Sheaths making

M

mpj13

Joined
Oct 5, 2001
Messages
108
I am almost done with my first knife. I'm taking a long time but I want to make sure I do it right. I have a question about sheath's though. What do you guys find is the best for making sheaths leather or kydex (like they sell at Texas knives) I know a lot of it has to do with the style of knife, but in general what is the best? It seems like kydex would be easier to just shape and secure the seam, leather must be treated in (oil?) but you don't have to heat it up to shape.

Is it cheaper to just buy a sheath? I think it would be more fun to make them your selfe though. Thanks a lot.
 
well mpj,i am anew guy to making knives.have never made a kylex sheath,but leather is a good place to start.dont need much in the way of tools,for leather,trycalling 1-800-547-1299,they make some of the best leather in the world,tell them royboy sent you.will do u right...royboy
 
Hi mpj...

Thats like asking what is better Apples or Oranges...:)

Two different material for different uses..

It really depends on the knife...

If the knife looks like it belongs in a synthetic,,then thats what you go with..

Leather has it's place just like synthetics,, both have positives and negatives..Theres certain things that synthetics will do,,that Leather has a hard time with or is impossible to do..
Then on the other hand synthetics don't give you that warm fuzzy feeling...

Synthetics are fun to play with..I say,,go ahead and make a sheath..If it doesn't work,,or turn out to your satisfaction,,give it to a sheathier in synthetics...

I do this stuff all day long,,and know the tricks to give you that professional look..
If you want to give me a shot of it,,drop me a note and we can talk about it...

ttyle

Eric...
 
I've made two leather sheaths so far. Pretty new at all this knife making stuff. It seems to me that leather would be easier to work than kydex. You can easily cut even the thick 11 oz. leather with a exacto type knives, or even a wood carving knife. You don't need heat to form leather. If you want to mold it to shape so it snugly holds a knife inside, just hold your leather for a couple seconds under hot water from the tap, and mold it to shape.
 
i have made several sheaths i use 8-9oz leather from weaver leather makes a excelent sheath i like the vegatable tanned stuff.
 
Thanks for the info. I think the kydex is cool but leather is so traditional it is very useful too. It just depends on what you trying to do with the knife. I think I'll try both. Any quick links on were tutorials on sheath making are? Thanks.
 
For a great cutting tool for leather, go to the sewing dept of your local wallyworld and get a rotary cutter and cutting mat, they work great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top