Wooden sheath, Syberian style.

[nozh2002]

I got new article from Vassili (not me) from Russia.

This is common sheath for Ural/Syberia hunters. They more reliable then leather one and quite convinient. It also safer - if you fail from the rock or tree they less likely to let knife to cut you through sheath.

Especially I like the way they attach sheath to the belt. Very convinient

If your read Russian this is full article:
http://playground.sun.com/~vasya/wooden-sheath.html

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Proper made leather sheaths won't allow the knife to cut you. Those cases are nice though I don't think they would sell well with the tactical crowd.

-Cliff

 

[nozh2002]

It is much easy to make youself, using same knife as a tool. And for tactical use solid sheath probably much better then soft. As I understand generations before sheathes were solid - for knives, kinzhals, swords, sabers etc. It is easy to check in historical books museums etc. Scandinavian sheath was made from wood with leather around just for nice look and attaching them to the belt.

Modern leather sheat and nilon sheath I think made this way because it is easy in mass production. KaBar has leather sheath, but are any military knives before which had leather sheath? Russian WWII knife NR had wooden sheath and following AK bayonet also.

Really, I remember one former military guy in Russian forum refered to situation when his helicopter have an "emergemcy landing" - it droped from about 10m height with all "tactical crowd" (his DSHB unit) inside. In this situation he prefer to have solid steel sheath to prevent knife he carry cutting him or his friends at impact moment.

Also wooden sheath has less contact with blade surface and less absorbs and keep water then leather.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

And for tactical use solid sheath probably much better then soft.

A couple of concerns would be :

1) noise, rattle in the sheath plus contacts against it

2) rot

3) bulk / size

4) blade security

...he prefer to have solid steel sheath to prevent knife he carry cutting him or his friends at impact moment.

I would wonder how many high quality leather sheaths such individuals have used.

Also wooden sheath has less contact with blade surface and less absorbs and keep water then leather.

Leather will absorb water unless laminated and/or treated.

-Cliff

 

[nozh2002]

Well, quality is the key.

Noise/security:
Quality wooden sheath will not make noise because knife sit in there sequre. The part of sheath wich contact with handle is a key - you may see in the last picture that it more then half of the handle is in the sheath (Scandinavian style) and this make it very secure without any special locks or something.

Rot:
It is not an issue - same as for wooden handle. Soak in boiled linen seed oil or boil in wax or some modern wood treatment will take care of this, at least not less then for leather.

Personally, for me it is easy to whittle sequre sheath like this from two pieces of wood then sew it from thick leather. I am just wood person.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

In regards to holding of the blade, one of the strengths of leather and more so kydex, is that you can shape form it to the blade and the elastic nature of the material forms a lock. Can you get this with woods?

Yeah, same for me, wood is much more familiar with leather to work with. By the way there are lots of translators on line if anyone wants to read the article in english. The site has lots of interesting commentary which you can run through various html translators.

This is pretty funny by the way, I am defending kydex sheaths.

-Cliff

 

[nozh2002]

I have replay from Vassili.

This is my translation:

1. Sheath made by knife, not by file(rasp?). This way microscopic pores are closed by pressure apllayed with blade when it cut it. Same you may achive by burning surface.

2. One sheat from the picture is 18 years old (it looks bit more dirty), another 14-15. He uses first of it a lot on hunting trips etc - not single rot spot.

3. Wood is important, he uses birch - he step on it (he is 90kg) without any damage. Droped it from 2m heigt on concrete flour, fall from the horse... No problems.

4. Kidex was not available it Russia in 70th-80th. Knives were banned in general, hunters were allowed to have one, but there was no knife industry doing quality knives and sheath. And outdoor life really depends on knife. Sheath even more important than knife, so wooden sheath is ideal for somebody who need quality and must do it himself. And you can do it for free even in the field.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[cmd]

Very very nice, Vassili. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

And you can do it for free even in the field.

There is that. It would be pretty hard to whip up some Kydex off hand, and even getting good quality thick leather isn't trivial, but finding a large enough piece of wood isn't a problem. Carving the sheath with the knife is a decent piece of craftsmanship though, especially with a knife of any size. Note the Valient Goloks come with wooden scabbards.

-Cliff