Bryan M

Ok well, I have to admit I feel somewhat chastised. But, that does not mean I don't value everyones input. If you google Mark Knapp Custom Knives you will see his work. I know he uses 65# stranded nylon fishing line for his thread and his knives all are able to take a beating. He makes mostly for an Alaska hunting market. He has won awards and been written up in many knife magazines. Some of the latest ones are mentioned on his site. His current production knife is a 1911 handled survival blade that has a survival kit in the 1911 handle. It was designed and made for the 100 year anniversary of the 1911. I admit I don't know much about stitching leather. I'm primarily a blacksmith learning knifesmithing. I figured I would need to know how to make a good sheath at some point. I tend not to do things halfway. I am trying to learn to the best of my ability and will take the suggestions given. Just need to find the book and buy more tools now.

Just getting started in all this madness and I had a question about sewing methods. What is preferable? I know its a loaded question and its ment to be. I got the Tandy sewing awl yesterday and was practicing with it. It turned out a nice stitch IMO. I have a friend who showed me how to use this on a knife sheath he made. He doesn't use the chisels to make the holes. His method is a 1/16th inch drill bit in a drill press. I watched as he drilled all the holes for the sheath in a matter of minutes. It did not take a long time. He did use a spacing tool. I dunno what they are called, star wheel on a handle thingamabob. Then he used the sewing awl to stitch it all up. Start to finish it took less than 30 minutes work. Admitedly he's been doing this for a few decades and is an excellent knife maker. I've been talking to the folks in the chat here and it seems most use the two needle method, which I admit mystifies me. I saw the video posted on the site about doing that and I have yet to get the needles and awl needed to do that system of stitching. I know where I can get some needles that will work. I don't know if there are any leather sewing stuff other than what little I've found localy. Which is minimal. Not to mention pretty over priced, considering what I've seen online. One of the problems of living in Central Alaska. Any insight into the mysteries of hand stitching would be appreciated. Bryan

I've been hunting the site for things like this and hadn't found it yet. Just getting started so...

I found this tutorial online today and thought I would share. I plan on doing both of the Sheridan tutorials as practice pieces. I'll show my work when I get them done. http://www.rosaddlery.com/tutorials/sheridancarving.shtml I hope some can find this usefull. Byran M

Santa's house is right down the street. :D I moved here three years ago from .... Florida. I know I am insane.

Hello everyone. I'm Bryan, new to leather work. Just got some basic tools for Christmas. Some Craftool stamps and some leather. I plan on getting some hand stitching gear and a swivel knife soon. My main hobby is blacksmithing. This time of year where I live its difficult to do. -44f tempratures tend to keep me from going out to the shop. Lately I've been delving into, what some of my blacksmithing friends jokingly call, the dark side of smithing, knives. I have a few friends who make them and also make sheaths. So that will be my main focus. But, I have some other ideas of how to combine the two crafts. Making some of my own stamps for instance. So I hope to learn much and will be on often. Thanks Bryan M