Grunt Report post Posted February 10, 2008 Here are some pics of my latest knife sheath. Once again standard disclaimer about not being a photographer is in effect. Although you can't tell from the photos the sheath is dyed with Fieblings Mahogany. The color came out real nice and deep. I finished every thing with Neat Lac. Overall I am real happy with the way this one turned out. " Any comments are welcome and thanks for looking. Regards, Nick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted February 10, 2008 LOOKS GREAT, KEEP 'EM COMMING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveb Report post Posted February 10, 2008 (edited) mmm..thick and clean - very nice - got a question though. when i carry a knife i want it to ride high, because i am moving around alot, in and out of cars, sitting down, etc and find that a standard type sheath rides waay low for me - always pulling the blade away from my body and i am usually painfully aware i am carrying a blade...which is why i make my sheaths to ride high or horizontal.... what are your thoughts? sheaths are really a favorite of mine as they require me to take the time to really get to know the blade and how the person will be carrying, or maybe not carrying the blade...i take each one as its own special needs customer...lol here is how i handle a "high carry-ing" sheath for 2 diff blades- what are your thoughts Grunt steveb Edited March 2, 2008 by Johanna reduced pic sizes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grunt Report post Posted February 10, 2008 Steve, Nice work on those sheaths. I like the way they ride, very nice. I think that the position of the sheath does depend on the end user and their intended use as well as how they move around. Intended use, ease of movement, and comfort of carry are all major considerations. For moving around a lot, in and out of cars, sitting down, etc a high ride sheath it definitely preferable. In my opinion a high ride or horizontal carry sheath is only suitable for folders or smaller fixed blades. Any thing larger than that runs into the same problems as a lower riding belt sheath. I think that knives are similar to pistols in this regard. The requirement of the end user should be the biggest consideration in design. My requirements differ according to my activity and whether or not I am in uniform, body armor and web gear, or civilian clothes. Whether or not I am in my Bradley, riding in a HMMV, or on the ground. I will post some pics of my sheath that I carry on my Tac Vest later today. sheaths are really a favorite of mine as they require me to take the time to really get to know the blade and how the person will be carrying, or maybe not carrying the blade...i take each one as its own special needs customer...lol I couldn't agree more. Coming up with different designs and configurations is second only to the actual building of the sheath for me in terms of enjoyment. Best Regards, Nick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John D Dennehy Report post Posted February 10, 2008 Nick and Steve - Just a few comments for both of you if I may. The sheath looks great. Well designed with the nice scallop work to match the handle slab. I would dress up the keeper strap just a bit with more shape instead of just a 1/2" strap. I try to design sheaths to have the keeper away from the cutting edge. That's not always possible so you do the best you can. Following Steves thoughts on high or horizontal carry - The way this sheath is made is fine and would hang at a nice height in easy reach as it looks to be about a six or seven inch blade. As Steve mentions this doesn't work for him. The shape of the knife lends itself to a nice pouch sheath that would situate it higher or horizontal on a belt. Steve, You are exactly correct in working with the customer and the knife to accomodate both. I would like to know why you use the copper rivets and it looks like a snap as a retention device. Are you lining the sheath? Thanks, John D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randyc Report post Posted February 10, 2008 Nick Very cool job on your sheath. Great stitching. Maybe I should send mystuff to you to be stitched. :D Semper FI Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grunt Report post Posted February 10, 2008 John, Thanks for the kind words. I really enjoyed your article in The Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal on making "Randall" style sheaths. Reading your article made me decide to fold the belt loop and stich it into the sheath iself. I like this method and will us it more. Unfortunately keeping this type of keeper strap from the cutting edge of this particular knife doesn't work. I have however got this particular problem licked. I will be using a different design on my next one. I like how you do the keeper straps on your "Randall" Style sheaths, just little different than most, very nice . I also chcked out your web site, you definitely do some nice work I also noticed that you have a rig that allows verticle tip up carry for a fixed blade knife, like the one in your avatar. Just