DJole Report post Posted October 2, 2018 I have always wanted a laced sword scabbard, but the amount of work (and wood working experience) required to create a scabbard is daunting. I have a sword, but it already has a scabbard, so what to do? Finally, I got a brainstorm -- I'll just make a sleeve which goes AROUND the existing scabbard, and that'll do the trick! So here's the original tooled design, a key-work panel on the sleeve, with Fiebing HiLighter (modified slightly from the original design, taken from a church in Wales): Geometrics are a pain...but to get it right, go SLOWLY with the swivel knife, and use a straight edge wherever possible. Here's a mock-up of what it will look like, when all done: All that intricate lacing...it's painstaking work -- you can't really cut the slits until you have the belt strips ready to mock it up. The triangular piece to the bottom of the picture is a type of "buckle." The other strap (top center) will end in two strips, which will tie through the holes in the "buckle." It's period -- some medieval art features scabbards done that way. I also decided to cut a 'window' in the wide middle strap to hide less of the nice tooling. Here's the back -- I'm using a baseball stitch to butt-stitch the pieces together, using flat lacing. I'd forgotten how tedious lacing can be; you really have to pay attention to avoid twisting the lace, or getting the pattern wrong (only had to undo two stitches so far!) Here you can see the interlaced straps, linked through each other. I didn't realize it, but the baseball stitching doesn't close the edges as closely as other stitches, so I think the hanger might be a bit loose on the scabbard itself. However, I can glue a 'shim' of thin leather inside the hanger sleeve, and that should snug it right down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rockoboy Report post Posted October 2, 2018 Inventive way to solve a problem, and a very nice job. I like it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted October 3, 2018 Completed it today. Here are all the straps, sewn and mounted: I have the ties installed -- it kind of looks like a squid here. I modified the design somewhat --instead of just splitting the strap in two, I put on a piece of veg-tan and split that instead. And instead of two, I decided that using four strips made for a stronger bond, and a better looking knot. So I wrapped the ends together with wire, not only to lock them together but as a bit of decoration. I made a flat knot where the scabbard straps cross (bottom left) which looks nice and neat. And here's what it looks like all tied up, hanging from a chair back. I am satisfied with it...I got to practice more leather skills and end up with something I've wanted for a long time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted October 3, 2018 Really cool, way to make it work with existing materials man! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted October 3, 2018 That is cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScoobyNewbie Report post Posted October 3, 2018 Gorgeous! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DV8DUG Report post Posted October 19, 2018 Yeah those historically correct baldric/frog connections to swords just shows you what can be done by true craftsmen of the old world. Nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonlrussell Report post Posted October 5, 2021 This is very cool! I've been thinking I want to make a new scabbard and 13th(-ish) century belt for my sword. I really don't like the scabbard it came with. I at least made a frog for it last year and liked being able to remove the scabbard for sitting and really wanted to find a way to blend the two like you've done. Now if I'll just finish the belt pouch I started maybe I'll be able to get to that. Assuming of course I can find the time to make the scabbard.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted October 5, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, jonlrussell said: This is very cool! I've been thinking I want to make a new scabbard and 13th(-ish) century belt for my sword. I really don't like the scabbard it came with. I at least made a frog for it last year and liked being able to remove the scabbard for sitting and really wanted to find a way to blend the two like you've done. Now if I'll just finish the belt pouch I started maybe I'll be able to get to that. Assuming of course I can find the time to make the scabbard.... To help you on your way, here are the websites I used for reference: Leather Wrap a Scabbard Core. These are illustrated step-by-step guides (pdf format) posted on Sword Buyer's Guide, using routers and other tools, explaining carefully how to do it. Ye Olde Gaffer's web page (http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/project_scabbard.asp), Long video--> < And a single picture for reference: http://djole.altervista.org/djole/Publications/Leather/A/Arming Scabbard hanger/York Minster Hanger.jpg Edited October 5, 2021 by DJole missing link Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonlrussell Report post Posted October 6, 2021 Those are excellent resources, thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonlrussell Report post Posted October 19, 2021 (edited) On 10/5/2021 at 3:29 PM, DJole said: To help you on your way, here are the websites I used for reference: How did you determine the lengths you needed to do the two sections of the belt? More specifically I guess, how long to cut the sections for the lacing. Edited October 19, 2021 by jonlrussell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted October 19, 2021 2 hours ago, jonlrussell said: How did you determine the lengths you needed to do the two sections of the belt? More specifically I guess, how long to cut the sections for the lacing. I just saw that the Ye Olde Gaffer's website has vanished into internet ether... But the Wayback machine has it available : https://web.archive.org/web/20200731202515/http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/project_scabbard.asp I followed his recommendation: I used a cloth measuring tape and wrapped it around the scabbard in the same pattern as the lacing would be. This gave me a baseline length, but I cut it longer and after actually doing the lacing, I trimmed off the excess leather. I didn't have to trim too much. If you don't have a cloth measuring tape, you can use a length of string instead. And remember -- some of the straps require a slit so that another section of the strap can go through it --- don't cut those slits in advance! Cut them as you are lacing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted October 19, 2021 I also made a modification on the the "buckle" end. The original has three decorative domed rivets: http://djole.altervista.org/djole/Publications/Leather/A/Arming Scabbard hanger/Hanger 1.jpg But they didn't hold up to the strain, so I replaced them with the copper "burr and washer" rivets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonlrussell Report post Posted October 19, 2021 Awesome, thanks. I always forget about trying the wayback machine for sites that won't load. Good info there. Also good to know about the "buckle". I had wondered if the rivets would be a problem, but figured you'd have mentioned it if they had been. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
