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Author Topic: Leather knife sheath build along  (Read 5508 times)

Offline RGK

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Leather knife sheath build along
« 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.

 


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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 
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Offline RGK

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #1 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 
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Offline RGK

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2007, 09:35:00 PM »
Next up. Sewing it all together.
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Offline paleFace

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #3 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:
>~Rob~>

"Dad, I need to sit down I'm shaking to bad" my 12 year old son the first time he shot at a deer with his bow.
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Offline cory hunter

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #4 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
theres room for all of gods creatures...and thats right next to my mashed potatoes!

Offline RGK

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2007, 10:10:00 PM »
Tandy leather factory.
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Offline Whip

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #6 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!
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Offline Teacher_of_the_Arcane

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #7 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
Lobo Lohr -- Old School Hunter

Offline the Ferret

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #8 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?
There is always someone that knows more than you, and someone that knows less than you, so you can always learn and you can always teach

Offline elk ninja

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #9 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)...
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Offline Kindred Mark

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #10 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
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Offline RGK

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #11 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.
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Offline RGK

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #12 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.

 

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

 

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.

 

 

Next, I cemented the welt in place

 

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.

 

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

 

Next up. Coloring and finishing.
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Offline AZStickman

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2007, 06:31:00 PM »
Fantastic Build along..... Nice worksmanship....   :thumbsup:  Terry
"The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.".. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Offline RGK

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #14 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.

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 
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Offline RGK

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #15 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.

 
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Offline AllenR

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #16 on: April 14, 2007, 09:28:00 PM »
Beautiful work!!!

Offline pintail_drake2004

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #17 on: April 14, 2007, 09:36:00 PM »
i wish i could do that.
very nice.

Offline Kevin/TX

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Re: Leather knife sheath build along
« Reply #18 on: April 15, 2007, 01:37:00 AM »
What a great build a long. Thanks
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