Whacha Been Up To......

[Jak Epp]

Some recents:

Hadn't made one of these in years. It was my part of a trade:

They cut out their own sheath as a test that they are ready to ship:

Another batch of knives and sheaths:

One of the first ever water buffalo overlay horizontal sheaths:

And the other:

Whacha been up to?

I’ve been meaning to ask; what finish do you use on most of your work to obtain that beautiful natural/orangish color?

 

[Horsewright]

I’ve been meaning to ask; what finish do you use on most of your work to obtain that beautiful natural/orangish color?

Thats the number one question I get asked on my IG page, is how do you get that color? Most of it has to do the leather I use. I use almost exclusively but not quite Wicket and Craig russet 8/10 oz skirting leather in their russet color.. This is a tannery drum dyed leather. After the project is done I will give it a light coat of warmed up pure neatsfoot oil, not neatsfoot compound, applied with a scrap of sheepskin. After the oil has set (with sheaths and holster, usually overnight), I will applyFiebings BagKote. I was turned onto this finish (although I was already using its cousin TanKote), by a friend who got it from another friend. I really like this finish as it gives leather a leather look, not plastic looking. Thats pretty much it. On larger projects say a rifle scabbard I use a paste conditioner, Oakwood as the finish. I tend to get some streaking on larger projects with BagKote so started using the Oakwood instead. G2 suggested using an airbrush with larger projects to apply a finish and I don't see any reason that that wouldn't work. I just don't have any experience with an airbrush and the Oakwood does work.

I also will use the Wicket and Craig chestnut skirting. The more I use the more I like it. It seems to have an old timey look to it. Same leather just a different color and I finish it the same way.

Russet:

Chestnut:

Very, very nice work on your sheath!

 

[Horsewright]

I haven’t posted here in a while. I spent most of my leatherwork time making wallets and the like. I’m getting back into knife sheaths and recently just tried a Finnish style sheath for a Mora Classic. I made this one without a belt loop as it will just get tossed in a pack. They are fun to make, I’m trying to figure out the best way to sew etc.

Very nice job on this sheath!!

 

[Horsewright]

A few knives and sheaths as well as a few scabbards:

A Poco:

A Cowboy Toothpick:

And a Vaquero:

The Scabbards:

Tooled and dyed intials with Carlos border stamp:

Roughout with a large border stamp:

Basket stamped. This one is for stock. Been a long time since I made one for stock and basket stamping is not a normal option either. Nichole say's it should be.

No sense stamping the whole thing cause in the center is where the fender and stirrup of the saddle will lay:

Whacha been up to?

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

I haven’t posted here in a while. I spent most of my leatherwork time making wallets and the like. I’m getting back into knife sheaths and recently just tried a Finnish style sheath for a Mora Classic. I made this one without a belt loop as it will just get tossed in a pack. They are fun to make, I’m trying to figure out the best way to sew etc.

Beautiful work!

You might consider a slightly larger opening on that lesta the next time around, should make the blade easier to sheath.

 

[ecallahan]

Beautiful work!

You might consider a slightly larger opening on that lesta the next time around, should make the blade easier to sheath.

Yes I can see that’s sage advice, I have since taken to beveling those edges on the opening.

 

[ron55]

I have 8 sheaths to make. But I started by making a new stitching pony.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

I've come to the realization that my needles are too thick, especially for thinner leathers.

I'm curious what kind of needles you fine folks use for stitching up something in .8mm thread?

 

[Jak Epp]

I've come to the realization that my needles are too thick, especially for thinner leathers.

I'm curious what kind of needles you fine folks use for stitching up something in .8mm thread?

John James Saddler’s Harness Needles.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

John James Saddler’s Harness Needles.

Thanks for weighing in Is there a specific size I should be looking for? I've been using tandy needles and while they are indeed unbreakable, they are really slowing me down... and I use pretty thick stitching prongs too.

 

[Jak Epp]

Thanks for weighing in Is there a specific size I should be looking for? I've been using tandy needles and while they are indeed unbreakable, they are really slowing me down... and I use pretty thick stitching prongs too.

I use size 18 (1/0). They can be a little tricky to thread sometimes, but they fit through stitching holes quite well.

 

[ecallahan]

I've come to the realization that my needles are too thick, especially for thinner leathers.

I'm curious what kind of needles you fine folks use for stitching up something in .8mm thread?

John James here also, size 002 for that thread.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

John James it is, I'll grab both sizes just in case Thanks fellas.

 

[Horsewright]

I have 8 sheaths to make. But I started by making a new stitching pony.

View attachment 2552440

Wow thats gorgeous!!

 

[ron55]

Wow thats gorgeous!!

Thanks!

 

[bladegrinder]

Finished a couple holsters. this one was for a neighbor, Ruger LCP with a Crimson Trace lazer.

And this one is for me, I already had a holster for it but I recently added a Sig Lima lazer to it so had to make another to fit the lazer, Sig 365X. I've been wearing this for a few days now so it shows a little wear.

 

[jfk1110]

Finished a couple holsters. this one was for a neighbor, Ruger LCP with a Crimson Trace lazer.

And this one is for me, I already had a holster for it but I recently added a Sig Lima lazer to it so had to make another to fit the lazer, Sig 365X. I've been wearing this for a few days now so it shows a little wear.

Nice.job!!!

 

[bladegrinder]

Thanks jfk!

 

[Horsewright]

Finished a couple holsters. this one was for a neighbor, Ruger LCP with a Crimson Trace lazer.

And this one is for me, I already had a holster for it but I recently added a Sig Lima lazer to it so had to make another to fit the lazer, Sig 365X. I've been wearing this for a few days now so it shows a little wear.

Very nice work. Well thought out and executed. Those lasers can sure throw off the space time continuum in holster making.

 

[bladegrinder]

Thanks Dave!