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Topic Archives => How To - Resources => Topic started by: RGK on April 13, 2007, 09:33:00 PM

Title: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: RGK on April 13, 2007, 09:33:00 PM
With the Drop point knife now done. I started on the sheath. I am really getting into leather working.

I started with a piece of scrap leather to come up with the sheath design. After a few tweaks, It's ready to transfer to the good leather.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw98.jpg)


The good piece of leather is a 8 Oz. Veg tanned shoulder.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99.jpg)

8 Oz. means it's slightly thicker than an 1/8 of an inch.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw992.jpg)

From this piece of leather I cut the sheath, The belt loop and the welt which gets sewed into the sheath to protect the stitching from the sharp knife blade.

  (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw991.jpg)

The design I want to carve and stamp into the leather is a simple one. A border with a basket weave and a deer's head.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw993.jpg)

I wet (cased) the leather with water and a sponge so it would take the tooling I will do.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw994.jpg)

I then used the swivel knife to cut the border about half way deep into the leather.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw995.jpg)

Next, I used a stamp with the likeness of a deer's head.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw996.jpg)
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: RGK on April 13, 2007, 09:34:00 PM
With the small basket weave punch (at the top) I kept striking the leather in an alternating pattern.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw997.jpg)

Lastly I used a feather stamp and went around the border.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw998.jpg)

When held up to the light, you can see the depth of the 3D pattern.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw999.jpg)

I finished the stamping part of the project by putting a pattern on the belt loop.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9991.jpg)
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: RGK on April 13, 2007, 09:35:00 PM
Next up. Sewing it all together.
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: paleFace on April 13, 2007, 09:38:00 PM
looking good.... you have inspired me... i'm working on a knife from the knife build-a-long now so this sheath build-a-long is the perfect addition.... thanx    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: cory hunter on April 13, 2007, 09:41:00 PM
wow awsome, were did you get the tools for that kind of designing? id love to get my hands on a few

-cory
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: RGK on April 13, 2007, 10:10:00 PM
Tandy leather factory.
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: Whip on April 14, 2007, 12:30:00 AM
This is perfect Ron!  I have a knife that needs a sheath - I'm following this one step by step!
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: Teacher_of_the_Arcane on April 14, 2007, 10:22:00 AM
Ron,

I picked up a nice little knife from Fred Asbell at the Traditional Expo a couple of weekends ago.  Now I can do a very functional sheath to go with it!!

Thanks for your efforts in posting the process.

Lobo in West Virginia
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: the Ferret on April 14, 2007, 11:04:00 AM
Teacher..I ALMOST bought one of those knives (wished I had later). He only had one small one left when I took off. Which one did you get?
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: elk ninja on April 14, 2007, 11:46:00 AM
I DID buy one of those little knives from Fred, great little knife, it's going to be handy if I ever get lucky enough to use it this year... I am going to make mine a neck sheath and include a "scout sparker" (fire starter)...
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: Kindred Mark on April 14, 2007, 03:33:00 PM
Ron, exceptional lesson, looking forward to the sewing part.  Can you include the tools required for a beginner; Any books or videos you would recommend to get into this hobby at the conclusion.  Thanks Marks
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: RGK on April 14, 2007, 04:40:00 PM
Mark. I have never read any books or watched any videos so I can't recommend any. I have never really done much leather work until about 2 months ago when I made an armguard. I'm leaning as I go. The Tandy leather factory is where I have purchased all my supplies. I have asked a few questions while I was there. Mostly I do things by trial and error.
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: RGK on April 14, 2007, 04:41:00 PM
In order to hand stitch the leather, I find it easier to use contact cement to hold the pieces in place so after I punch the holes, things won’t be shifting and sliding around on me.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9992.jpg)

To stitch leather this thick I need to punch holes. To do this I used a forked chisel punch.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9993.jpg)

Then I repeated the process on the bottom of the belt loop. I am sewing with a heavy braided waxed thread with a breaking point of 35 pounds.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9994.jpg)

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9995.jpg)

Next, I cemented the welt in place

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9996.jpg)

I have to sew through 3 layers of leather for the welt. The forked punch is not quite long enough to go through all the layers so it takes a little force to push the needle through.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9997.jpg)

After stitching, I trimmed the edge all around and added a brass rivet in the high stress area.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9998.jpg)

Next up. Coloring and finishing.
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: AZStickman on April 14, 2007, 06:31:00 PM
Fantastic Build along..... Nice worksmanship....   :thumbsup:  Terry
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: RGK on April 14, 2007, 08:39:00 PM
In order to shape the opening and make it stay in that shape. I wetted the leather and placed the knife back in the sheath.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw9999.jpg)

After clamping it and letting it dry for a few hours. It took the shape nicely.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99991.jpg)

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99992.jpg)

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99993.jpg)

Next. I added a little color to the leather. I used a product called antique finish.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99994.jpg)

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99995.jpg)

After applying the finish. I wiped it off and buffed it.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99996.jpg)

When it dried, I applied edge kote to the cut edges of the leather to make it smooth and make it shine.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99997.jpg)
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: RGK on April 14, 2007, 08:41:00 PM
lastly, I added I applied 3 coats of super sheen to seal, waterproof and give the leather a nice shine. Project complete.

 (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/arrows/saw99998.jpg)
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: AllenR on April 14, 2007, 09:28:00 PM
Beautiful work!!!
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: pintail_drake2004 on April 14, 2007, 09:36:00 PM
i wish i could do that.
very nice.
Title: Re: Leather knife sheath build along
Post by: Kevin/TX on April 15, 2007, 01:37:00 AM
What a great build a long. Thanks