Leatherworkers -- Armguard question

[Marvin M.]

OK, I'm definitely a rookie at all this leatherworking stuff.  I've made a couple of quivers that I like and I'm getting better at knife sheaths, but so far have been unsuccessful at putting together an armguard that I am willing to be seen in public with.     :confused:  

I'm still trying and I know that we've got some amazingly talented people on here, so how about a little help.  

I'd like to persuade someone to do a "How-to" for an armguard so that I can try again.      I love those armguards with a small knife incorporated into them.

  Hope and Faith thread  

I've never had the opportunity to see one in person or try one on, so I'm full of questions.  Like, "How do you keep the string from ripping the knife out when you shoot?"    :confused:  

Or, "How do you make the knife lay down to give you clearance?"  It seems to me that if you pull the blade into a flat sheath, it would make the end of the handle stick out.  

Or, "Does that thing have to be custom fit"?

And I don't want anyone to reveal their trade secrets or patents, but I would love to be able to make one of these.  I've got a little Marble's Caper that I really like that should work great in one of those armguard sheaths.

How about it?  Anybody want to share?  Please?

Marvin

[BobW]

Like this?      

 
 

Sorry bro, had to do it to ya..... I don't make them....

seems to me ya just got to study the work of "the masters"......

Good luck, and hope you get it.

BobW

[Henry Hammer]

I am not an expert but you have to make them so the knife sits either on top or on the far side of your arm. The armguard will almost go around your whole arm with 1-2 inches open on the backside. Also if you shoot and do not ever or hardly ever hit your arm then you do not have to worry about it. With proper form you should not hit your arm.

[BowHuntingFool]

Yes, I'm wondering the same thing. I'm wanting an arm guard with a knife incorporated, not sure if I try and make on or just purchase one here!

[Marvin M.]

Bob,

That's just mean!!!  The problem is, I've never seen anything but pictures.  Never seen one in person, so I'm having to try to work off a two-dimensional image.  Being a rookie leatherworker on top of it doesn't make it any easier.  

Looking at yours, with the "knife" that you have in there, I can see how the handle sticking up wouldn't be a problem.  Mine has a thicker handle that would make the end stand up.

Henry,

I suspected that, but again, I've never seen one in person and never seen a picture of anyone wearing one.

How about it guys?  Can someone post pictures wearing yours?

When I'm practicing I usually don't wear an armguard any more for the reason you stated.  I just don't hit my arm.  But, when I hunt I don wear one because it's fall/winter and you need a coat.  I love my wool coat, but the sleeves are bulky and I do hit the coat sleeve occaisionally, so I wear one when I hunt.

BHF,

If we keep this at the top long enough, someone will come along and show us something.  I just know it!!!

[Marvin M.]

As a matter of fact, If I can figure this thing out, I would try to do a build-along on it myself.  As stated earlier, I'm definetly a rookie at leather work and don't have any fancy tools, but I do have a couple of quivers that are functional and "presentable" that I have put together.

Come on guys, help out a rookie.

[razorback]

I am interested in one of these arm gaurds as well but have less leather experience than you. I have been trying to think of a way to make it and keep the knife out of the way. i think if you get poster board you should be able to mock up several designs to see how they fit on you arm, without the expense of trial and error with leather. jm2cw

[BobW]

Henry has is right.  The knife is on top.  If your bow string is hitting there....

Sorry to put up some more "eye candy".  Here is one with a more 3-dimensional handle....

 

There are some real talented guys out there that do this stuff, so for now, I'll leave it to them to chime in..

BobW

[Marvin M.]

Nice Bob, and I'm guessing the same person did both of those.

Workmanship looks similar in the two pictures.

[BowHuntingFool]

I'm kinda curious as to how tight the knife is in there?? Have you ever had the knife fall out while hunting?

[Mike Most]

I do quite a few arm guards, if I could figure out how to post an image I would show you the one of the arkansas razorback. normally the leather around the knife blade is cased or wetted to form it around the blade and allowed to dry that way before stiching. And yes the knives they do fall out.

[RightTrailWrongTime]

Hey Mike Most!!! I've seen your work first hand, you should open a photobucket account and show some of your stuff off. Good to see ya on here, hope to hunt with you again soon...wanna go back to Oklahoma?
I put a little strap on mine with an adjustable bead that slides up and down the strap, keeps mine in place well.

[BobW]

The "wet form" (if I am using the correct terminology), and the depth of the sheath holds it snug/well.  Who is to say what it will be like 20 years from now, but I'm pleased.

[tradtusker]

keep an eye out on St judes there are going to be 2 elephant leather armguards with Tippit knives        :D

[Marvin M.]

That's nice Dave!!!  Way beyond my skills, but the sheath looks pretty simple.