Where to start? Primative Belt Over Leather Sheath

Q

Quirt

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Oct 10, 2005
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I'm a totally newbie. I'd like to be able to make some "belt over" primative leather sheaths for several primative knifes I use. I'd eventunally like to have one sheath secured by brass brads (I guess that is what it is).

Can someone get me started in the right direction?
 
Are you talking about something like this?

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Andy
 
Ah yup however that is substantially nicer than I had in mind but that is what I'm looking at making.
 
OK. The belt loop on that sheath is a separate piece, sewn into the welt, but it is easier to cut the sheath so that the body of the sheath and the loop are all one piece.

Have you ever made a sheath before?

Andy
 
Thanks Andy - Nope...complete greenhorn - novice. Don't even know where to start. Am open book willing to learn. BTW your sheath is amazing. Nice.
 
Thanks for the compliment. I'm a real newby compared to many of the folks here on this forum!

Basically you need some tools then, before you can even start a sheath. And of course some leather.

There are a couple newish threads here in this forum by folks asking about tools to get started. If you page down the list a bit, you will likely find them, and that will get you started accumulating tools.

Once you have the tools, you'll need a bit of leather. I get my stuff from Tandy, some folks get theirs elsewhere, but a web search will find you lots of sources.

Once you have the tools and the leather, you can begin, but most sheaths have these basic componants:

1. Body - this is the main part of the sheath which encloses the knife
2. Welt - most sheaths have a welt, which is another layer of leather which runs along the edge of the sheath, more or less wherever there is stitching. This is to help protect the stitching from the edge of the knife.
3. Attachments - by this I mean, whatever the sheathmaker is using to attach the sheath to something else, be it a dangler, a belt loop, whatever.
4. Something to hold the sheath and attachments together - this would include thread, rivets, grommets, glue, etc. These things hold the parts of the sheath together to make a whole.

Before you begin, you should make a fairly detailed plan for how the sheath will look. You will of course need the specific knife, but basic design plans like; how big, how thick the leather will be, what kind of shape you want, attachment style, etc.

Once you decide what the sheath will consist of, you can start to get specific with your plans. I find it helpful to sit down with pencil and paper and actually draw what is in my head. It doesn't matter if you are artistic; I'm not. It just helps to solidify your thoughts.

There are lots of tutorials on line and here on the forums. Take some time to look around and get an idea of how folks do things. Everybody has their own techniques, but the main thing is doing things in an orderly fashion so you don't get ahead of yourself.

Andy
 
I second the idea of planning ahead. Last week I almost glued the two sides of a pouch sheath together before the belt loop was sewn down. Now that would have been a mess - contact adhesive is sturdy stuff.
 
Awesome thanks guys. I need to upgrade my membership so I can enjoy the search...been mull'n around and finding some help doing it the old fashion way without search.

I've got a style (very plain jane) in mind. Have used some paper to cut out a basic fold over pattern with the opening in the main body. I'd like to sew my first one and then get a bit braver and rivet another one.

I'll check out the links for leather and tools and then get back with more specific questions (like what type/thickness leather do I get), etc.
 
Okay guys...what do I need as a minimum to get started?

I've looked at a couple leather supply websites and there is a ton of gear one could buy...but what are the essential basics I've 'gotta' have?

Also what leather should I use to start with? Geez tons of choices there also!
 
Here is what I recommend -

1. Leather - It comes in various weights, usually denoted in ounces. You want vegetable tanned leather. It won't contribute to blade corrosion. A piece 2-3 square feet will give you more than enough leather, but order more if you want some room to screw up.

2. Glue - I use contact cement from Home Depot.

3. Needles - I use blunted needles with big eyes.

4. Thread - I've been using quite a bit of natural color braided sinew, waxed, lately. Very strong and it looks good on any color of sheath. There are also lots of different types of thread in various colors. Any quality natural thread, waxed, will do the job, but it has to be for leatherworking, not sewing thread.

5. Awl or stitch hole punch - These can be ordered from Tandy or any decent leathergoods supplier. They are used to punch holes in the leather for the stitching.

6. Hammer or mallet - Just about any kind of wooden or leather mallet will work so long as it isn't too heavy. Can be had from Tandy or other outlet.

7. Cutting surface - I use a large wooden cutting board.

8. Dyes - If you want to dye the leather.

9. Sharp, thin bladed knife for cutting the leather. A pair of heavy scissors works well also.

Andy
 
IMO the heavy scissors are for the gross (very rough) cuts as when you are cutting a square foot off a 5 square foot shoulder hide. I use a single edge razor or an x-acto knife and a straight edge for the trims. I find cutting heavy leather straight with a scissor requires more practice than the razor and clamped down ruler require.
 
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