First Project Since Jr. High

[soulcarve]

Hi,

Intro:

I am new here and haven't made anything out of leather since those classic bracelets we made out of

leather back when I was in shop class in junior high school (3 decades ago). Recently I found myself needing a sheath for my

Tramontina 14" bolo machete.

Of course, as luck would have it, I found leatherworker.net after putting this sheath together a couple weeks ago, but figured I'd

share my experience since I am now hooked on learning more leather working skills. I really enjoy reading all the information here,

and with enough perusing through the forums, I can find most answers I'm looking for without asking ... of course, I'm sure I'll ask

a few in the near future as other projects get underway.

The Work:

I found an old unfinished leather rifle case at a thrift store for $6 with lacing holes already punched in it.

Figured, all I needed to do was measure, cut and sew it up. About right, but it turned out to be a tad more involved -- isn't it always? :-)

I cut off the bottom end of the rifle sheath, wet it, folded it over to try to match edges evenly, clamped it, let it dry, glued the edges and clamped it

until glue dried. Later added some rivets and 1/4" eyelets. Sewed it up with one of those Speedy Stitchers (I know, I know, these are taboo here).

Still, I paid 16.99 for the stitching tool which included an extra 30 yds. of the thread and am somewhat happy with the outcome, plus I repaired

a backpack along the way, so to me the Speedy Stitcher was worth it. Of course I added a belt loop with some leather scraps I bought from

the hobby store. I was going to sew the loop, but decided for a bush whacking sheath 4 rivets would do. I decided to put the eyelets above

the stitching (those were a pain) so as not to allow the blade to cut through glue and stitches.

Result:

Edges still turned out to be a tad uneven since the leather had been folded in one position for so long, but I can come back and trim this, but at

1/16th to 1/32nd of-an-inch off I'm not too worried about it for a sheath that is just supposed to be functional, not beautiful. In the end, all I

wanted was a slip sheath to house the bolo -- and it looks much better than the cardboard & duct tape one that I threw together a year ago.

Anyway, I was pretty proud considering I did this on the floor of my apartment using some a few scraps of woods for clamping and pounding,

and had never sewn a piece of leather together.

Along the way I got bit by the bug and have now spent about $175 on leather tools, a few bags of farmer leather (variety & mostly 7-9oz. stuff I'd guess) and

I have a few projects in mind. I think I have LTAS (Leather Tool Acquisition Syndrome) now and new projects keep racing through my head.

I recently bought a stitching wheel marker, groover, keen edge beveler and some waxed thread and needles, maybe next project I'll sew using

"the preferred method". Your comments welcomed.

Glad to be here, & thanks for looking!

[Jazznow]

I think you did a good start. I like the sheath, but i would be afraid that the blade of the knife becomes dull because of the studs.

I know that force that makes little voices in my head whisper " buy more tools, buy more tools!" I'm just glad, that i don't have enough money to folllow this voices^^

Greetings Jazznow

Edited March 29, 2011 by Jazznow

[soulcarve]

I think you did a good start. I like the sheath, but i would be afraid that the blade of the knife becomes dull because of the studs.

I know that force that makes little voices in my head whisper " buy more tools, buy more tools!" I'm just glad, that i don't have enough money to folllow this voices^^

Greetings Jazznow

Thanks Jazz for the kind words and my first reply on leatherworker.net. Good point on the edge/studs comment, the sheath is wider than the blade itself,

so hopefully it'll just hang in there and not have too much contact with the studs.

I'm right there with ya, not much funds here either, I've been just adding a tool or some supplies 1 at a time when I can.

I'm trying very hard to just attain what I need to learn and not get bogged down in what I think I need.

Have A Great Day! :-)

[builderofstuff]

I think you did a fantastic job. Much better than my first project.

Chris

[soulcarve]

I think you did a fantastic job. Much better than my first project.

Chris

Thanks Chris.

[jazzdude1200]

Great Job, I have a machete that I need to make a sheath for, this is great inspiration, job well done!!!!!!!!

[soulcarve]

Great Job, I have a machete that I need to make a sheath for, this is great inspiration, job well done!!!!!!!!

Excellent, thanks for the compliment -- it's sort of raw I know, but I am a bit proud of it.

I just couldn't justify paying for a sheath since the blade only cost me $7.

I'll keep a lookout for photos of your machete sheath :-).

[jazzdude1200]

thanks, I have to replace the wooden handles, so it is on the back burner for now, I'll be looking for more of your projects, keep up the good work!!!!!