What is the proper leather for sheaths? >>

[paneraica]

I have a lot of leather and even though most is 2 mm or a touch more thick. Not really stiff enough for a sheath (use it for watch straps).

Thought some brown sharkskin would be good for the outside face to match a handle of a small boot knife, but too soft, so most likely useful for adornment sections or splitting to a thin piece and then glued to a stiffer backing.

The original sheath has a front face 1.5 mm thick, but stiff. Little play. Would the material be stretched out for added tightness before the center frame is glued on?

Thanks

DON

 

[IvarDay]

The best leather for sheath making is a vegetable tan leather, it can be a cow or horse hide. Horse hides best parts for survival and outdoor knife sheathes - bud and shoulders. There leather is thick and pretty stiff and even pointy kiridashi knife will not cut it throe. Cow hides are softer and pointy tip can cut it throe, thats why specer in a sheath should be hard. For spacers I use pressed cowhide leather or just a horse sholder leather, than its hard and don't get cuts so easy!

 

[paneraica]

Thanks

DON