joelpete

Quick background; my ex-wife remarried and lives in an area where they don't get garbage pick-up so they haul their own garbage to the dump. One day whilst hauling said garbage my sons discovered a treasure.

Yeah, I don't actually pinch the tips together, I was just trying to explain how it opens. To insert the knife I just hold the side that's completely sewn shut, carefully introduce the first corner and then flex the sheath a little to slowly insert the knife without the sharp edge contacting the gusset, or shaving the inside of the sheath. Believe me, I'm in no hurry to test this blade against my own flesh.

The two top legs of the gusset rest on the shoulders of the blade and cause I tiny bit of pressure where the knife's bolster meets the sheath. The only "test" I could think of was to hold the handle of the knife and shake the heck out of it. The sheath moved very little laterally, and not at all away from the knife. So, exactly what it should have done, and better than I had hoped.

Thank you both. LatigoAmigo, that is exactly what I was looking for!

With some scraps from a remnant bag I made this headknife (round knife) sheath. First I carefully traced around the head of the knife on a file folder, then enlarged the pattern with a compass (dividing tool with a pencil on one end). I made the outter sides out of black 8-9oz. smooth and stiff leather, and a skive tapered gusset out of what started out as 5-6oz brown leather. I didn't want to use any metal that may mar my knife, or worse knick my edge, so I decided to use the top edge of the gusset to hold the blade in place. I used contact cement to place my tapered gusset in place, then stitched one leg of the top edge of the gusset to the back side. Next, I place the front side on and stitched the remaining gussetted area through all three layers. Since the gusset is only attached to one side of the front, and both sides of the back, I can slightly squeeze the top points of the sheath together, opening the half-free side and pivot the knife in place. At no point inside the sheath does the knife's edge contact the gusset nor stitching. Joel

Does anyone know a good resource for modern backpack or rucksack patterns and instructions? Links, books, etc? Specifically, I'm looking for patterns to make quality bags, "similar" to this attached image. I'm not looking for instructions in decorative tooling. Thank you!

Has anyone got a go-to supplier for needles, for their Boss? I'm specifically looking for round point 120/19. I could order from Tippmann but I hate to pay $8 shipping for a $12 pack of needles that barely weigh more than a standard letter. Also, what other needles (brands, types) have you used successfully/unsuccessfully?