Sheath top stitch style question

C

CDH

Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
283
So I'm knocking out some quick and tough sheaths, and while I'm at it I made a little pouch for a pistol magazine. To keep the top leather together, I carried the top stitch into a wrap over the top and around to the back twice...and I kinda like the look! That got me to thinking that it might work to keep the top of the welt and such tied down on the knife sheaths...

...so before I punch/drill another hole and potentially ruin a nearly finished sheath, I thought I'd bounce it off y'all. It doesn't hurt that I slipped and have a light gouge that this extra lop would conceal nicely either.:(

Is it a stupid idea to carry the top stitch over the top of the welt to tie it down or will it look totally stupid? I just can't picture it...

P7170001.jpg

P7170001-1.jpg
 
I have done it in earlier sheaths I've made, and they've had no problems with use (some keepers I made as I was learning early on). However, the downfall is that it exposes the thread to potential damage/cutting; whereas, normally the vast majority of the thread is protected in the stitch groove.

--nathan
 
I won't say it's stupid, but it is impractical and the eye is imediately drawn to it in a bad way. Just my opinion.
 
it exposes the thread to potential damage/cutting; whereas, normally the vast majority of the thread is protected in the stitch groove
Click to expand...
Exactly why the pros don't do it plus it looks "amateurish".........

Chuck Burrows.....
 
...then I'll continue to do it...on some style sheaths....to maintain my amateur standing.....

Besides....Al Stohlman taught me to do it that wayz.....
 
...then I'll continue to do it...on some style sheaths....to maintain my amateur standing.....
Besides....Al Stohlman taught me to do it that wayz..... .....
Click to expand...

Be my quest, but repair a few hundred sheaths sewn like that as I have and you'll learn why it's best not done........dealing with upset customers is a hassle and turns away business.......
Yes all leathercrafter's have a great deal to thank Al Sohlman for, but he wasn't god and in this case he was wrong.......besides styles change and today's aesthetics are not the same and I try my best to keep up with the current market within reason.........
 
Wild Rose said:
Be my quest, but repair a few hundred sheaths sewn like that as I have and you'll learn why it's best not done........dealing with upset customers is a hassle and turns away business.......
Yes all leathercrafter's have a great deal to thank Al Sohlman for, but he wasn't god and in this case he was wrong.......besides styles change and today's aesthetics are not the same and I try my best to keep up with the current market within reason.........
Click to expand...

You've repaired "a few hundred sheaths sewn like that" !!??
Wow.....I haven't even done one....but then, I'm just a kid....:eek:
 
Hey RayBan
If you haven't even done one yet, how did Stohlman teach teach you? Word of thought, pay attention when guys like Chuck offer their thinking. Men like him do this for a living and offer free advise to us so we can learn a better way.
Rick
 
Rick, I could be wrong, but I think you're confusing RG with the original poster. :) I almost did myself.

Like I said, I have done that type of sheath in the past, but I like the clean look (IMO) and the thread protection of not looping over the top stitch.

--nathan
 
Rick Lowe said:
Hey RayBan
If you haven't even done one yet, how did Stohlman teach teach you? Word of thought, pay attention when guys like Chuck offer their thinking. Men like him do this for a living and offer free advise to us so we can learn a better way.
Rick
Click to expand...

I've done lots like them....I just haven't had to repair one yet....(read)
 
These 2 sheaths get me up to all of a half dozen...:rolleyes:

I hadn't thought about how easy it would be to cut it while inserting the knife...dang good point. I was focused on my previous units all having the welt and top layer coming loose and showing the gap after a little use. That wouldn't be a problem on my mag pouch though, so I'll leave it alone.:D

That's why I come here...good advice (generally) :thumbup:with remarkably few pissing matches (hint hint):thumbdn:
 
Wild Rose said:
Be my quest, but repair a few hundred sheaths sewn like that as I have and you'll learn why it's best not done........dealing with upset customers is a hassle and turns away business.......
Yes all leathercrafter's have a great deal to thank Al Sohlman for, but he wasn't god and in this case he was wrong.......besides styles change and today's aesthetics are not the same and I try my best to keep up with the current market within reason.........
Click to expand...

Dead on, this trade is open for artistic expression but the idea is to make a product that will stand the test of time. Some things are just impractical. I have found that the average customer wants a custom knife and sheath because they understand quality and they want the best they can afford. There are standard ways of doing things because they have been tested and they work. The market knows this and recognizes what works and what does'nt.
 
rayban said:
I've done lots like them....I just haven't had to repair one yet....(read)
Click to expand...

Yes a few hundred repairs (few of those repairs were my own because I quit doing that stitch a long time ago) since I started this doing leather crafting back in 1961 - I spent a good part of my learning experience working with several old timers and much of my work in the beginning was doing repair work. Later in the first of my own shops repair work of everything from knife sheaths to harness to saddles was a large percentage of my day to day work - IMO doing repair work is one of the best ways to learn what works best and what doesn't. It's not just a matter of cutting the thread, but the thread may/will also wear faster due to it being exposed, so IMO why do it?

And I'm just a "kid" compared to men like Paul Long and Sandy Morrison who have been at this business since 1951 and 1947. I don't know how many sheaths Paul has made but at last count Sandy was close to 13,000 sheaths made (yes you read that right) - my approximately 3,500 sheaths is a paltry number in comparison......

and FWIW - I never consider this a "competition" or trying to one upsmanship others my ego is well in hand - what I do is offer the best advice I can give based on my training and experience.......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top