Introduction
To preserve the life of your knife, a well-fitted sheath is important. Rather than relying on generic store-bought options, you can make your own using readily available materials like plastic, nylon, or leather.
With basic tools and following detailed instructions, you can ensure your knife stays secure and protected for years to come. We will focus on making a leather sheath. If you just completed a knife making course and want to protect your knife, this article is just for you.
Why Should I Choose Leather For My Knife Sheath?
Leather stands out as the top choice for sheaths. It is prized for its timeless durability and strength. Its quality gives you a strong yet good-looking structure.
This gives you protection for your blade. Unlike plastic or nylon, leather boasts a quietness that is favoured even by the military. Remember, leather needs care; exposure to rain and sunlight can wear it down over time.
How Do I Make A Leather Sheath?
Leather stands as the first choice for safeguarding and transporting your prized knives. Yet, there is an undeniable satisfaction in crafting your sheath rather than purchasing one outright.
There is a sense of achievement in creating a leather knife sheath from scratch. It reminds you of bushcraft—transforming raw materials into essential tools for survival.
While crafting a leather knife sheath demands patience and precision, it will be worth the time and effort. Each step, from selecting the leather to stitching it together, will make you feel a sense of accomplishment.
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Prepping First
Before jumping into making your leather knife sheath, there are a few important preparations to be sure of success:
- Clip your fingernails. Leather marks easily, so it is best to work with freshly trimmed nails.
- Wash your hands regularly. Leather can quickly absorb dirt and grease, so keep your hands clean.
- Use good lighting. Detailed craftsmanship needs bright overhead and gooseneck lighting. A flexible lamp can help you see the finer details when cutting or stitching.
Next, choose the type of leather for your sheath. Typically, you will decide between chrome-tanned leather and vegetable-tanned leather.
- Chrome-tanned leather is an economical option. It is treated with chemicals, acids, and salts, making it water-resistant, durable, and flexible. The tanning process only takes a few days.
- Vegetable-tanned leather comprises about 10% of all tanned leather. It uses natural vegetable tannins to alter the protein structures of the hide, preserving, strengthening, and colouring the leather.
After selecting the type of leather, decide on the weight you require.
- Lightweights. Ideal for wallets, watch bands, bookmarks, and light upholstery
- Medium weights. Suitable for thick pouches, keychains, knife sheaths, and small purses
- Heavyweights. Great for shoes, knife sheaths, book covers, pet collars, and armour
- Extra-heavy. Best for heavy knife sheaths, thick bags and purses, holsters, and saddles
Tools And Materials
Every how-to guide might overwhelm you with a long list of supplies, but let us keep it simple. Here is what you need for your workspace:
The knife you are creating the sheath for
- Leather pieces
- Rotary cutter or X-Acto knife
- Pencil
- Waxed thread
- Leather-stitching needles
- Pie pan of water
- Spring clips
- Neatsfoot oil
- Masking tape
- Dish towel
- Card stock, cardboard, or graph paper
- Scissors
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Leather punch or awl
With these tools and materials, you will be well stocked to start crafting your leather knife sheath.
The Process
Step 1 Design Your Sheath Pattern
Begin by designing and tracing your sheath pattern on a piece of cardboard, or graph paper. You can also place graph paper over the cardboard.
Draw a line down the centre from top to bottom to divide the piece in half. This line represents the fold of the leather knife sheath.
Position and trace your knife to the left of the centreline. Place the top of the blade 0.3175 cm from the centreline, with the sharp edge facing outward.
Step 2: Trace The Sheath Pattern
Using a pencil, trace around the knife, starting approximately 0.3175 cm from the tip of the blade. Follow the blade’s curve, drawing a line around the sharp end of the knife.
Continue with a curved line ⅔ of the way up the handle. Do not trace directly along the handle, as it is thicker than the blade and will need extra material to wrap it.
Step 3: Measure And Trace The Welt Pattern
Next, measure and draw the welt. The welt is the extra protective material on the sharp side of the blade, preventing it from cutting through the sheath.
Create a second curved line away from the first curved line.
