Sheathing options?

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pormogo

Joined
Jul 19, 2006
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So as my Khukri addiction and collection continues to grow I've been thinking more about how to best clothe my frequent workers. I actually like the included sheathes more then I thought I would. Unfortunately they're heavy, sort of slow to draw, and don't really have a huge amount of carry and attachment options. So I was wondering what other kind of sheathes and carry methods you guys use.

I've seen a few different kydex sheathes. Probably most notably Qeth's. I think these look the most functional. Kydex seems light and incredibly durable. Not to mention that unlike leather and wood it doesn't retain water or moisture which seems to be a plus for overall blade health. Since I've seen people incorporating rotatable tek locks onto the kydex sheathes they seem to offer up the most attachment options. However they don't exactly "stylistically" match with the khuks. That's sort of a vain thought but there is something really cool about "traditional" organic materials.

What's the deal on leather sheathes? Are there any of those leather sheathes from the Kami Medical Fund fundraiser? I have seen some pretty nice leather quick release sheathes here. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction for someone who does leather sheathes.

Just trying to sort of flesh out my options before I decide what I want to invest in. Thanks for all the help!
 
The KEMF "Steve Special" sheaths would work well. I, and several other members, have made a few leather sheaths for ourselves and it's a really fun/fulfilling thing to do. It requires very little skill (at least in my case!) and you can make exactly what you need. The below photo shows the two I made. The left one fits my CAK and WWIIs equally well and the right is solely for my M-43. The initial expenditure is pretty low and usually gives you plenty of supplies to make a lot of small stuff also. I started working with leather on an on again/off again basis almost twenty years ago. My skill level is very low and basic, but I've been able to create things to fill my needs, such as holsters and sheaths. I've also saved many coworkers some hard earned dollars by adding a couple of stitches or a snap to good, but sidelined, leathergoods. It's worth getting into, especially if you like khuks. Leather can also be weather proofed pretty well with bees wax or saddle butter. Leather will last a lifetime with very little care and it's got it's own spirit, much like our loved HI khuks. Kydex and plastic sheaths are great and I use them, but leather does something for the soul. Oldschool45 has a nice tutorial somewhere in the archives which could help you. Take care.

M-43SheathandbigHIkhuks022.jpg


Mine are designed, and I use that term loosely, to work equally well with traditional belt carry or baldric carry, as seen below in two different styles.

M-43SheathandbigHIkhuks017-1.jpg
 
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pormogo said:
What's the deal on leather sheathes? Are there any of those leather sheathes from the Kami Medical Fund fundraiser?
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Yangdu got a big supply of the medical fundraiser sheaths, so there should still be some available for $20 (100% goes to help the kamis). A good "beater" sheath for a good cause. See the relevant "sticky" at the top of the list of threads for size information, etc. Here's a direct link:
Sheath Fundraiser

These leather fundraiser sheaths are actually lined with a very thin, hard plastic sheet that is sewn to the leather to protect it from the edge while inserting the knife, I imagine, and it should keep moisture from the leather off the steel.

Similar-looking sheaths may be found elsewhere, but be aware that these fundraiser sheaths have already been modified to fit the thick blades of HI khuks (the standard snaps were otherwise too tight).
 
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jdk1 said:
Oldschool45 has a nice tutorial somewhere in the archives which could help you. Take care.
Click to expand...

Where might I be able to find this tutorial? I'd be willing to give it a try provided someone could point me to a tutorial showing me what to do, and where I could get supplies for something like this.

Those leather sheathes that you have there look pretty amazing! I especially like the baldric carry option! What kinda sling are you employing there?
 
pormogo said:
Where might I be able to find this tutorial? I'd be willing to give it a try provided someone could point me to a tutorial showing me what to do, and where I could get supplies for something like this.

Those leather sheathes that you have there look pretty amazing! I especially like the baldric carry option! What kinda sling are you employing there?
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Thanks Pormogo, quite a few of us have made our own and it's fun. Do a forum search for threads started by Oldschool45, and it should turn up. Pugs75 had some recent threads on sheaths he made which were very nice also. Tandy Leather can supply you with everything you need. If I had more time, I'd explain some of the basics, but I'm rushed at the moment. Try a search and if you can't find it, I'll try when I have time. Good luck and take care.
 
oi, unfortunately I think anything like that is going to be kind of out of reach for me. I live in an extremely small urban space and I just don't have the room to house or the means to acquire a lot of the tools that appear to be required for something like this. Is there a forum member or company that people have gone to for baldric/belt style leather sheathes like that. The idea of doing something myself is appealing however I don't think it's something that I'm going to be able to manage.
 
pormogo said:
oi, unfortunately I think anything like that is going to be kind of out of reach for me. I live in an extremely small urban space and I just don't have the room to house or the means to acquire a lot of the tools that appear to be required for something like this. Is there a forum member or company that people have gone to for baldric/belt style leather sheathes like that. The idea of doing something myself is appealing however I don't think it's something that I'm going to be able to manage.
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All it REALLY takes is thread (articial sinew/nylon/etc.), two good sized needles, leather cement, a leather awl, a utility/razor knife, plyers, an old cutting board, and of course, leather. Small clamps help too. The drill makes it easier to make holes in thick leather, but an awl and an old ice pick work fine. The gear is pretty cheap. The two things which are harder to muster are the time to work on it and the will to just kind of jump into the unknown feet first. You learn pretty quick what works and mistakes are made aplenty. The good thing is, usually the mistakes only cost time and you can reuse the materials. I highly recommend giving it a try. You can even start by making a karda sheath. You'll probably surprise yourself with what you can do. In the end, you'll end up very happy you tried. Give it a shot.;)
 
pormogo, I used to make leather goods in a 2 room dorm room. If you find a Tandy leather store most have classes and or will let you do some of the work there. Then you get the people who work there (and usually know their stuff) "helping" you out. A small section of table top or floor, a few spring clamps(substitute old phonebooks for clamps), a few needles and lets face it you're posting on bladeforums so you have a pocket knife or a karda or the Khukuri itself to do the cutting with. You could always look up Paul Long on here.
 
Pormogo,

First off welcome to HI, I attached a few posts with some sheaths I made for my Khuks. I am a fan of both leather and kydex. I jumped in to the leather because I wanted to do it myself with little to no tools. I actually make them in my computer room with very very basic tools. Mine can be carried on a belt pack or baldric style. Hope you like them, any questions feel free to hit me up.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-for-my-Survival-Knife-and-Parang-(Pic-Heavy)
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/824854-New-Pants-for-my-Tamang
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/829765-New-Sheath-for-my-AK
 
Nice Sheaths and pix, thank you for sharing
 
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