What *exactly* do you look for in a sheath?

O

Omega Leather Works

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Jun 13, 2007
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In order of importance. Things considered can be anything from

Dye and thread colors

Stamping (what kind do you like?)

Price (obviously important. What, if anything, makes or breaks it for you?)

Design (pouches, stacked style with retention straps, danglers, ferro rod loops, etc)

Options (would you like a ferro rod and loop with your sheath?)

And Hardware (anything in particular that you like, or would like to see?)

Materials (do you prefer plain leather, or are you looking for something exotic and different?)

I figure I can keep making what I *think* you want, but another sheath maker suggested that I just ask. Sounds reasonable.

So even if you never plan to buy my work, what is important to you?

The more detail the better. I want to make exactly what you want and need.

Thanks guys. For the record, you all (including my fellow makers!) have been a great inspiration for me and I truly appreciate your input. :)

Anthony- OMEGA Leather
 
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For me most of what you mention depends on the style of the knife, and my intended uses of it. But one thing I do look for in every sheath I buy, is secure retention through what ever means the design of the knife calls for.
 
Hey Anthony. The first thing I look at when I receive a new sheath is the edge. I'm a stickler for perfectly burnished edges. If I can see seams, then I frown a little inside. I just love it when the edges are smooth and give the illusion that its one piece if leather!
 
Thanks for asking Anthony.

Fit and depth:
I like a sheath that has a nice snug fit and that has ample room so that the bevel of the blade doesn't rub against the inside of the sheath. That leads to dulling of the blade and is just poor design if you ask me. I also like the knife itself to fit deep into the sheath, leaving maybe an inch or so of the handle exposed. Some sheaths are really shallow, leaving 1/2 to 3/4s of the handle out of the sheath. I don't feel confident hiking through the brush or even at a fast pace with a sheath like this. Even with a snug friction fit, I'm too afraid of the blade coming out and hitting the deck.

Finish, color and stamping:
Like Velosa said earlier, I too enjoy smooth burnished edges. Rough suede feeling edges almost comes across as unfinished IMO. When I can see the layers of the stacked leather but they feel like one thick piece to my finger tip, that a nice finish.:thumbup:
When it comes to color, I prefer earth tones. Cigar browns, light auburns etc. These colors meshed together with natural looking pebble stamps or honeycomb stamps really give a sheath an organic look. Almost like the leather was harvested from an exotic animal and not from the side of a cowboy boot.

Price:
As a consumer, of coarse I don't like paying high prices for anything. However if you want quality, you have to pay for it. I'm perfectly aware that leather bending is a labour of love. Unless you have elves working around the clock for chocolate milk and candy corn, I'd imagine it would be very hard to make a living from making sheaths alone. I guess the only deal breaker would be pricing consistently going up for the same sheath. Like if purchased a sheath from Acme Leather for let's say $100, and I wanted another three months later, but that sheath is now $150, I'll probably consider other options.
 
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I can pay elves in candy corn and chocolate milk??????? Sonofa... I'm firing everyone this morning.


Duder's reply is pretty much spot on with, in my experience, most people want for Bush style knives. I have a Bushcraft and a semi Tactical line. The Bush series I try to keep sub 100 prices on them. The Tactical side, well if you need everything including the kitchen sink bolted to your sheath then it's going to cost you. Leather has shot up an incredible amount over the last two years due to various weather problems killing off cattle and China buying more and more hides and selling it back to us as Nike's. You can only absorb so much before you have to raise prices.

Inlays and overlays: The average person has no idea what exotic hides cost, You cannot buy it by the square foot and many times only certain portions are desirable. As an example, a good Ostrich hide is 600 bucks for about 11sqf of which maybe 6sqf is the quill area and is the part people want, the rest is waste, sadly. The same for Stingrays, you get maybe 2 sheaths out of one hide depending on what your building. So no, I can't build you a inlaid ostrich mountain style sheath for 65.00 and expect to stay in business very long.

Custom anything is going to cost you. For people that email with the I gotta have a sheath right now I don't care about color, style or quality as long as I can have it right this second, I tell them to pick up a sharpshooter sheath. Of course that is like comparing a Fiddleback to one of those pakistani knives at gas stations but that's instant gratification for you.
 
Difficult question to answer, it really depends on the kind of knife and how I plan on using and carrying it. I like a simple sheath for a work knife and fancy sheaths for fancy knives. Knife retention and usable carry options always come first for me, but weight & size are of some importance too, as well as a leather worker who is willing to listen to my needs and desires and who uses his or hers own experience and creativity to help me realise those needs and desires is greatly appreciated as well.

I personally don't have any use for pouches or ferro rod loops on a knife sheath. I usually use my knife way more than a firesteel or sharpener and feel they are only in the way most of the time if attached to the sheath, so I rather carry those in my pack or pocket then on the knife itself.

Price is of some importance too. I'm dutch, so I guess I'm suppose to be cheap :D
The maximum I'm willing to pay for a work-sheath would probably be around 65US$ up to about a 100$ for a fancy sheath, but it all depends on the materials used and the practicality of the sheath as well as on how much I'm able to spend at the time.