Step 4: Cut Your Sheath And Welt Pattern
Fold the paper along the original centreline you drew. Unfold the paper and cut out the left side of the design, stopping at the centreline. Cut along the edges of the sheath pattern.
Create the welt pattern from the original. The space between the two curved lines on the original pattern represents the space for the welt. Cut along the inner line of the original markings and about 0.635 cm beyond the centreline.
Using a rotary cutter or an X-Acto knife, cut the traced lines on the leather. Be sure to stop at tight corners where the sheath meets the belt loop and use your X-Acto knife for better accuracy.
Step 5: Transfer The Pattern Onto The Leather
Place the leather on the work table with the soft side of the sheath facing up. This side is easier to draw on when tracing.
Decide whether you’ll wear the sheath on the right or left side of your belt. Turn the pattern so the belt loop is on your preferred side.
Secure the pattern onto the leather with masking tape. Lightly pencil the pattern onto the leather, directly over the masking tape.
Use your X-Acto knife to cut out the pattern.
Step 6: Mould And Form The Leather
One of the most interesting parts of the process is moulding the leather. You will need a dish towel, a pan of hot tap water, and spring clips.
Place the leather sheath in hot water for a few minutes until it changes colour and bubbles slightly.
Put the leather on the dish towel, fold the towel over, and push and pat it down to dry, letting any excess water drain out.
Put the knife on the leather and fold it over to form the right shape. Use your fingers to mould it tightly around the knife handle. Set it aside to dry.
Step 7: Attach The Belt Loop
Attach the belt loop before stitching the sheath. Fold the belt loop to the desired size and trim if necessary, ensuring it fastens just below the top of the sheath.
Use a leather punch or awl to make a row of holes on the ends of the belt loop and the top of the sheath. Trim the excess leather off the end of the strap.
Stitch the loop using your needle and thread. Tie off the thread after three visible stitches and cut it close to the knot.
Step 8: Stitch The Welt Pattern
Punch a hole at the bottom of the sheath along the centreline. Place the welt on the leather and secure it with masking tape.
Step 9: Trim And Stitch The Sheath
Using a rotary cutter or leather gouge, cut a groove along the edges of the sheath seam. You can do this freehand or use a guide.
Mark your stitching with six holes per inch using a rowel tool or freehand with a guide for accuracy.
Poke holes on the top side of the sheath, then lift the top layer and do the same to the bottom layer.
Step 10: Insert The Knife For Fitting
The ultimate test is to see if your knife fits securely in the sheath. It should be snug at first, as the sheath will loosen over time.
Add finishing touches like dying the leather and fixing any seams needing extra attention.
Buff the leather and oil it. The oil will lubricate the leather, allowing it to flex and move without cracking over time.
Creating your own leather knife sheath is a great way to complement your knife making skills. By designing, cutting, moulding, and stitching the leather, you have crafted a functional and personalised accessory that protects your knife and showcases your craftsmanship.
Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing your sheath is a perfect fit for your knife. With each project, your skills will improve, leading to even more impressive results. Congratulations on your accomplishments, and happy crafting!
People Also Ask
Is it hard to make a leather sheath?
While it requires some time and effort, this guide will get you started. There are two basic types of knife sheaths: the fold-over sheath (or pouch sheath) and others you can explore.
What are the parts of a leather knife sheath?
A knife scabbard typically includes the baseplate, front part, closure strap, and belt loop, but you can also craft the entire sheath from a single piece of leather.
Should you oil a leather sheath?
It is important to soften the leather sheath to keep its shine and flexibility. The oil prevents cracks or tears. But, do not use too much oil. It can oversaturate the leather.
Do knife sheaths dull knives?
The biggest drawback is that these sheaths can dull the knife’s edge. Pulling the knife out and pushing it back in rubs the edge against the material. Over time, you may need to touch up the blade more often.
Why do you rub a knife on leather?
Polishing the edge of a sharp knife is called stropping. This is usually done on a leather strap placed on a hard surface. Stropping removes the final imperfections of the cut, resulting in even greater sharpness.
Author: Janice van der Westhuizen