Horizontal Knife Sheath Retention

[krominix]

Hi guys! Hope all is well today!

I'd consider myself decently advanced in leather work, but I have zero experience in sheath making. This will be the first attempt at making a sheath. I'd like to make a horizontal sheath for the knife in the photo but I am uncertain of the retention. I would rather not have a snap holding the handle in for quick access in and out. Is this possible or is the snap necessary? Should I wet mold? Is wet molding necessary?

[stu925]

If you don't want a snap then wet molding will be a necessity for retention (at least if you're planning a bushcraft style sheath). You might be able to get away with a button stud if you're not looking for a wet molded bushcraft style sheath. Take a look at some of the old Puma knife sheaths for ideas using the button stud.

Stu

[chiefjason]

The problem with that blade might also be the solution. Any sheath you make has to be open enough to allow the widest parts of the knife to pass. Which means the blade in this case. With most sheaths I have made without straps the blade has been about as wide as the handle. In your case the blade is wider. So you will have to accommodate that with an opening that is wider than the handle. That means you sacrifice some retention on the handle. But that blade looks wide and thick, so that might be enough to offset the lack of handle retention.

If it were me I would start by trying to run the sheath about half way up the handle. Past the bump. If you cover the handle you can get away without using a strap. You sacrifice some accessibility for stability. Another thought is to make it so the knife rides blade up. That way the sheath is working with gravity, handle is resting on sheath. Instead of against gravity, handle wants to ride down into the open space for the blade.

Hope all that makes sense.

[dikman]

When I saw that blade shape I thought "hmmm". I agree with chiefjason, without a snap/retaining strap the only way I can see is to make a pouch-type sheath that extends part-way up the handle (at least to the "bump", if not a bit further). You would certainly have to wet mold it, but that way you might be able to introduce a bit of a restriction at the thick part of the handle to provide a bit of holding pressure.

[Red Bear Haraldsson]

Or, a tension screw. Thick side of the blade, at the point where the handle meets the blade. That way the entire handle can be exposed.

[chiefjason]

And onto the crazy idea. Rare earth magnets embedded into the sheath to hold the blade. You could use a decorative piece of leather to hide the magnets and counter sink them so they don't show as much. Guys are already doing it with kydex for sure, probably some out there doing it with leather.

Edited March 8, 2016 by chiefjason

[malabar]

There's another way to do it.

Line the holster with thin kydex. Bring the kydex all the way up so that it extends past the heel of the blade toward the handle. Let it come 3/16" past the heel. Then mold it so that the layers pinch together. That will give you a positive "click" when the blade is fully seated in the sheath

Second solution: Make a narrow strap that goes through the back of the sheath. Close it with a snap and adjust it so that when you reach behind and grasp the handle, the snap is directly under your thumb.

[Martyn]

I'd like to make a horizontal sheath for the knife in the photo

Horizontal at the back, scout style? Or across the belly, pig hunter style?

I would rather not have a snap holding the handle in for quick access in and out.

I'm actually a bit confused. You can make it however pleases you, obviously, but the knife doesnt look like a fighter or a pig-sticker, so I'm wondering of the benefit of horizontal carry and quick draw?

[Red Bear Haraldsson]

And onto the crazy idea. Rare earth magnets embedded into the sheath to hold the blade. You could use a decorative piece of leather to hide the magnets and counter sink them so they don't show as much. Guys are already doing it with kydex for sure, probably some out there doing it with leather.

Oooh! I like that one! I like that idea a lot better than my retention screw (which was my plan for my knife, originally).

Thanks Chief!!

[chiefjason]

Just passing along a buddies good ideas on that one. I have not tried it yet, but I want too.

[Billmc]

I personally like to wet mold and waterproof my sheaths for knives like this. The beeswax treatment for waterproofing just helps keep the wet molded shape stable of a long time. Bring the leather edge just past the ricasso and clamp this to about half the blade thickness during molding. This will keep the knife fairly secure until you want it. I was looking for a picture of one of my larger hunting knives I made with a sheath very similar to what I think you are looking for, but could not find it. I did include a picture of some fishing knives and sheaths I made that are close to what I think you are looking for. Good luck with the project.

Bill

[plinkercases]

Personally when I have made sheaths that require retention without straps I run up past the bolster/guard and mold around it all. Yup less handle exposed for a "combat groip" however with practice you can still increase you grip as the handle clears the leather. The owner is a real bush guy and these are used not displayed and he has provided no negative feedback on this approach. I don't always go this far up but that was based on the owners request.

 

Edited May 5, 2016 by plinkercases

[snubbyfan]

I made a sheath for a similar knife. It's not horizontal but it does give good retention even without securing the strap.

 

It's also a friction fit.

[plinkercases]

Snubby that's a  nice sheath.. I also want to see the front of your devil/skull horn handled mug on you bench.

[snubbyfan]

Here ya go.

 

I'm polishing my boots for a Mama visit tomorrow.

Mothers notice.

[plinkercases]

You are a good son Snubby. And mice mug there for sure.