Gift For A Friend.

[BOHUNTER]

Alright guys, I beat myself up for the bandsaw blade delima and the MAIL RAN today.... brought me a package with my Black USMC Dye! Ive been working on a few designs for my buddy and the other week when we went diving I stole his knife out of the truck!! Im mean but its all good! He is going to get it this coming weekend wrapped in this new sheath! He is a Marine, served with President Bush as his detail. He has a lot of stories and just the real Bush temperment! Oh well we dive and flintknap together and just like a brother we have a freaking hell of a time when we get together! Im in my practice stage and I felt he wouldnt miss the knife ... if not he would be relieved to get it back in a better condition.

Decided a straight sheath, laminated, looped with a high handle, If you see the images he is also a County Deputy and my first design was a Star for the LEO! Then I was looking around Ebay and saw the Marines Ensignia and the next day went to the local Surplus store and grabbed a few for 3-5 bucks each, new or used. This is the Collar pin. A little Enlistment knowledge was that the Anchors are left and right, make sure you get the anchor headed where ya going not DRAGGING!!! Hey if its gonna be right better make it right! So for the offset of the USMC Black sheath and the black pin I felt a change in color for that section might set it off better. Good Move! Cant tell ya how many hours it has but I worked on it pretty much all day today off and on between the kids. I tried Olive Drab but I guess I didnt have the right combination and after an hour of being Dr. Jekyll I gave up and went deep green. I used a rag to apply it not the brush wanted it kinda thin. Gun Metal hardware and black stitch. Here she is!!!!!

The pin has a brass stud with screw nut, you will have to grind or cut it off and file or grind the nut a little to set it flush. Also you must sew the outter piece to the front BEFORE you glue them up! Lots of steps in these sheaths, Im getting closer to figuring it out! IM still having issues with drilling the sheath and grooving being the same. Im off a hair. You can see in the pic I use some cardboard to level the sheath off instead of drilling out the top or way off the bottom groove on the back. Im sure its a trick I just dont know yet but keeps ya thinking. Hope you enjoy it. Support all Law Enforcement and our Military, they work hard for our FREEDOMS!

STEVE BOHUNTER HOLLOWAY

Edited June 5, 2011 by BOHUNTER

[BOHUNTER]

486 people visited the LEATHERWORKER.net site today......

[WinterBear]

I have a feeling your bud's fellow Marines may attempt to mug him for this. Nice.

[flyingcuda]

looks great! nice and clean. i'm sure that your friend will love it!

[whiteeugene]

Looks great

[ramrod]

very nice. a great idea with that pin.

[1911 Operator]

Very Cool gift. Great job with the pin. I like that you planned out everything on paper best way to ensure a great project is to plan it out.

Only thing I'd mention in the leather work is the edging. A few seconds on a belt sander, or a little elbow grease with a piece of sand paper in your hand will go a long way to getting your edges in line. There is a great "how-to" for edging in the "how to" section. It's where I learned.

I "borrowed" a certain firearms from my dad to do the same thing. He didn't even know it went missing, Thought I bought him a new gun. I sure didn't anticipate that snag, but it turned out well.

[BOHUNTER]

Ill check out the edging tutorial. I take it down smooth with a 120 grit drum sander and then use a piece of wood to burnish it and after about 5-6 minutes and a bead of sweat I think Im done, I cant get that glassy slick jet black edge. Ill read up on it and try it again. The only image pic is on the drill press and the edges are not finished then. They are the last thing I did except for the one like the strap, the front piece bottom and the loop. Sounds good and I appreciate the help.

I appreciate the input, makes it worth posting here.

Steve

[Mexi Mike]

Goodwork Bo... our wives have a special place in heaven where they get to discuss our vast hobbies..lol