Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
I know nothing about making sheaths.
What type of leather?
Where to buy?
Fixed blade sheath with no snaps.
Thanks
What type of leather?
Where to buy?
Fixed blade sheath with no snaps.
Thanks
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Try Tandy Leather. I did a lot of leather work years back and got most of my tools, dyes, supplies, and leather from Tandy. They still have knife sheath kits among other kits for new learners.
- OLDE CUTLER
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:11 pm
- Location: South Dakota
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Hobby Lobby also has a lot of leather work items and leather if you have a store in your area.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
I stopped in yesterday as a matter of fact and they had one small isle with leather making items, not nearly what I thought they'd have.OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:18 pm Hobby Lobby also has a lot of leather work items and leather if you have a store in your area.
They had rows and rows and rows of wall decor.....not exactly "crafty" stuff IMO.
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
I made a couple of their sheaths--one for my Leatherman, and two fixed blade sheaths. The leather and hardware quality isn't exactly the best.TripleF wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:48 pmI stopped in yesterday as a matter of fact and they had one small isle with leather making items, not nearly what I thought they'd have.OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:18 pm Hobby Lobby also has a lot of leather work items and leather if you have a store in your area.
They had rows and rows and rows of wall decor.....not exactly "crafty" stuff IMO.
The Tandy kits are considerably better. A buddy of mine (a Scoutmaster) gave me a BSA kit, and I use it for my large folders.
-
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:53 pm
- Location: Colorado
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
I deal mostly with Springfield Leather Company and Weaver Leather Supply on-line, both companies supply good leather and tools at reasonable prices and are a good source of advice and instruction. I have never been pleased with Tandy's products.
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Thank you. I'll look into them!marinaio61 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:59 pm I deal mostly with Springfield Leather Company and Weaver Leather Supply on-line, both companies supply good leather and tools at reasonable prices and are a good source of advice and instruction. I have never been pleased with Tandy's products.
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Just went to Apringfleild and saw nothing for knives....don't know finishes or weights.....marinaio61 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:59 pm I deal mostly with Springfield Leather Company and Weaver Leather Supply on-line, both companies supply good leather and tools at reasonable prices and are a good source of advice and instruction. I have never been pleased with Tandy's products.
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
-
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:53 pm
- Location: Colorado
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Typical leather weight for knife sheathes would be 7-8 oz., for a light/small fixed blade you could step down a notch on the weight. One ounce in leather weight equals 1/64 inch thickness. I would go with Veg Tan leather for it's stiffness and ability to take tooling and dyes.
There are some YouTube presentations on sheath making and/or you could Google DIY leather knife sheath and probably find patterns and tips.
One example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwp6d9YjvlU
By the way, you don't need a lot of stuff for a simple knife sheath: utility knife (box cutter style), a few blades, either a stitching chisel (4 mm diamond chisel), hollow punch or drill to punch the stitch holes, waxed thread about a millimeter thick and two needles for saddle stitching (more YouTube instruction).
There are some YouTube presentations on sheath making and/or you could Google DIY leather knife sheath and probably find patterns and tips.
One example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwp6d9YjvlU
By the way, you don't need a lot of stuff for a simple knife sheath: utility knife (box cutter style), a few blades, either a stitching chisel (4 mm diamond chisel), hollow punch or drill to punch the stitch holes, waxed thread about a millimeter thick and two needles for saddle stitching (more YouTube instruction).
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Leather thickness is sold by pound weight and many use a snap type dial gauge. Some vendors sell them. Their are online charts. A micrometer may work if you do not have a snap type, not sure about a veneer type tool. I too found the snaps etc. at our local Hobby Lobby and Micheal's looked poor. I have been using carpet thread from Fields Fabric stores. I also have bees wax, 3 rounds from Jo Ann's, and keep them in the fridge, just pull unwaxed thread over one. Pure bees wax is the proffered lube for jewelers saw blades, helps against breaking.
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Thank youmarinaio61 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 4:13 am Typical leather weight for knife sheathes would be 7-8 oz., for a light/small fixed blade you could step down a notch on the weight. One ounce in leather weight equals 1/64 inch thickness. I would go with Veg Tan leather for it's stiffness and ability to take tooling and dyes.
There are some YouTube presentations on sheath making and/or you could Google DIY leather knife sheath and probably find patterns and tips.
One example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwp6d9YjvlU
By the way, you don't need a lot of stuff for a simple knife sheath: utility knife (box cutter style), a few blades, either a stitching chisel (4 mm diamond chisel), hollow punch or drill to punch the stitch holes, waxed thread about a millimeter thick and two needles for saddle stitching (more YouTube instruction).
Thank youmrwatch wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:23 am Leather thickness is sold by pound weight and many use a snap type dial gauge. Some vendors sell them. Their are online charts. A micrometer may work if you do not have a snap type, not sure about a veneer type tool. I too found the snaps etc. at our local Hobby Lobby and Micheal's looked poor. I have been using carpet thread from Fields Fabric stores. I also have bees wax, 3 rounds from Jo Ann's, and keep them in the fridge, just pull unwaxed thread over one. Pure bees wax is the proffered lube for jewelers saw blades, helps against breaking.
