This has been a LONG time coming**** (See the added edit)

sheathmaker

sheathmaker

Custom Leather Sheaths
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
4,650
It is with great reluctance, I announce my retirement from sheath making.

First, I want thank the hundreds of fine folks who supported me in this endeavor

in the knife community for the last 25 years. I made my first Blade Show in 1998,

and that kicked everything off. I was totally unknown at that time, and I'm still amazed

at how things grew exponentially from there. My hands are shaky, and my eyes are

not what they used to be, and my main concern is with all that, the quality of my work

may be declining to the point that I could disappoint. I will NOT let that happen.

I don't have an accurate count, but records show that I have something over

10,000 sheaths out there world wide

So once again my heart felt thanks to all of you who supported me all these years.

The great number of new true friends I have made is the greatest bonus of all.

THANK YOU ALL!!!

*********Edited to add: Thanks to all of you who took time to post in this thread.

I should have mentioned this earlier. Even though I have decided to retire

I will still be avaiable to help anyone any way I can with advice or explainations

of my methods. I am as close as your phone. Contact information is in the sig line below.
 
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sheathmaker said:
It is with great reluctance, I announce my retirement from sheath making.

First, I want thank the hundreds of fine folks who supported me in this endeavor

in the knife community for the last 25 years. I made my first Blade Show in 1998,

and that kicked everything off. I was totally unknown at that time, and I'm still amazed

at how things grew exponentially from there. My hands are shaky, and my eyes are

not what they used to be, and my main concern is with all that, the quality of my work

may be declining to the point that I could disappoint. I will NOT let that happen.

I don't have an accurate count, but records show that I have something over

10,000 sheaths out there world wide

So once again my heart felt thanks to all of you who supported me all these years.

The great number of new true friends I have made is the greatest bonus of all.

THANK YOU ALL!!!
Click to expand...
thank you, Paul, for all you've done for the custom and handmade knife community/industry. Yours will be a lasting legacy, my friend!
Enjoy retirement- you deserve it!
 
The shadow you’ve cast over this industry is so long, my friend, I can’t see the end of it.


Hoping for the best for you, and I know that regardless of leather being in your future or not, you’re unlikely to stop moving - just not your style. I’m deeply thankful you were always as open and sharing as you’ve been, and I’d urge EVERYONE to acquire your DVD’s on sheathmaking. My bride learned a tremendous amount from them, as I’m sure so many others have, as well.
 
Paul

congratulations!
It's not just your work - it's your integrity and work ethic that have made you a legend and an inspiration to so many!
On to your next career phase :)

Bill Flynn
 
Enjoy your well earned retirement. You inspired many.

I've admired your work from afar. Your work and reputation made you a celebrity in my Knife World.
 
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Thank you Paul for your work. You are a GIANT in this industry. Your sheathes have been the gold standard for as long as I can remember.
 
All the best in retirement sir, and thank you for all the wonderful sheaths! Really a pleasure to know you, one of the true gentlemen of the industry.
 
Even though I don't enjoy leatherwork, I'm still daft enough to do it myself and try different things. When I do, my first job is to Google 'Paul Long sheath' and click on images.

Your DVDs have also been a huge help over the years.

As others have already said, your influence is huge.

All the best for a long, happy retirement.

Ian.
 
A well-deserved breather! I count myself exceedingly fortunate to have a few of those 10,000+ works of art in my possession. You, sir, are an artist, a generous mentor to so many, and a gentleman of the highest order. Thank you for contributing so richly to some of my fondest memories of this forum and to the very best of the knife world.
Will York
 
Thank you, Paul, for the standard you set as a gentleman, an artist and a mentor. You have always been so kind to me in the sharing of techniques and in the critique of my work. They say we stand on the shoulders of giants. Well, I'm sure you can bear the weight. I wish you all the best in your retirement and future endeavors. May God grant you the time and the health to enjoy it.
 
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