Cross Draw knife

[Bill Tell]

Why oh why can't I find a great cross draw knife.  Who makes these for us guys with a little over the belt line?  I'm tired of my knife sticking me in the love handles.

[tippit]

Any leathersmith can make a Cross Draw sheath if asked.  Just need to change the orientation of the belt loop.  Try Tree Stump Leather in Maine.  Here are a few of my sheaths...very simple design sheaths.  Doc

 

[Bill Tell]

Doc,

I have tried to make a couple of sheaths myself and just keep coming up with this could be better.

You have helped me in the past and I just can't get the stitch down with the thicker leather.

I do leather all of the time but this just is too thick.

[Wampus]

You can use a drill press or electric drill with a bit about the size of the needle to make the holes before you stitch it up.

[Bill Tell]

Originally posted by Wampus:
You can use a drill press or electric drill with a bit about the size of the needle to make the holes before you stitch it up.

I always get the needle eye to mash and then break.  It either breaks in half the eye or cuts the thread.

[skullworks]

My needles use to break alot until I switch to harness needles. A little heavier but I haven't had one break yet.

[tippit]

Drill Press with a #4 finishing nail ground to a point.  Problem on thicker leather is the hole on the far side doesn't always come out the same distance from the edge.  So I'll not drill full thickness and adjust my far side as I stitch.

Or I now just use this little girl to get my stitch holes just right...still hand stitch though as I like the look better than a machine...Doc

 

[tippit]

Here is some of the sheath work Tree Stump Leather can do.  He'll also give a discount to bladesmiths on an order of 6 or more sheaths.  That knife is long gone...but I still use the sheath on some nicer designed blades.  OK so what if the sheath was better than the Knife...window dressing always draws the eye      Doc

 

[Bill Tell]

Originally posted by tippit:
Drill Press with a #4 finishing nail ground to a point.  Problem on thicker leather is the hole on the far side doesn't always come out the same distance from the edge.  So I'll not drill full thickness and adjust my far side as I stitch.

Or I now just use this little girl to get my stitch holes just right...still hand stitch though as I like the look better than a machine...Doc

   

Yes that is the same problem that I have.

[tippit]

If the hole is Big enough the needle eye won't break...but sometimes the breakage comes on my last double back stitches.  Just put a new needle on as your almost finished anyway.  I use Tandy needles in a 100 pack  

[Bill Tell]

Has waxing helped?  I use the tandy needles too.

[tippit]

Yea, I always add extra wax.

[razorback]

Bill,
I got a very nice cross draw knife from Knifemaker in the Knife swap this year. PM me and I will send you his contact info. He works out of West Bend Wisconsin.

[Roughcountry]

Bill, if your breaking the eyes on your needles you have the wrong awl tip in your haft. That or your not keeping your needle straight as you pull it thru. Go up one size in your awl and twist it a little as you pull it out.It will widen the hole a bit and won't interfere with the leather closing down on the thread when you go over it with the overstitch wheel when done.

You should be able to pull your harness needles thru with your fingers pretty easy once the thread sets on the needle. It helps to use a little wax and a burnish cloth on your threaded needles right before you start sewing. ( it sets the twisted loop on your needle)

[Mechslasher]

i use a 1/16" bit in my drill press to predrill the holes.  just make sure you keep the sheath level while drilling or the far side holes will be all over the place.

 

 

 

[First White Falcon]

Make a paper pattern. and make holes with a hand drill.

 

[Bill Tell]

Originally posted by First White Falcon:
Make a paper pattern. and make holes with a hand drill.

Oh man I never thought about my hand drill.  Great tip.

So OK I am going to try once more to make my own.  When I get it done I will post it up.  Everyone on here has given me a lot more info that will help me a lot.

[mater]

I use a dremel with the cable and a drill bit for the holes.    
  Mark

[First White Falcon]

I lay out ther holes with a tracer wheel and glue the leather thgather and drill and stitch.
Here is another sample.