Talfuchre Report post Posted March 25, 2009 After a LOT of reading, lurking on this board and others, and thinking... I decided to take on making a simply pouch sheath for my Bark River Knife and Tool blade - called an Aurora. It came with a sheath by SharpShooter sheath's which was fine - but I wanted not only to change a few details - but make my own. I got all of my tools and some 8 or so ounce leather and set to work. Perhaps 20 hours later (it would be much faster next time) I finished it. I think it came out okay. It has a Chicago screw at the top so the dangler can be removed and I decided against any rivets or lanyard tubes as it seemed to detract from the look. I learned that Oxblood dye needs about eleven billion coats to get it dark and not just red, and the sealing was a learning process. I ended sealing the inside with some supersheen and the outside with a wax and neatsfoot oil compound. I am happy with the finish and the feel of the piece. Please tell me what you think and give me advice and links to tutorials for anything you think I could do better. I am deeply impressed by the difficulty of leather work - and my respect that do good work has skyrocketed. Thanks, TF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted March 25, 2009 fine looking sheath..keep up the good work. only idea i would suggest would be to put a grommet in that hole in the bottom. your stiching is great............ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Talfuchre Report post Posted March 25, 2009 I thought about doing a grommet there: I just thought it took away from the leather... TF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted March 25, 2009 NOW IT LOOKS LIKE A FINISHED PRODUCT.......IMHO..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted March 25, 2009 Great job.....I like it better without the grommet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PANTHER Report post Posted March 25, 2009 (edited) VERY NICE!! SHARP, CLEAN DESIGN. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT ELSE YOU'LL DO. BY THE WAY, I LIKE YOUR PHOTO LAYOUT IN THE FIRST PICTURE. NICELY DONE!!! Panther Edited March 25, 2009 by PANTHER Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted March 25, 2009 I meant to ask, did you do the monkey fist on the lanyard? I want to learn that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheArtisan Report post Posted March 25, 2009 I meant to ask, did you do the monkey fist on the lanyard? I want to learn that. Very nice work I come from an automotive upholstery background and I use a toro 3000 with 415 thread for my top stitching in the middle of my seats shown. Did you use a machine or hand stitch it Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Talfuchre Report post Posted March 25, 2009 That is hand stitched. I don't have a machine. That knot is not a monkey's fist. It is a boatswain lanyard knot - doubled. Thanks for the comments! TF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted March 26, 2009 Excuuuuuuuse me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Talfuchre Report post Posted March 26, 2009 I am not sure why you said that Rayban. Here is the link to the Boatswain Whistle Knot: http://www.ropeworks.biz/reader/boatswai.pdf TF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echo4V Report post Posted March 26, 2009 Talfuchre- glad you found the site. Just wanted to post on here to give my opinion on the grommet. I think for your purpose I would leave the grommet off. Either way it's one heck of a first project. David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted March 26, 2009 Good looking sheath and sweet stitching. I like it better with the grommet. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saddlebag Report post Posted March 26, 2009 Very nice work. A fellow who's lived in the bush all his life, hunting, trapping, etc. told me that one doesn't want anything shiney as it can reflect in the sun. When I make knife cases I run a thin strip of leather about 1/4" wide along the stitched edge. This protects the stitching from the sharp blade as it's slid in and out of the sheath. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveD Report post Posted March 27, 2009 Rayban: Here's a great animated site for learning different knots. http://www.animatedknots.com/monkeysfist/i...imatedknots.com Dave I meant to ask, did you do the monkey fist on the lanyard? I want to learn that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted March 27, 2009 Rayban: Here's a great animated site for learning different knots. http://www.animatedknots.com/monkeysfist/i...imatedknots.com Dave Thanks Dave...very cool site, I'll be using it for sure! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhall Report post Posted March 27, 2009 Great work and a tip..Prior to staining ,wipe the project down with Denatured Alcohol ,that way your stain will "set" a lot easier.It works for me!It also saves on materials(stain). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Talfuchre Report post Posted March 28, 2009 Great work and a tip..Prior to staining ,wipe the project down with Denatured Alcohol ,that way your stain will "set" a lot easier.It works for me!It also saves on materials(stain). Nice - thanks for the advice - this is exactly the kind of stuff I need to hear. LIttle stuff that makes my work better! TF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites