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Making a sheath (Read 1214 times)
Pikåru
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #15 - May 21st, 2012, 11:07am
 
There's a couple ways to limit the wabble, depends how your finished product is constructed. A simple way is to, on the backside of the sheath, the part that will typically be next to your body, place a small piece of wet, not dripping sponge, about the size of a nickle. Place the wet sponge  near but not at the top of your sheath. What you're trying to achieve is a localized area of softened rawhide. You just need it soft enough in one area to start off with.  
When this area is soft, may only take thirty or more minutes, use something hard and rounded about the size of a pencil and work in a depression into that softend spot of rawhide. You're trying to make an indentation on the sheath. Once you have an indent then place something like a marble in that spot and lightly wrap it to keep it in place and maintain the shape of your depression. I usually use an Ace bandage or other elastic-type wrap, rubber bands.  
Looking inside the sheath you should see that area where the marble or other object is pushing into the sheath. This is making a pinch point to hold the blade. Let it dry without the blade in the sheath. Be careful not to wrap your sheath too tight. This will give you a small area that will better grip your blade and keep it from rattling inside the sheath which can be very annoying. Another way is to use a small tab of thin leather inside the opening of the sheath. This will grip your blade as well. You can use both methods. Tightening up the sheath as I described can be done and it won't alter the look of your sheath.  
I don't know how your sheath was made otherwise I could give you additional suggestions or more information on how to place a tab at the opening and top of your sheath, maybe even adding a differnt and very cool look to it.
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #16 - May 21st, 2012, 1:39pm
 
Lovely looking knife.
 
The kind of knife that would inspire fear in a knife fight.
 
Lovely. Any bigger,better pics of it???
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benkolmer
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #17 - May 22nd, 2012, 11:20am
 
Thanks for the advice, Pikaru.
I don't have it with me now (sheath knives are forbidden at Scout camps) but I'll be home this weekend and will try to pinch point method.  
Greenman, when I'm home, I'll take a picture of the knife and the sheath.
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benkolmer
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #18 - Jun 3rd, 2012, 10:51am
 
Here are pictures, finally! It still needs to be touched up a bit, but for a first effort ever making a sheath or working with rawhide, I am very pleased.
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benkolmer
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #19 - Jun 3rd, 2012, 10:52am
 
Backside of the sheath
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #20 - Jun 3rd, 2012, 10:52am
 
The blade
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Dan
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #21 - Jun 4th, 2012, 8:20am
 
Looks great bro! Good to hear from you again, Not sure if you heard, the writing deadline for The Guide is August 19th.
 
Good looking sheath, I'm sure it will serve you well. A little leather dye would make it look even better IMO.
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benkolmer
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #22 - Jun 4th, 2012, 8:44am
 
Yep, I saw that post. My section is about half done. My only time to work on it are a few hours on Saturday evening if nothing else is going on.
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Dan
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #23 - Jun 4th, 2012, 8:47am
 
Great, thanks! I set it up so you'd have some time if you needed it after your internship. But if you have it earlier that's even better.
 
Looking forward to it!
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1 Samuel 14:7

"Like tying a stone to a sling is the giving of honor to a fool" Proverbs 26:8

SALVATION: By Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone.
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Pikåru
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #24 - Jun 4th, 2012, 11:02am
 
If you take a piece of flat glass, the non-tempered kind windows used to be made from, lay it flat against your sewn edge you can use the edge of the glass as a plane to shave the edge of your sheath and even out the ends very nice. You have to use glass, avoid trying to use a blade or some other tool because it won't be even and you run the risk of cutting too much off.  
 
Rawhide split like you have there won't dye the same as oak or chrome tanned leather because the fiber is very tight but you may like how it turns out. If you're going to try dying it, try it on a scrap piece first because once the color is on and if you hate it you won't be able to do much to change it.  
If you don't have solvent-based dye, because leather is still just a tight organic fiber, you can use just about anything, wine, shoe polish, a Sharpie, dirt, etc. but again, rawhide doesn't usually color that well.  
You know, with use your sheath will stain and change color all on its own, adding to the character of your piece. I would only suggest you leave it to do so on its own as the look will only continue to improve.  
 
Nice job on your first custom sheath. Your work is clean.
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benkolmer
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #25 - Jun 4th, 2012, 1:41pm
 
Thanks for the complements and the advice! I think I will just let nature take its course. After all, that's the whole point of natural materials and hand crafted things IMO
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Pikåru
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Re: Making a sheath
Reply #26 - Jun 4th, 2012, 2:03pm
 
You're right. It is.
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