a thought on this. When I was a young Private I had attactched my new fixed blade knife to my web gear suspenders tip up,all wrapped in 550 cord, just like I had seen in the movies. I thought I was real cool and salty looking, plus I was really proud of this new knife. My Platoon Sergeant, who was LRRP / Ranger with 1st CAV in Viet Nam, took me aside and in a fatherly tone said " That's a nice knife ya got there, but I got one question for you, "What's gonna happen when bullets are flying and you gotta put that knife away real quick?" I though about this for a second and then visualized myself stabbing my skinny little neck with this knife and maybe cutting my own throat in my haste. Upon seeing the look on my face as this dawned on me, SFC Sablan just gave a little smile and nodded. I quickly scampered off and put the damned thing on my web belt. Man I miss him. Just my .02 your milage may vary. Randy, Thanks, believe it or not, I enjoy stitching my sheaths by hand I find it very satisfying. A belt on the other hand . Plus I can't afford a machine right now so hand stiching it is, belts and all. Regards, Nick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Warren Report post Posted February 10, 2008 Grunt, love the way you matched the top edge of the sheath with the knife scales. Very artistic touch to a nice utilitarian design. Warren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John D Dennehy Report post Posted February 10, 2008 Now it's my turn to say "Thank You"! When I do one of these vertical carry rigs it's usally for those that just find it unique. The ones I have taken to Knife Shows have no keeper strap of any kind. I designed this sheath in the early nineties just to have something to attract attention at shows. It worked. Is it practical for anything? I guess that's up to the owner. Would I have carried one into the bush? I probably would have gone through the same experiance that you did. I can tell you this; the design allows the normal guy to carry the knife under a sweater or jacket. He can reach up and give a slight tug and it's in his hand and ready for use. That's the selling point. I have done knife and gun shows with my father since the 60's. They can be long and tiring days if your nt selling. I decided when I got out there on my own to always have something to attract attention. Since I can't get my wife to run around in a bikini and high heels I have come up with other ideas. Take care, John D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveb Report post Posted February 10, 2008 <snip>I would like to know why you use the copper rivets and it looks like a snap as a retention device. Are you lining the sheath? Thanks, John D yes John, I am lining my sheaths, for the most part..sometimes not...all depends.... on what is going on with the blade...and how i feel about it...i follow no rule..but you make me think?? should i be ...lol? AFA using snaps - my clients tend to keep their blades holstered for 99.9% of the time... so there is not alot of in and out and the little work a blade see is mostly utility work.("may i cut that cheese for you"?)..ha... i make more holsters for folders than i do fixed blades..so my main concern is keeping the blade secure - these are not tactical sheaths, thats not my thing the rivets are for one good reason - safety- i use the small #14 rivets and dome them good so they wont contact the blade it is actually easier to sew the loop on, but if youve ever gottten your blade hooked, or your holster/sheath snared, you'd dest hope your holster will let go - and it is alot more likely a single rivet will let go - you can pop it with a real good jerk -before a sewn loop does. I'd rather replace a sheath before having to try and replace a person who got hurt because he got snared by a seatbelt in an accident, grabbed by an assailant, etc.... steveb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John D Dennehy Report post Posted February 10, 2008 Steveb, Interesting thought on the breakaway idea. It's different to me as I have never been taught to install a belt loop like that. I will have ponder on that for a while. I am always open to new ideas. Thanks, John D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikeymoto Report post Posted February 11, 2008 Hi Nick, nice ASH! As was previously mentioned I like how you scalloped the front of the sheath so the handle meshes with it. A classy touch. I also like how the thread color you chose stands out from the sheath's color and is similar to the double cut blade. Cheers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyH Report post Posted October 18, 2013 Do or have any of you used rawhide as liner? I have on a few custom "buckaroo" sheaths ( in my gallery is one- light body w/ black edging). I only took the rawhide as high as the pommel/ guard & slit the leather to slide top edge of rawhide into & glued it. Seemingly alot of work but fun experimenting. The rawhide is also stitched between outer layers. Anyone have thoughts/comments on this? All input appreciated Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