Different colour materials, stitching and fancy leathers are all nice options to have, but again, my choices will greatly depend on the kind of knife and it's intended purposes.

Not sure if this post is helpful at all, but I tried anyway. Thanks for listening :thumbup:
 
Anthony ..

Skystorm's advice is some of the best and based on a proven business model.
My personal advice; Do a style/design you like and/or one you're good at .. if you're lucky, they're both the same.
If you pursue the original advice you were given, 'go ask what everyone wants' .. then you'll be chasing your tail trying to please everyone.
 
I don't know about chasing your tail trying to please everyone, but I'm pretty sure the key to selling anything is offering what people want, like, or just plain knowing what's hot. Sometimes asking is a good way to get feedback.
 
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Simplicity and Hand Made. I like tough durable, rugged leather. in a simple fold over style. Hand dyed to a worn color. Measured to fit. Affordable, not cheap.
 
Dye and thread colors : Black

Stamping: None. I like a

Price: I quite the cheapskate. $50 is my max.

Design: Depends on the length. If it is a long blade, I prefer it an unimpeded draw, no retention. If not, then a simple handle retention, like the buck 119 sheath. Just a snap on belt loop works for my, after that.

Options: Maybe a frog. I find them convenient.

And Hardware: None

Materials: Nice, thick leather
 
Joe Duder said:
I don't know about chasing your tail trying to please everyone, but I'm pretty sure the key to selling anything is offering what people want, like, or just plain knowing what's hot. Sometimes asking is a good way to get feedback.
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You're missing my point Jose and it obviously was not directed towards you in the first place ..but I will address your comment on pricing. If the price increases 50% within a 3 month window then something obviously changed in either supply or demand and neither the public or the seller was waiting on you to make a decision. Economics 101, sir.
 
Who's Jose?

I know your comment wasn't directed at me. However it almost sounded as though you were saying that the advice he was given (just ask) was poor advice or futile. I don't see what's wrong with taking the time to get some ideas and feedback from costumers. Perhaps I took your post the wrong way.

I understand economics quite well. My point with my pricing comment is- When Acme leather sheaths keep going up in price for the same sheath and XYZ Leather's prices stay the same and are actually getting better, well you can figure out where I'm going with this.
 
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Joe Duder said:
Who's Jose?

I know your comment wasn't directed at me. However it almost sounded as though you were saying that the advice he was given (just ask) was poor advice or futile. I don't see what's wrong with taking the time to get some ideas and feedback from costumers. Perhaps I took your post the wrong way.
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Simple answer, who are trying to please? Yourself or Everyone else. If you're an artist and this is your medium, then please yourself. If you're a businessman and you want to sell the most of X .. then who should you please, the 10 consumers who want 1 each of your product or the 2 consumers who want 10 each of your product. Good luck chasing your tail. It can get real expensive.

I understand economics quite well. My point with my pricing comment is- When Acme leather sheaths keep going up in price for the same sheath and XYZ Leather's prices stay the same and are actually getting better, well you can figure out where I'm going with this.
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Still sounds like you dont understand economics. If Acme leather is not selling (no demand increase) then price increases are futile. Or .. maybe XYZ should reassess their business model.

Personally .. I view myself as an artist. I cant please everyone and I'm not set up to churn out production numbers. There's a commonality in some parts of leather work. The rest is personal or professional choices.
 
It's obvious Anthony is into his medium for more reasons than just pleasing himself. If that's where you're at in your world, I can respect that. Enjoy pleasing yourself.:thumbup:
 
Anthony, I think your questions are well asked and pertinent not only to you, but to sheath buyers and sheath makers as well. For me, I'd really like to hear more comments on what is liked/disliked, wanted/not wanted, and all the rest. The responses will help you get started a little easier and will help the established sheath guys evaluate what they may choose to offer. My initial patterns for Fiddleback knives have changed somewhat in the last three years due directly to customer comments and reading posts like this one. If there was major feed back on design aspect, I'd sure listen and probably make changes as needed. Since leather work is my only source of income, I feel it's invaluable to stay on top of what the customers want and will buy. Price structure is a tough question for any business. Has to be high enough to post a positive bottom line, yet attractive enough to garner more customers and retain old customers for repeat sales.

Have to say that I don't really consider myself an artist. I'm a craftsman and a pretty damn good one. With that in mind, my focus becomes pleasing my customers, which in turn, brings satisfaction to me.
 
. Have to say that I don't really consider myself an artist. I'm a craftsman and a pretty damn good one. With that in mind, my focus becomes pleasing my customers, which in turn, brings satisfaction to me.
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As a customer, this is very nice to read.
 
Personally, I think Tal @ Diomedes makes the cleanest and best looking sheaths I've seen. I haven't been able to get ahold of one just yet but I'm planning on it.
I prefer function first, then looks, but they are almost equal. If I am paying more than $50 for a sheath, I expect it to secure my blade, no exceptions. Beyond that and depending on the knife'a style, I like a simple, clean leather sheath. Nothing fancy over here. I like to accentuate the colors in the handle with bright stitching. I prefer double stitching. Even coloring of the leather is paramount and expected.
 
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