Some done, some almost done

[Brian Avila]

I have been doing sheaths for like a week.....

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Beautiful work Brian!

What are you using for liner material?

From advice I've received from others, I've gone to rounding the apex at the tip (of the bottom). I like a crisp point, but guess there are good reasons to round them, even if it's just a little.

Your stamping is excellent. Are you using a beveler for the borders?

 

[popedandy]

Those look outstanding, Brian.

 

[leatherman]

Agreed, that is good looking leather work.

Beautiful work Brian!

From advice I've received from others, I've gone to rounding the apex at the tip (of the bottom). I like a crisp point, but guess there are good reasons to round them, even if it's just a little.

Reason being is that a sharp point is more prone to damage/mashing when dropped or dragged accidentally. A slight rounding adds strength, more rounding adds more resistance against smashing. Smashed and/or banged up tips on your work looks awful and advertises you everywhere its shown.

 

[Horsewright]

Your stamping is nearly flawless. I'd rate it about a 10 out of a 10 for sure. Really like the small border around some of the studs.

 

[Brian Avila]

Your stamping is nearly flawless. I'd rate it about a 10 out of a 10 for sure. Really like the small border around some of the studs.

Thanks. I hid my mistakes well. There are some things I need to do better on the shell stamp. It's the newest stamp I own.

 

[Horsewright]

This quote gets around a bit but I first heard it attributed to Dale Harwood, the dean of western saddle makers. Dale stopped taking orders because he was 20 years behind! "The difference between a good saddle maker and a great saddle maker is the great saddle maker is better at hiding his mistakes". I agree on the sharp points even at the tops I'll nip those off a hair.

 

[Brian Avila]

Kinda funny, first time I remember hearing about the points on the sheaths.

I will think about that some more

 

[Horsewright]

I do it on any sharp point regardless of what I making. Here are some Tally Books:

A Pancake sheath has two points trimmed:

I even changed the pattern of the leg plate on my leggings because it had two points and I could never get em to lay flat even sewing them down. Now it took me about 300 pairs before I changed, sometimes I don't learn real quick. Saddle maker John Willasma told me I needed to change my pattern and I eventually did. Old style, Nichole ear tagging a cow. Notice the leg plate along her right thigh. This piece holds the leg straps that fasten around the leg. Notice that bottom point lifting.

New style, Nichole bridling a horse. No points to lift on this leg plate along her thigh.

Life doesn't like pointy leather.

 

[leatherman]

Stohlman, Dave Cole, and Gary Graley were my mentors on this. I read Stohlmans view on points and it stuck well. Anyone reading who does not know who Stohlman is google it, the man is the Godfather of saddlers. His books on saddling are simply amazing. Cost me a pretty penny but I have them all. Dave and Gary very much echoed this to me , but in simpler words and one quote I used above. Wish I could remember which one I can attribute that one to.

"Life Doesn't Like Pointy Leather" Worth a quote in my sig with your permission that is.

 

[Horsewright]

Yes of course my friend!

 

[Brian Avila]

I am not saying you guys are wrong...

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Or pointy heads for that matter.

Dave was the one responsible for helping me with the pointy leather... uh... tip. That and about 100 other things.

The stamping really is excellent.

These are a couple with the points rounded, they weren't finished in the pic.

 

[sheathmaker]

7946.6…….that's the number of ways to skin a cat.

As you guys have seen, most of my sheaths look pretty much like Brian's (with regard to the shape of the toe) All my sheaths are rounded very slightly on the toe as a result of the edging and sanding during the edge finish process. They still give the impression visually of a pointed toe even though it is "micro" rounded.

So far in over ten years of just sheath making, I haven't experienced any complaints about unusual wear and tear.

To each his own.

Paul

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I agree, some outstanding embossings there sir!!!

As to pointed sheaths, or pointed leather that goes a long ways to keeping things trim and neat.

Not just the points but also champhering the edges helps to protect and provide a more finished look to the overall project.

NOW, having said that, (sounds like a lawyer ) there are times you want to show some distinct points as it's part of the 'art' in and of itself, this one in particular I made for a friend of Tony Bose, who Tony had made the really nice desk knife. The knife and sheath would NOT be worn, it would be sitting on his desk to be looked at and used and he gave free reign as to how I wanted to make the sheath. So with probably a little more flair than usual, this was just cut out as I worked along the end of the sheath, flame like.

I had posted this up a long time ago and a fellow emailed me that " you know Gary, you should really not have such points on your sheaths like that " I explained my reasons but he never replied...

Again, the above is for desk duty, worn it would certainly not be as pointy
G2

 

[leatherman]

7946.6…….that's the number of ways to skin a cat.

As you guys have seen, most of my sheaths look pretty much like Brian's (with regard to the shape of the toe) All my sheaths are rounded very slightly on the toe as a result of the edging and sanding during the edge finish process. They still give the impression visually of a pointed toe even though it is "micro" rounded.

So far in over ten years of just sheath making, I haven't experienced any complaints about unusual wear and tear.

To each his own.

Paul

Your work is exactly what I was referencing with the slight rounding of the points!

Hopefully you got the several e-mails I sent in response a few weeks ago, I never heard back.

PS, I remember seeing your very early work at the Austin Knife Show way back (I want to think around 2004 or 05), the knife maker was very proud to show it. One I had known since around 1999. You've come a long way. (pun intended)

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I agree, some outstanding embossings there sir!!!

As to pointed sheaths, or pointed leather that goes a long ways to keeping things trim and neat.

Not just the points but also champhering the edges helps to protect and provide a more finished look to the overall project.

NOW, having said that, (sounds like a lawyer ) there are times you want to show some distinct points as it's part of the 'art' in and of itself, this one in particular I made for a friend of Tony Bose, who Tony had made the really nice desk knife. The knife and sheath would NOT be worn, it would be sitting on his desk to be looked at and used and he gave free reign as to how I wanted to make the sheath. So with probably a little more flair than usual, this was just cut out as I worked along the end of the sheath, flame like.

I had posted this up a long time ago and a fellow emailed me that " you know Gary, you should really not have such points on your sheaths like that " I explained my reasons but he never replied...

Again, the above is for desk duty, worn it would certainly not be as pointy
G2

As soon as Mr. Bose wears that the point will be an issue. Kidding.

Your stuff just makes me sick. Please never stop posting it.

 

[sheathmaker]

Hopefully you got the several e-mails I sent in response a few weeks ago, I never heard back.

Dwayne, I don't think I got the emails you mention. Might try again if it's worth your time.

For your convenience. pfl@cebridge.net

Paul

 

[leatherman]

Dwayne, I don't think I got the emails you mention. Might try again if it's worth your time.

For your convenience. pfl@cebridge.net

Paul

Will do! I'll give it another shot, the first few bounced right back to me then nothing. I've got a rather aggressive filter on my server as well. Its amazing what they catch.

 

[Horsewright]

Well I just spent a long time writing a very learned and legthy response, (2 cups of coffee worth) and was just about to click the post button and I watched it all go away, disappear, poof gone. To sum it up:

No rights or wrongs in leather work, just what works for you, in your situation, in your shop. If experience shows you a problem, don't drag your feet like I did on the leg plate on those leggings, adapt and overcome.

Hitting post, hitting post, hitting post............