All About Pocket Knives

I know nothing about making sheaths.
What type of leather?
Where to buy?
Fixed blade sheath with no snaps.

Thanks

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.

Hobby Lobby also has a lot of leather work items and leather if you have a store in your area.

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.

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.
They had rows and rows and rows of wall decor.....not exactly "crafty" stuff IMO.

TripleF wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:48 pm

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.

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.
They had rows and rows and rows of wall decor.....not exactly "crafty" stuff IMO.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just went to Apringfleild and saw nothing for knives....don't know finishes or weights.....

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).

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.

marinaio61 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 you

mrwatch 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.

Thank you

Learning by the second.

A little warning; leather crafting is highly addictive.

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

marinaio61 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:31 pm A little warning; leather crafting is highly addictive.

Ok. I've been warned. TY!!

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

Thank you sir!!

So how are you making out? Get what you need yet? Try one yet?

Ross

Rossr wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 12:53 am So how are you making out? Get what you need yet? Try one yet?

Ross

Not yet. Watched a couple videos. A lot of tools needed and leather ain't cheap.

Scott,

Is there a specific knive you want to make a sheath for? You mentioned fix blade. But what size. Pouch type sheath?

Ross

Rossr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 3:06 am Scott,

Is there a specific knive you want to make a sheath for? You mentioned fix blade. But what size. Pouch type sheath?

Ross

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.

TripleF wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:21 am

Rossr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 3:06 am Scott,

Is there a specific knive you want to make a sheath for? You mentioned fix blade. But what size. Pouch type sheath?

Ross

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.

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

Rossr wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:08 pm

TripleF wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:21 am

Rossr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 3:06 am Scott,

Is there a specific knive you want to make a sheath for? You mentioned fix blade. But what size. Pouch type sheath?

Ross

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.

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

No sir, this is what I'm wanting to make....

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?

TripleF wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 11:29 am I know nothing about making sheaths.
What type of leather?
Where to buy?
Fixed blade sheath with no snaps.

Thanks

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!!

TripleF wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 11:29 am I know nothing about making sheaths.
What type of leather?
Where to buy?
Fixed blade sheath with no snaps.

Thanks

Sheath I have done...
Give me a shout if u need more help!!

Alien883 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:46 pm

TripleF wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 11:29 am I know nothing about making sheaths.
What type of leather?
Where to buy?
Fixed blade sheath with no snaps.

Thanks

Sheath I have done...
Give me a shout if u need more help!!

Some nice examples of your sheaths. I could never get into floral carving, preferred basketweave or animal carving. Your floral looks great.

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Fri Dec 03, 2021 11:05 pm

Alien883 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:46 pm

TripleF wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 11:29 am I know nothing about making sheaths.
What type of leather?
Where to buy?
Fixed blade sheath with no snaps.

Thanks

Sheath I have done...
Give me a shout if u need more help!!

Some nice examples of your sheaths. I could never get into floral carving, preferred basketweave or animal carving. Your floral looks great.

Just playing around, never been taught by a pro....just having fun with it!!