Knife-Making Tutorial - The Sheath

At a glance..

This tutorial explains in detail how to make a sheath.

The details..

In Knife Making Tutorial [Part 2, The Sheath], James provides readers with an in-depth guide on how to create a custom-made sheath for their knives. This article is part of a series that began with Part One which explained how to make a simple yet efficient knife. In order to ensure your knife stays safe while not in use, it's important to have a well-crafted protective covering like the one described here.

The author begins by outlining all of the materials needed for this project including leather (preferably German half-tanned), stitches spacing roulette wheel, neoprene glue (optional), leather dye, wax, thread (synthetic waxed sinew thread recommended), wood chisels and gouges as well as other tools such as blunt leather needles and pliers.

Next comes creating the wooden insert which involves marking out space for the blade before grooving two parts using tools such as Dremmel or sculptor gouges. Mahogany from flooring plinths is suggested due its easy-to-shape nature but strength when used properly.

Finally we get into actual creation of the sheath itself where you will learn about drawing out dimensions on reverse side of chosen piece(s) of leather; cutting them accordingly; preparing belt loops via folding flaps or bands looped into slits; stitching everything together using saddle point stitch method along double rounds for added strength plus adding patches inside protect against wear-and-tear.