Cross Draw Sheath

[thefanninator]

Hermann Oak 8/9 oz., neatsfoot oil, Fiebing chocolate & finished with Tan Kote, 7 spi.

What do you sheath makers usually use? I think 8/9 may be a little thick.

Edited March 22, 2015 by thefanninator

[camano ridge]

8/9 is what I use on most of my sheaths. For bigger knives I may use even a little heavier.

[Instinctive]

Really good looking sheath. Stitching is really nice. Can you show us the back side? How are you doing your stitching holes?

I'm using 6/7 oz with a 9 oz welt for a typical hunting knife. It find it allows a bit of the handle profile to show through which is a look I like. You can see the look a little further down this forum "Knife Sheath: Scrap Bin Project #4".

[thefanninator]

Backside is a little rough because the layers are so thick. I use different tools and techniques for different things. Usually I use a stitching groover, make a groove and then use a Tandy diamond chisel, punch all the way through and stitch with Tandy poly braided cord.

But on this one I wanted more SPI and a finer thread. I used a screw creaser to make a line, marked my stitches with my Vergez 7 tpi pricking iron, punched it pretty hard to get it in deep. The used an awl and stitched with Crawford 3 cord linen thread from Royalwood. I think my awl needs sharpening because pushing it through all those layers was tough.

[Peter Darby]

6/7 to 8/9 leather for most knives. If you want thinner edges you can skive down the edges, including the welt. If I am hand sewing thick leather I keep a cake of beeswax handy and prick it with the awl before punching through. It really helps get through thick leather.

[MonicaJacobson]

Cool sheath, Chris!

[Basically Bob]

Nice work!

[thefanninator]

Thanks everyone!

[ChiefFilipino]

Nicely done, the stitching is impressive on the front.

[malabar]

It depends on the sheath. If I'm doing bushcraft-type sheaths, then I use horsehide, which is typically bout 8-9 ounce. If I'm doing something with inlays, or with metal fasteners, I split the leather down to 4 ounce or so, and use multiple layers.

tk