Sheathes and handle advice

M

mocaba

Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Messages
87
Hey again guys just wanted to thank you guys for all the guidance you've been giving me.

Okay so I was wondering what kind of sheathes and handles I should be using as a beginner.

I read in some places kydex is semi easy to use and makes a durable sheath, I like the look of leather but I imagine that is a pain to deal with. oh anyone know about wood sheaths always found them to be interesting.

As for handles since I'm just starting out should i just use wood handles made from some hardwood blanks.
 
I do know that leather is usually difficult unless you have specific tools, particularly a hole punch or really durable needles for sewing. If you're just starting out with sheaths I might recommend some garment leather, and just double wrap it. The thicker tooling leather is more firm and holds its shape better but will be insufferable to work with if you're new to it (like I am). I know there are some sticky articles on sheath making SOMEWHERE on this website...
If you want to get the same shape retention with thinner garment leather there is a way around it. Make a rather thin wood sheath and wrap+secure/glue the leather to it. As for wood, if you want to avoid leather, find 3 planks of a wood of your choice. 1 that is the same thickness as your blade or can be sanded to that thickness, and 2 other planks that are about 0.25" thick (thicker if it's a hefty sword-sized blade). Trace the blade shape out on the single/special plank and then cut that shape out. Now trace an outer wall around the hollowed space where the blade should fit snug - but not tight. Cut this shape out, and then lay it on the other 2 planks, tracing ONLY the outside, and cut each of those out. Get some appropriate glue (wood glue or loctite superglue) and compress the 3 pieces together in a vise, and it's not a bad idea to double check how well the blade fits if you're unsure. After that's dry, use a sander/grinder/planer/etc. and hand sanding to smooth out and bevel the edges of the sheath. Come to think of it, this method is a lot like making a wood handle for a full tang blade. I hope this is of benefit to you, and I apologized if this only confuses you further.
 
Drill press can take the place of a hole punch for leather. I personally find leather easier than kydex, but then, I'm pretty bad at both. For wood, use what you've got or can source cheaply. Then you can buy nice stuff from Mark at Burl Source when you've got some designs refined.
 
Leather and Kydex will take a investment in time and equipment, I suggest to see what type will best fit the type of knives you wish to make. Hunters typically use a leather sheath and tatical go with Kydex. This way your sheath making will advance with your knife making.

Handle material is much the same, wood is a good start, you may go to the local woodworking store and get something nice, you can buy bocote, zebra, paduk, snakewood in small amounts for not alot of $$ and it will dress up you blade really nice.
 
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