Simple Foldover Sheath

[Dennis Morland]

A while ago a couple of forum members were asking about stitching and how I constructed my stitches. Lately I have been braiding all the edges of my sheaths. But not today. I am going to be making a simple fold over sheath (taco sheath) and it will be stitched. So I will make a WIP to show everyone how I make a simple sheath.

If anyone has a comment, question, suggestion, critique, recipe, just post it up. I learn more than I teach with these WIPs. But, I need your assistance to do so.

Disclaimer: I do not pretend to be very knowledgeable about leather and sheath building. This thread will merely show how I build this sheath. Others may build them differently and that is just fine with me. Any and all tips are welcome. We can all learn something, sometimes.

 

[Bruce McLeish]

A while ago a couple of forum members were asking about stitching and how I constructed my stitches. Lately I have been braiding all the edges of my sheaths. But not today. I am going to be making a simple fold over sheath (taco sheath) and it will be stitched. So I will make a WIP to show everyone how I make a simple sheath.

If anyone has a comment, question, suggestion, critique, recipe, just post it up. I learn more than I teach with these WIPs. But, I need your assistance to do so.

Disclaimer: I do not pretend to be very knowledgeable about leather and sheath building. This thread will merely show how I build this sheath. Others may build them differently and that is just fine with me. Any and all tips are welcome. We can all learn something, sometimes.

I'm ready. For my kith , I can't think of anything more appropriate than a taco sheath for a bbq ing Texan!

 

[Dennis Morland]

Everyone starts somewhere. I have built a sheath for every knife that I have made and maybe a few extras. This is No. 1.

I finished it almost 10 years ago. Wow, I am old. I wish I would have started earlier in my life. I start at age 46. I am almost 56. Crazy!!

Practice makes perfect, I needed more practice. And a bunch more tools. And some great tips/guidance.

 

[Dennis Morland]

This will be the knife that goes into n the sheath. It is not quite finished. It is getting there. I like to have the sheath finished by the time the knife is sharpened. Should just about work out.

 

[Dennis Morland]

Every sheath starts with a basic plan. I like to also have a theme. The knife is black/gold. So the theme will be black/gold. I think they are the colors of the US Army. Perhaps a veteran can confirm that for me. I sure hope so, or I have already screwed up.

I use old soda/beer cardboard containers for my patterns. Cheap, abundant, and easily recycled.

 

[Dennis Morland]

On the cardboard side, I draw the knife.

I then draw a line about 3/8 inch from the edge. I fold the cardboard on that line.

I then draw a line about 5/8 inch from the blade edge and bottom of the handle.

 

[Greg Rice]

Man - I dig the pin placement and sizing on that handle - really looks good sir. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of leatherwork, you are quite talented.

 

[Dennis Morland]

I like my sheaths to be longer than most. My reasoning is to protect the handle as far up as possible. So I draw the line at the back of the knife.

 

[Dennis Morland]

Now, cut on the line. Don’t eat the paste...

 

[Dennis Morland]

Check the pattern for fit. This is a bit tight so when I transfer it to the leather, I will widen it a touch.

 

[Dennis Morland]

Man - I dig the pin placement and sizing on that handle - really looks good sir. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of leatherwork, you are quite talented.

Thanks for following along. Feel free to ask questions.

 

[Dennis Morland]

I'm ready. For my kith , I can't think of anything more appropriate than a taco sheath for a bbq ing Texan!

This build along should be able to be modified for about any shape of a knife. Stay tuned!

 

[Dennis Morland]

I have a smaller piece cutoff of 5-6 oz leather. Should just about work for this sheath.

It does have a small weak spot on the flesh side. I will try to cut it out or place it somewhere that it will not bother the functionality of the sheath.

 

[Dennis Morland]

That is all the pictures I have so far. Back to work on the sheath.

 

[Dennis Morland]

This is an adjustable strap cutter. It cuts leather straps. I set it a 3/4 if an inch for the belt loop.

I am not sure you can see it but it has a razor cutting blade in the outward arm.

Just set the leather against the guard and draw it through the razor cutting blade.

You get a nice straight cut strap/belt.

If you do not have a strap cutter you can use a straight edge/ruler and a sharp blade.

 

[Dennis Morland]

Mark out the sheath body. I call it the shield. I could not get rid of the weak spot so I put it at the bottom of the sheath. It will not be a problem, I hope.

 

[Dennis Morland]

I use a game shears to cut leather. Shield and welt. The belt loop was cut earlier with the strap cutter.

 

[Dennis Morland]

Make sure the knife fits.

This should work.

 

[Sean Jones]

Following along. My sheaths could definitely use improvement (the few I've made)
Thanks for doing this Dennis. It's much appreciated.

 

[Dennis Morland]

1 inch round end punch both ends of the belt loop. Line it up and strike it with a mallet.

Nice clean cuts.