Sheath Construction Questions

[benlilly1]

My brother in law asked me to replicate this nylon sheath into leather. I told him I know nothing about knives or sheaths but I would try. He wants to keep the pocket also. One question is weight of leather and type of leather to use and what will protect the stitching with him pulling the knife in and out of the sheath? Being that the original is flexible what problems will I have making a leather sheath? The size is roughly 16"L x 3 1/2" wide. Thanks all

[camano ridge]

That style is frequently called Bushcraft style sheath. To protect the stitching put in a welt. A welt is a strip of leather that goes betwen the front and back panels of the sheath.

[benlilly1]

Thanks for clarifying that it's Bushcraft style. Good idea on the welt! 8-9oz. leather for the base? What is the preferred leather? Thanks

That style is frequently called Bushcraft style sheath. To protect the stitching put in a welt. A welt is a strip of leather that goes betwen the front and back panels of the sheath.

[camano ridge]

I use 8-9oz veg tan on most of my sheaths. Here is a good video on making sheaths it is not the exact type you are making but you will get the basics you need https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbIvs4PWHAA

[benlilly1]

Thanks for the video!!

[TacticallySharp]

I use 4-5 oz for the pockets on my sheaths. It's easier to form and for the pocket only works very well with the 8 oz sheath.

[chiefjason]

I make my welt about twice as wide as my stitch groover. That gives you some wiggle room for trimming the edges if you get a bit off while glueing. And plenty of protection for the thread. I use 8-9, but usually the thinner spots that I don't use for holsters. So maybe more toward 7-8. To get my pattern I trace out the part of the knife that will be in the sheath. Then add the welt thickness to that pattern and adjust if needed. If the knife does not have much of a bolster you could cover the handle about half way up. You don't get a full grip, but you do away with the snap and strap. You may need to add another partial welt to accommodate the handle thickness.

[snubbyfan]

After staring at the knife for a while, I make a mock up of the sheath out of construction paper. Including the welt.

After the customer approves the design, then the fun starts. I use 8 to 9 ounce vegetable tanned leather.

If there are any stitches on the inside of the sheath, like for a belt loop, be sure to use your stitch groover and recess the stitches so they don't get caught and possibly cut by the knife. The welt serves to protect the perimeter stitches.

These are stacked leather sheaths ordered by a Cherokee customer that wanted me to "Indian them up" a little.

This one's a fold over for a Bowie knife.

Backside showing how the belt loop's stitched.

Lookin' forward to seein' what ya come up with.