How do you do an inlay?

[Shorts]

Just as the title says, how do you put together the inlay? I've seen some beautiful sheaths on here.

[DCKNIVES]

Since inlays are about 95% of my sheathwork,I'll try to help you out. I give you the quick and basic version. For pouch sheaths, you'll need two layers of leather, an inner and outer and your inlay material. You can go with either two equal weight layers or a thicker inner layer and a thinner out layer. On smaller knives and folder sheaths I use two equal weight layers. Anyways, cut an opening in the outer layer and use that to determine the part of the inlay you want shown. Before gluing the inlay to the inner layer, dertermine if you wish to put padding underneath it( any number of things can be used suede, the piece you cutout for the opening trrimmed down a tad, foam ) or leave it flat. On some skins I prefer flat.Glue up inlay, then glue the outer layer to the inner layer only gluing the area on the inlay side of the sheath. Layout your stitch line around the opening and stitch it up.Dampen your crease line and start folding the backside over but do not glue yet. Once folded both layers can be glued, trimmed, and the belt loop and welt can be added then glue up and finish assembly.A bit simplified but that is the basics. For a sandwich style sheath you will have another layer, first the back, welt, top layer inlay then outer layer. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.Good luck. Dave

[moon]

I've been wanting to do that as well,thanks.Moon

[Shorts]

Thank you for the explanation Dave. I'm going to hopefully get some inlays into my projects soon.