What about waiting to make the sheath?

D

Dago Red

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
987
Hey guys,

I have wondered this before but thought I was in the minority, then saw a left hander post on a for sale thread that they wished makers would wait to make the sheath in case handedness is a factor for the buyer.

I have looked at knives before that I really liked, but the sheath was not on par with the blade in terms of work so I wouldn't buy that combo. I have also seen knives that I thought would be better suited to a Kydex sheath than to leather, and vice versa. Horizontal versus vertical. Or my personal pet peeve, the basket type holsters that are made so deep you're gonna barely get your thumb and index on the knife.

What do you that make and sell knives think, what about waiting to make the sheath until it's sold, have a picture of an example of what is the sheath design or options? do you think it would be better arrangement for the seller or not make that much difference in the end? (I have seen where a few of you do offer buyers choice, that is very cool)

Red
 
All of my blades at the moment get kydex treatment (still trying to find the time to learn leather!) but all of my sheaths are made to the customers specs post sale. They may want an IWB sheath, horizontal carry, carry at a specific angle, etc. Every one has different carry preferences and there is nothing worse than having an awesome blade with a sheath that wont do what you need it to.
 
I have done it both ways. I tried to make the knife and then wait on the sheath, giving the buyer different options and such, but I have found that my knives sell better when the sheath is already made and visible. I guess people just want to see what they are buying. In order for me to reach the most people, I generally make a right handed sheath. I am not sure if this is best practice, but I have noticed a difference when I can post a pic of the sheath along with the knife.
 
I have gone back and forth with myself on this topic. The majority of my knives are made to order so the sheath style and handedness is determined during the planning. I would definately have a sheath made for any knife I planned to sell on the forums. If a purchaser wanted a diffrently handed sheath I would have o problems making it for them.
 
If they want a different sheath I'm sure there's going to be a charge, is the other one just chucked or do most buyers choose to just keep both?

I have a couple of knives I'd like to have horizontal sheaths for and one I'd like to have a kydex sheath for. But then I have to get all those tools, practice. man it's a lot of work, so most of the time they get left in a drawer. :)

Red
 
Bailey Knives said:
I have done it both ways. I tried to make the knife and then wait on the sheath, giving the buyer different options and such, but I have found that my knives sell better when the sheath is already made and visible. I guess people just want to see what they are buying.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. 90% or more of buyers of finished knives not only want to see what they're getting, they want it shipped ASAP.

Now if a person said, "Hey, I want that knife but I'd prefer a left-handed or different style sheath", I sure wouldn't turn them down. Unless it's a crazy design, it wouldn't cost any more to make the new sheath, and I could very likely use the "original" sheath for another project.

It also never hurts to ask a maker if they'll do a custom job similar to what they've posted, but with different materials or options.
 
I'm lucky, my knives aren't quite fancy or expensive enough to demand leather. :-D

So I squeeze kydex and give it a tek-lok pattern, which is remarkably ambidextrous.
Agreed, I prefer to offer/show a complete knife/sheath combo. It's easier and safer to ship a sheathed knife anyway.
Leather sheaths can be done with a bolt pattern as well, if you plan a classy way to attach a loop.
Of course some of the fancier sheath setups are less flexible.

-Daizee
 
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