theonechrissharpe Report post Posted October 23, 2014 Hey everyone. I just finished my first sheath and Im moving on to my second now. I want to ask a few things of advice that I would like to correct moving forward. 1: When stitch grooving the front of the sheath, do you do the backside as well? 2: If so, when punching your stitch holes, will they line up correctly on the back side? 3: I used diamond hole punch, which i punch through the top piece of sheath, the welt and the back side of sheath. When pulling punch out the back side started to crease and almost crack from the tension. What to do to correct? 4: I made a scout style sheath that riveted the straps to the sheath itself. Because I riveted along stitch line, there is a slight gap in-between the welt and the top piece of sheath after glueing and stitching. Options to make it more flush? I apologize for all the questions, but I did not want to make 4 threads. Attached is a picture of my first finished sheath to give you idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted October 23, 2014 I'll try to answer best I understand the questions: 1. Yes I do, . . . in "most" cases. I can do that with full confidence as I always cement the pieces together, . . . sand and bevel the edges, . . . before I stitch groove. That gives me the ability to run a stitch groove on the front and the back and know that they will line up. 2. Yes, . . . if you do your part in punching them straight through. For the little bit of hand stitching I do, . . . I run both grooves, . . . mark it with a stitching wheel, . . . and punch through the front, . . . while watching the back. I use a pony most of the time for this. I watch for the point to appear, . . . if it is not in the groove where it should be, . . . I back up the awl a few thousandths, . . . re-push, . . . until I get the point to come out where I want it. 3. Lay down a piece of virgin bees wax, . . . stroke the awl on the beeswax (both sides of the awl) before starting in. That will fix your problem. 4. Take a look at the little drawing, . . . it'll show you how to clamp down the edges to get rid of the space you are having. On another note, . . . that is a good looking piece of leather work. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted October 23, 2014 Chrissharpe ------------------------------------------------------- This is an Ultimately beautiful sheath for a first time effort. The only difference I see is; You say you used a diamond punch ? As I do ! Maybe we both need to train ourselves better in the art of useing the awl as Dwight suggests ? Good workmanship . Congratulations ! ---------------- Wild Bill46 Thanx Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonechrissharpe Report post Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) Thank you Dwight for your insight. It is much appreciated! WildBill I appreciate your kind words! Edited October 23, 2014 by theonechrissharpe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonechrissharpe Report post Posted October 23, 2014 Another question when dyeing. Is it best to dye after stitch grooving, or dye the groove again after grooving and punching your holes? I noticed in one of Ian Atkinsons videos that he uses a fine brush to dye his groove and stitch holes after the sheath has already been dyed. Why is this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted October 23, 2014 Chris ------------------------------------------- What I do in this situation is; complete the shapeing, carving, punching/holes, etc. Use something small, round to dye holes/slits, Then dye all the rest at once, In this manor it excepts the color all at the same rate ! Hope im not confusing you ? and that this might help ! -------------------------------- Wild Bill46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chiefjason Report post Posted October 24, 2014 I groove the front stitch line. Punch my holes. And freehand groove the back along the line from the holes. Just another option. Dwight's got the rest covered. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonechrissharpe Report post Posted October 24, 2014 Thanks Bill and Jason for getting back to me. Question regarding your suggestion bill.... How I am making the sheath though is im not punching the holes until the welt has been glued in so I am punching all 3 layers of leather together. But at this stage the straps are already riveted in, so I wouldn't beable to die everything then because I would not beable to fully cover the sheath at this point. Hope that makes sense. Sorry to be a nag everyone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
