Soft/Thin Leather Sheaths?

[CanDo]

Hey everyone,

I just discovered a very large piece of leather or pseudo leather stored in the ceiling of my basement (up there for ~15 years). Are there any sheath designs which use very supple leather like this? Is it dangerous and/or stupid?

I'm mainly interested in something for a khukuri and small blade (mora size). Maybe a quickdraw style? I don't have any experience working sheaths, but am pretty handy so we'll see how it goes. I'm not looking to make an art piece, just simple and functional.

If anyone has pictures or examples of sheaths from very light material, please share!

~CanDo

 

[jackrabbitslim]

I'd suggest using it to cover a sheath made of thin wood. That way you'd get the look and feel of leather and the relative safety of a rigid sheath. A friend gave me a kukri with that style of sheath. As far as how to do it, I know one of Jim Hrisoulas's books has instructions. Can't remember which but I'm pretty sure it WASN'T The Pattern-Welded Blade.

 

[Dan Pierson]

I agree on using it to cover a stiffer sheath. A couple of years ago Chuck Burrows posted
that he normally uses hardened leather for the core of such sheaths instead of wood
(unless the wood is historically required).

If he's listening in, he could certainly explain this better than me.

 

[CanDo]

Great idea, thanks!

Perhaps I could do a wooden insert 4-7" long for the khuk, and leave the back of the sheath from there up open as a quick-draw design. I'll have to play with it, but it could definitely work.

If anyone has any more thoughts, I'm interested.