I tend to stay away from making knife sheaths for people but have made two recently, shipping one out today. It might be easy for some people to make them but I actually find them harder than holsters. Getting them right involves lots of intricate manuevers that I don't encounter when making holsters. Here's the basketweave sheath I just finished and below a floral two tone version. They are fun to figure out, but pretty cost prohibitive if I was to dwell on the time involved. For me, anyway. But I enjoy doing it once in a while just to challenge myself.

Hey Wyatt I like those knife sheaths. You done yourself proud. Don

__________________
"Don't worry be happy"

What about them is more difficult than a holster?

Is it related to the size being smaller? The fitting? Seems that for security it'd have to be pretty tight, but too tight and you'd cut up the holster.

I like the sheaths--much more secure looking than the originals. Those that only cover the blade look like a good way to lose a knife.

You sure do nice work.

very nice work

I end up making a sheath from time to time mainly because finding one that fits a custom knife is difficult.



My Rifleman's knife is riding in a plain, utilitarian belt sheath. The hold down strap is not sewn or riveted in, it is adjustable as it is one piece done with an Indian braid on the back.

For extra credit, can anyone spot the FAA PMA approved aircraft part used in the construction?

I went the other way. I seldom do holsters anymore and specialize in knife sheathes.
I'm not doing much at the moment due eye problems. And I don't have a lot of pics of my work.
I envy your carving skills. Was never much good at that myself.

__________________
Field Researcher. IGC

I've made a million of them....well, it sure feels that way. They are cost prohibitive doing "one up's" if you have to design the template and a seam welt, which prevents the sharpened edge of the blade from contacting the stitching. The only way sheath making is profitable, is if your crafting volume for a manufacturer. Otherwise, the time and labor that is devoted to individual custom knife sheath orders, is as much as or more than most custom holsters, which realize a far larger profit margin for the same time and labor. Some serious custom knife collectors will pay premium fees for a quality sheath, but that is an exception.

Probably the last 10 or so fixed blade knives I've bought, had the crappiest quality sheath's imagineable. These were not cheap knives and most were gifts for friends and relatives. I replaced each sheath with one of my own, which also sort of made the gift a little more special. Most mass produced sheaths today are simply awful, especially the stuff from India and Pakistan. Chinese and Taiwanese manufactured sheaths, no better.

Just my .02

Cheers;
Lefty

I'm new here and just noticed this. One of my passions is blacksmithing/bladesmithing. Also I help moderate a knife forum. My sheaths tend to be simple usually cross draws on small hunting knives.





I forge from high corbon steel and use alot of old rusty springs for character. I'll keep it short so I don't wear out my welcome...tippit

I seem to occasionally have a problem making them tight around the blade, even with the thinnest of a welt. The types picturesd swallow up the knife so the thick handle holds them in, especially the guardless bottom knife. And sometimes on other styles there's a catch22 where you have to stitch one part, but only after stitching a different part first, yet you can't stitch that part until you do the other. Confusing I know, but it's a weird phonomenon I've found when making these.
AND, TIPPET. No worn out welcomes here. you make great stuff.

Is that knife in the basket weave sheath a Weske?

I don't remember. I just know I really liked it. It's on it's way to the owner now. I liked the retro synthetic handle that is old enough to have aquired it's own patina. The front of the guard is shorter than the back and rests in a punched whole in front otf the sheath. That made it fit better.

Weske made knives in Sandusky, Ohio in the late 1940's and he seemed to like a Bakelite center piece on his handles. Another typical feature was a leather washer in front of the guard, though I never figured out what that was for. Most collectors familiar with his knives believe he bought his blade blanks from Case. I tend to collect Ohio made knives is why it caught my eye. Most of his knives simply had his name and town etched on the blade, which was easily lost by aging.

I would think making a holster would be more difficult. I have made a few knife and axe sheaths-very basic, if not primitive, for RevWar and 18th-19th Century reeanacting. Strictly utility grade of course.

Some I'm working on.