Very heavy leather requested.

O

Omega Leather Works

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Jun 13, 2007
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I have a customer that has asked for 12oz leather specifically. I carry 1/2oz, 4oz, 7/8oz and 8/9oz. This is for a very heavy, and very large knife. It'll be an open spine design so I understand wanting heavy leather.

Anyone stock this that can spare a couple of feet? If not, anyone know of a maker that works with heavy leather? I'd like to make his sheath but I have no problem referring him to another maker as well. I just want to see him get what he needs.

Thanks,

Anthony
 
I think, in terms of stiffness, some 4oz cemented to the 8/9 (grain-grain) would be better than 12oz...

Edit- flesh/flesh
 
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It probably would since you would have top grain strength X 2. In fact you could cement flesh to flesh and have an "auto lined" sheath. By the way, I'm sure you meant flesh to flesh instead of grain to grain above???????

Paul
 
Haha, yes, nice catch Paul. In the small tests that I've done cementing flesh to flesh the result is a very stiff and strong piece of leather. I'll run the possibility by the customer and see what he thinks.
 
Another benefit I forgot to mention is that using contact cement, the entire glue joint becomes a moisture barrier.


Paul
 
That's a very good point too. That would probably clench the deal for me as a customer.

Thanks for your help Paul. I've contacted the customer with this idea as well as a link to the information on the other makers of the board. Hopefully this gentleman can get what he needs whether I make it, or someone else. ;)
 
I agree with Paul that cementing the two together would be the best way to go. However, I do have what ya need if the client is not interested in that way.
 
You guys are awesome. I got an offer to help via pm's too. I really appreciate that you guys are willing to help. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you as well.

The customer has decided to go with the two cemented together. I think it will work quite well. :)
 
Anthony in a previous life when I was making saddles and tack etc. I made all headstall and similar equipment out of two layers of 8oz. flesh to flesh. Note: by actual side by side use and comparison wore better, lasted longer and looked better doing it than single ply 16oz. My two girls and son were the test team and they could destroy tack quicker than a tag team with chain saws.

PS I finally taught them better.

Paul
 
Good to know Paul. The only thing that I've noticed that could be considered bad is that it doesn't want to bend like a single thickness. Can a series of rows cut with the v gouge be used like on a thick bend? I haven't got the pattern drawn for this yet, but I don't think I'll use a bend anyway. Just curious, but either way I'll find out.
 
Yeah thats how I build all my spur straps, belts, martingales etc. Paul, I've got a buddy that is my "tester" he's just hard on stuff. I've got a tack room full of headstalls, many of which get used very often if not daily. Not a single ply one at all. Double ply wears better and does indeed look better.
 
Anthony, when working with heavier leathers where a severe bend up to 180 degrees is called for, wet the area of the bend and allow it to case for a few minutes, then bend slowly by hand allowing the leather time to expand and stretch a bit between compressions. This will keep the leather from cracking and you come out with a smooth bend. If you do force it and use a hammer to speed things up the cracking is almost assured.

Paul
 
I've tried severe bends three ways. One, as you describe, another sanding the inside of the bend, and gouging three lines to help it along. There isn't really one that I prefer, although I usually gouge it. The only problem I had with that was on my very first sheath where I gouged a little deeper than I meant to (that's easy to do I've found), but that sheath has been used hard, I don't baby it one bit, and it's been perfectly fine.

I haven't tried to bend heavy leather in any way so I'll certainly take your advice. I imagine that you meant that with heavy leather in mind, but I'll still need to do it with the laminated leather. I think your point about a moisture barrier would keep the method you describe from working in the same way (unless maybe you wet both sides), but I'll try a few things and see how it pans out.

Thanks Paul.
 
M. McCord said:
Can I just say, I love how freely you guys give advice when needed and asked for!!!
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more. These guys have been more amazing than they'll ever know. Even people that just duck in and ask a question and vanish are helpful. Sometimes you don't even know you have a question until someone else asks it. ;)
 
Anthony, since everything I make is fully lined, then any reference I make to heavy leather would be laminated leathers. I consider anything totaling 10 oz and up to be heavy where bends are concerned. Generally casing the exterior or the outside curve bend is sufficient, but casing the interior as well won't hurt a bit.

The ten sheaths in the photo are all relatively heavy duty at about 10/12 oz total and they were all bent using the exterior casing method.

Paul
 
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