joelpete Report post Posted August 20, 2018 With some scraps from a remnant bag I made this headknife (round knife) sheath. First I carefully traced around the head of the knife on a file folder, then enlarged the pattern with a compass (dividing tool with a pencil on one end). I made the outter sides out of black 8-9oz. smooth and stiff leather, and a skive tapered gusset out of what started out as 5-6oz brown leather. I didn't want to use any metal that may mar my knife, or worse knick my edge, so I decided to use the top edge of the gusset to hold the blade in place. I used contact cement to place my tapered gusset in place, then stitched one leg of the top edge of the gusset to the back side. Next, I place the front side on and stitched the remaining gussetted area through all three layers. Since the gusset is only attached to one side of the front, and both sides of the back, I can slightly squeeze the top points of the sheath together, opening the half-free side and pivot the knife in place. At no point inside the sheath does the knife's edge contact the gusset nor stitching. Joel Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rockoboy Report post Posted August 20, 2018 Very smooth. I like it a lot. How tight is the retention on the knife without a strap to hold it in the sheath? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joelpete Report post Posted August 20, 2018 The two top legs of the gusset rest on the shoulders of the blade and cause I tiny bit of pressure where the knife's bolster meets the sheath. The only "test" I could think of was to hold the handle of the knife and shake the heck out of it. The sheath moved very little laterally, and not at all away from the knife. So, exactly what it should have done, and better than I had hoped. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garypl Report post Posted August 20, 2018 Looks very good! Only caution I would have is to absolutely ensure you have a firm grip on the sheath when inserting or removing the knife. If your finger was to ever slip off the corner while squeezing the sheath with the blade partially inserted and hit the razor edge, bad news! Look forward to seeing your other projects. Gary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joelpete Report post Posted August 20, 2018 Yeah, I don't actually pinch the tips together, I was just trying to explain how it opens. To insert the knife I just hold the side that's completely sewn shut, carefully introduce the first corner and then flex the sheath a little to slowly insert the knife without the sharp edge contacting the gusset, or shaving the inside of the sheath. Believe me, I'm in no hurry to test this blade against my own flesh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rodneywt1180b Report post Posted August 20, 2018 A really elegant and streamlined design. Please let us know how it holds up over time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