Learning by the second.
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
-
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2020 2:53 pm
- Location: Colorado
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
A little warning; leather crafting is highly addictive.
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
I would echo tandy or Springfield as good sources to start. Basic tools over stitch wheel, edger and a groover needles and waxed thread and leather and a awl or drill to make holes and off u go. 7 to 8 ounce veg tan works fine. I have even head of folks using a fork to mark hole punch spaces.
You can draw out patterns of graph paper leave like a half inch on the outside for the stitching and welt.(strip of leather 1/2 wide to protect stitches from blade place between the front and back pieces of leather). Also ceral boxes work well for cutting out patterns.
There is a great leather working forum online too :
https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/2 ... -sheathes/
They have a section with sheaths.
You can also wet mold veg tan to a knife if u want.
It can be addictive for sure
Ross
You can draw out patterns of graph paper leave like a half inch on the outside for the stitching and welt.(strip of leather 1/2 wide to protect stitches from blade place between the front and back pieces of leather). Also ceral boxes work well for cutting out patterns.
There is a great leather working forum online too :
https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/2 ... -sheathes/
They have a section with sheaths.
You can also wet mold veg tan to a knife if u want.
It can be addictive for sure
Ross
Einhornllc Custom knives and leather.
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Ok. I've been warned. TY!!
Thank you sir!!Rossr wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:50 pm I would echo tandy or Springfield as good sources to start. Basic tools over stitch wheel, edger and a groover needles and waxed thread and leather and a awl or drill to make holes and off u go. 7 to 8 ounce veg tan works fine. I have even head of folks using a fork to mark hole punch spaces.
You can draw out patterns of graph paper leave like a half inch on the outside for the stitching and welt.(strip of leather 1/2 wide to protect stitches from blade place between the front and back pieces of leather). Also ceral boxes work well for cutting out patterns.
There is a great leather working forum online too :
https://leatherworker.net/forum/forum/2 ... -sheathes/
They have a section with sheaths.
You can also wet mold veg tan to a knife if u want.
It can be addictive for sure
Ross
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
So how are you making out? Get what you need yet? Try one yet?
Ross
Ross
Einhornllc Custom knives and leather.
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Not yet. Watched a couple videos. A lot of tools needed and leather ain't cheap.
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Scott,
Is there a specific knive you want to make a sheath for? You mentioned fix blade. But what size. Pouch type sheath?
Ross
Is there a specific knive you want to make a sheath for? You mentioned fix blade. But what size. Pouch type sheath?
Ross
Einhornllc Custom knives and leather.
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
There is indeed. Belt loop, knife goes in deep, tip of handle ends up right at belt line. I've scored a couple at garage/estate sales over the years
and use them daily for my fixed blades that fit.
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Does this mean you have a sheath it's just the knife goes to far into it? If so. Isnit possible to unstich cut the top portion down and then reglue and stitch through existing holes. Fairly cheap solution
Ross
Einhornllc Custom knives and leather.
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
- TripleF
- Bronze Tier
- Posts: 18535
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:42 pm
- Location: West Central FL
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
No sir, this is what I'm wanting to make....Rossr wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:08 pmDoes this mean you have a sheath it's just the knife goes to far into it? If so. Isnit possible to unstich cut the top portion down and then reglue and stitch through existing holes. Fairly cheap solution
Ross
SCOTT
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
HOME OF THE BRAVE! (not the scarety cats)
Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Ok got.it. so you want them to sit.lower with a bit more leather on the knife and the top below the belt some. Correct?
Einhornllc Custom knives and leather.
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
Come stroll around my AAPK store sit a spell maybe buy a knife or two
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/rossr
https://www.einhorncustom.com/
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Always use veg tan saddle leather!! Chrome tan or oil tan will not provide enough support for a sharp blade!!
I use depending on the size of the knife blade about a 8 oz leather...layout the knife on some poster board...roughly draw the outline the....depending on the style of the sheath...you also cut out the front cover and strap for fastening the handle...use #24 snaps...don't forget to add a liner in-between the layers of leather....or you cut the thread first time sliding the blade in...make the liner same shape as the bottom part...then use the blade shape to determine how wide ur liner will be....at least twice as wide as your stitching line!! If all fits...use contact glue to attach bottom, liner and top!
Don't forget about the loop/opening in the back for ur belt!!
Use good waxed Nylon thread for hand sewing with 2 needles or lucky you have a heavy stitcher to sew it up!!
I dye my parts before assembly but either way works...when all sewn up...use sand paper or belt sander to smooth edges!
Done!!
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Sheath I have done...
Give me a shout if u need more help!!
- OLDE CUTLER
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:11 pm
- Location: South Dakota
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Some nice examples of your sheaths. I could never get into floral carving, preferred basketweave or animal carving. Your floral looks great.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
Re: Wanting to make fixed blade sheaths. Tips, what type of leather, etc.
Just playing around, never been taught by a pro....just having fun with it!!OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Fri Dec 03, 2021 11:05 pmSome nice examples of your sheaths. I could never get into floral carving, preferred basketweave or animal carving. Your floral looks great.