Most Common Sizes For Folding Knives?

[Skald]

I wonder if anyone knows about the most common measurements of folding knives? I have some several myself, and most of them are quite the same size (Buck, Böker, Magnum, Gerber and so forth), of course some are quite a bit more bulky, and some are of course notably smaller. But, are there some length/width etc. values that are most common? What makes me ask is because I want to make some leather sheaths for folders, but I don't know really what size they should be (maybe three different, that wouldn't hurt). I am quite sure I have seen some leather sheaths for folders around, meant for "just about any knife", and I am also quite sure that I have seen some "kits" for folder sheaths - but of course I can find none of these when I want to have a look at them.

So, does anyone know? Maybe you have got some orders for folder sheaths for knives you are not fully aware of the size of? How did it turn out?

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Hey Skald,

when I was teaching the leather working merit badge at Scout camp we used the basic Tandy folding knife sheath kit. That size covered a lot of the knives carried by the Scouts. I used one for the Swiss Army knife I carried at the time. I rarely wear a belt now, so my Schrade pocketknife resides appropriately in my pocket. I would think that if you covered the basic sizes of knives like the basic multi-bladed Swiss Army models, and the larger single blade knives such as the Buck 110 that you could cover most of what people carry on a daily basis. Of course with this approach there will always be some compromises that will have to be made.

[Skald]

Hey Skald,

when I was teaching the leather working merit badge at Scout camp we used the basic Tandy folding knife sheath kit. That size covered a lot of the knives carried by the Scouts. I used one for the Swiss Army knife I carried at the time. I rarely wear a belt now, so my Schrade pocketknife resides appropriately in my pocket. I would think that if you covered the basic sizes of knives like the basic multi-bladed Swiss Army models, and the larger single blade knives such as the Buck 110 that you could cover most of what people carry on a daily basis. Of course with this approach there will always be some compromises that will have to be made.

Thanks for your words of wisdom. If you look at these for example (that I found yesterday, shortly after creating this thread) http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=41_264_323 you get like two of the measurements, but how "high" is it? I don't know really how to put it, they are like 5 x 1.5 in height and width, but how hmmmm... "high" is the space inside really?

I don't feel really okay with buying some of these and some from Tandy just to find out. But I guess I might have to do it in the end.

[Phatdaddy]

I have a large and small pattern, not sure where the small one is but here is a scan of the large one. it's a pdf and at 100% it's the original size.

largefoldingknife.pdf

I'll look for the small one, but this should get you started.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Gagh, if I could locate it I would measure it for you. As I remember it was just right for the Swiss Army knife model Companion? Basic 2 blade Victornox w/screwdrivers, and awl. Somewhere around .500" high inside dimension. I remember that it fit pretty well, and I would have to push up some from the bottom to grab the top, as it didn't flop around inside the sheath.

[DCKNIVES]

As a knifemaker I can assure you there are No standard sizes, be it for length, thickness or height.They are all over the place,having said that, folders other than most slipjoints generally run between 3" on the small side to about 5"-6" on the large size.Since I am a custom maker,I usually have them send the knife to me, for a good fit. I also usually make open top sheaths so a little either way isn't going to be a problem.I also use a different design which will fit a larger number of knives.Dave

[Skald]

Thank you guys, you are truly the best. And Phatdaddy, thanks a whole bunch!

As a knifemaker I can assure you there are No standard sizes, be it for length, thickness or height.They are all over the place,having said that, folders other than most slipjoints generally run between 3" on the small side to about 5"-6" on the large size.Since I am a custom maker,I usually have them send the knife to me, for a good fit. I also usually make open top sheaths so a little either way isn't going to be a problem.I also use a different design which will fit a larger number of knives.Dave

Yeah, you are right. There are no exact "standard sizes". But I got like 15 or so different folders (most of them, I don't know where! I occasionally find one in a pocket or bag when I least expect it hahaha...). But most of them I got are differing like ½ an inch or a little more or less, and for the thickness, it doesn't differ all too much either. Of course there are these baby size knives too, but no one would probably try to use a larger pouch for them anyway. I guess I'll can try keep searching for other folder pouches out there, and see aprox how large they are. Only problem is, they hardly ever tell us what "thickness" or knives they are good for, i.e. how "high" their pouches are.

I just found an old BlackHawk cordura pouch, which fits most of my folders, so at least I have something to measure.

[Phatdaddy]

Thank you guys, you are truly the best. And Phatdaddy, thanks a whole bunch!

Here is the smaller one that I have. I've made a number of these, they are your standard folding knife sheath and work for me.

smallfoldingknife.pdf

[Skald]

Here is the smaller one that I have. I've made a number of these, they are your standard folding knife sheath and work for me.

smallfoldingknife.pdf

Cool! Thank you, I'll give it a try.

[Stewart]

Tandy's last e-mailer had a free down loadable

instructions for any type of folding knife.

Hope this also helps.

Stewart

FoldingKnifeCase.pdf

Edited June 5, 2011 by Stewart

[TexasLady]

6/17/11

Only yesterday, I was at a large, local, shopping mall, trying to find out the same thing, Skald. I visited a Sports store where they had large hunting knives,... not what I was looking for, and they suggested that I visit a 'knife store' inside that same mall. The thought shared with me there was that 'folding knives' don't need sheaths. This made me a little bit sad, since I had the same idea that you've got. The knife store, down the way, had an amazing variety, but it was there that they told me (like McKnives said) "Knives don't come in Standard Sizes. You just have to custom-make the sheath to fit the knife."

I've put together a cover similar to the one that PhatDaddy sent you, and I love it. However, I'm using it to hold a pair of 5" scissors for now. I did double-loop lacing around the edges, and I cut the lace myself. Though not perfect, I just love carrying it around with me. I use it to show people what I'm 'doing'. Those instructions from Tandy were great. Thanks for sharing that, Stewart. BIGGUNDOCTOR, I've been carrying a Swiss Army Knife for decades, and that's what I'll be making my next sheath for. - Texas Lady