared for a separate loop, but we all like different things.

I agree that you might try a different type. Maybe try a butterfly style. Still a pouch, but adds a bit of flair, and works well when you have a knife that doesn't have a straight spine.

For knives with guards you're going to want to do a "stacked" (or whatever you want to call it) style where the welt goes all the way around. Perfect time to learn how to do a retention strap, stud or snap and lining. Definitely more work, but you'll learn a lot.

Pauls Advanced sheaths video is a great asset in figuring out how you want to go about it.

Good luck!

Edit- it would also be easy to try a dangler on your existing pouch design. Either add a dee ring to the loop, or buy fully removable hardware for the strap.
 
Thanks to all of you guys. Brought up some very good info I can work on. I will try to make something with a little more wow factor in the next day or two and post a pic or two of the next generation.

I know there are probably as many leather sources as grains of salt in the ocean, but I have been getting discounted scraps of leather from Tandy to play with. I would assume the higher quality (more expensive) leather is easier to work with? I've been hesitant to spend a lot on leather until I learn a little more. I would guess that would make a difference as well.
 
I'm no fixed blade sheath maker , but if I was going to make a sheath like your one in the photos , I'd glue two pieces of 4/5 oz together so as to double side it .
that way you have no rough showing on any of the sheath and the inside has an automatic lining .
Just a thought , but I learned that from Paul Long here on the forum and double siding your leather is a just a further refinement to your work .
On my folder sheaths they are either all smooth out or all rough out never a mixture .
Simple is extremely hard to do well , but when done properly it is my favorite type of leatherwork .
Not a criticism but I've never understood double line stitching , it adds size to the sheath that isn't necessary .
Also welcome to the Forum , it looks like you will fit right in here :thumbup:

Ken
 
Thank you again. Double siding... excellent. Would have taken me a while to figure that one out on my own. You guys are awesome. I have decided to get out of my comfort zone, and work on something with a little more to it.

I meant to take pics along the way, but I got a little excited and forgot to stop to take pics until now. I will continue the project throughout the next few days as time becomes available. Here is what I have so far. Please feel free to stop me along the way to make improvements.

This is my first non-taco style sheath, so taking me a bit longer to learn as I go. Hope to have updated pics soon.



 
Getting there. Still need to final trim around the edges, put on the back piece, and add a few stitches...

 
Pretty cool! I am guessing the back of the stud is behind the shield, and not inside the sheath?

Good leather makes an enormous difference, that is, if you are starting with so-so stuff. Dyeing, stamping, molding, it's all better with good leather. I'd say you deserve to treat yourself.
 
Finished this afternoon. Was a fun project. Learned a lot of what not to do on this one. Didn't turn out too bad, but a few things I would have done differently. The experience was good, and with any luck, will only get better from here.



 
What is the black line on the loop in the second pic? Almost looks like sharpie or a line drawn over the pic digitally?

I'd consider dyeing the back of the strap. If you have access to a belt grinder you can usually smooth the flesh side of leather really nicely. A really good piece will sometimes come buffed so it's not hairy to begin with, but it's a simple fix if you have a belt sander. After dyeing you can also use something like gum tragacanth and something hard (wood and glass are common) to get a smooth finish. If it's really smooth to begin with you can get it looking nearly as nice as the skin side. If it's really nappy, the nap will probably lift at a bend though.

You did a really nice job on that. :thumbup:
 
I'm not sure what that black line is. It must be a shadow. It's not on the actual sheath. There is a little discoloration at the point where the handle is near the mouth due to being a tight fit. Perhaps I tried to insert the knife before the dye fully dried or just unintentional burnishing from the knife going in and out. I did dye the underside of the strap and ran my slicker tool over it to smooth out the fibers. Came out nice, but like mentioned it did crack the slick finish a little after a few snappings of the strap. I do have a belt sander, but did not think of hitting the strap before installing it.

Overall I am satisfied with the end result, but not ecstatic with the final finish. For my first attempt, I am not going to complain. The order of assembly, I'm learning was the tricky part, that I learned most about. I'm going to ATTEMPT an inlay for my next one, or maybe a basket weave stamp. It might be a bit before the leather and tools arrive. I'll post some pics of the finished product. Who knew leather working would be so addictive!

I wanted to say thank you again for the advice and tips. However much you guys already know, it's nice to know that it's not taken for granted and you can share with us little guys.
 
Both of the sheaths are quite well-done. Most of my knowledge is from a lifetime of sewing frilly dresses, but there's a decent amount of relevant cross-over to leatherwork. Here are a few things to consider, and a few videos that I found helpful. :)

Clean stitching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGuiha5S2oE

Quality materials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6p_5b9t35w

Color:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGZE9WogzlY

Regarding color - I have no problem with browns, but there's such a wide range... some of them poop-colored, some of them beautiful... it's a difficult color to get right. If you're looking for curb-appeal, there must be a reason Lamborghini doesn't make a brown car. ;-)
 
thanks for the links, i will certainly check them out.
as for the colour... well... you can get brown lambos, audis and porsches... at least in europe brown cars were all the rage before white became "in" last year or the year before ;)
but anyways, i'd recommend checking out omega's website and sheaths for some interesting colours and example for block dyeing technique.

i really like that last sheath, but if you want an opinion, i would recommend cleaner work on the tooling and stitching.
 
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