Min leather weight for tool sheaths?

[DaveWilkes]

I am making tool (axe, pulaski, etc) sheaths. The first few I made are from 5-6 oz veg tan, and I am wondering what is the lightest weight leather that would be suitable for this? Since this is for a nonprofit organization, if I can reduce cost even a little that would be nice, but these are used for trail work (bucking/clearing logs, repairing trail, etc) in the PNW, so they need to be durable & functional.

TIA

[Gezzer]

Not knowing what cuts of the hide you are using , import bellies 10/ 11 oz are fairly cheap and should  hold up better than going thinner . Just a thought , as it seems you are about function and not something to tool or to visually impress . 

https://www.springfieldleather.com/Import-Bellies?quantity=1&leather-thickness=12

[Cattleman]

Personally, for any edged tool I wouldn't go any lighter weight than 5/6 oz. And for a full size axe, or similar tool, I would use 9/10 or heavier.

[Littlef]

This is really an opinion question and not a true rule.  You've made them out of 5-6 oz, so you know what those look like, and how they function.  In my opinion, 5-6 is really light for an axe, that will get packed in an offroad vehicle amongst other steel tools.  Its gonna get banged around in transport, and truly carried in the forest to clear trails.  I've made plenty of 8-10 oz holsters, which would be suitable for an axe.  Heavier leathers will be more durable over time.  9/10/11 would be even better for durability.  I would not recommend going any lighter than the 5-6 oz you've already been using, and I think you'll find over time, the 5--6 oz will get beat up pretty quick.

[DaveWilkes]

Thanks for the responses. While it is not what I wanted to hear, it seems to be what I need to know. I would like to minimize costs, but there is no point in making something that just falls apart like some of the old sheaths that I am trying to replace.

Much appreciated!

[DieselTech]

Double your 5-6oz leather for a 10-12oz leather. 

As others has stated, I like my leather for tool sheaths & such, made out of 9-12oz leather. 

[HandyDave]

I'm sure you know but there is also grades of leather at most suppliers. So for something that doesn't need to be show ready but still plenty tough and durable go with a lesser grade of leather which usually will save you substantially. Sometimes a grade C can be half the cost of grade A.  Nice piece of more rustic looking hide with some branding marks and bug bites and such imo looks better on a real working tool then a shiney spotless hide anyway.

[Mablung]

For your purposes, an Economy grade 8-10 oz. double shoulder from Tandy would be perfect. Not going to ever win any beauty awards or take tooling well, but that’s okay for this purpose. It’ll take a beating and keep on going, which it sounds is the primary characteristic you care about.