Aces and Eights

[Redmeadow Knives]

I'm about 8,500 sketches into trying to design a sheath. The more I sketch the more convoluted the design gets. Gotta get it clean and simple.

 

[jlauffer]

I'm about 8,500 sketches into trying to design a sheath. The more I sketch the more convoluted the design gets. Gotta get it clean and simple.

Don't know if it helps provide any inspiration, but I have this old Kershaw boot dagger that may be similar in size and "slenderness", and has a pretty basic sheath.

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[Redmeadow Knives]

Nice little dagger John. I'd like to try to have the side against the body extend slightly to cover the guard, a simple bison inlay and a Sam Brown stud for the retention strap. I'm trying to work those three details in without getting things too busy.

 

[jlauffer]

Nice little dagger John. I'd like to try to have the side against the body extend slightly to cover the guard, a simple bison inlay and a Sam Brown stud for the retention strap. I'm trying to work those three details in without getting things too busy.

Swear I saw something like that recently online, but of course now I can't find it again. But whatever you come up with, I'm sure you'll crush it! Should have known I was thinking checkers while you were thinking chess.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

The jist at the moment, so far so good.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

After watching Paul Longs instruction video about 15 times I've got a plan. The inlay is Bison and has a nice pull up texture to it. I'm going to try to put a retention strap that will be a continuous piece from the belt loop.m in the back. The inside will also be lined.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

Leatherwork in progress photos are alway hideous creatures but this gives a good idea of the puffy inlay I'm trying to achieve.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

Front panel is getting there, need to hand stitch the inlay in, install the stud and lining. Then it's onto the back panel, belt loop and retention strap.

This should give a good idea of what the plan is.

 

[Pàdruig]

Front panel is getting there, need to hand stitch the inlay in, install the stud and lining. Then it's onto the back panel, belt loop and retention strap.

This should give a good idea of what the plan is.
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That's looking pretty fine, John. Can't wait to see it stitched up!

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

Machine or hand stitched?

 

[jlauffer]

Machine or hand stitched?

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Hmmm...on the one hand you have a machine, so I'm sure you want to mess around with it any chance you get. But on the other hand I believe this is a "first of kind",' so I'm going with hand stitched.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

I did the inlay by hand but used the sewing machine on the picture above, it's hard to tell. This leather has a pretty firm temper and didn't leave any marks from the walking foot.

I'll be sewing the front and back panels together today, that's is where it can all go to shite, cross your fingers.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

Next to see the panels together, sand the edges and burnish.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

All stitched up and the edges are sanded. It's no Paul Long but for my first crack at this type of sheath, it's coming along pretty good.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

Need to fit the retention strap and do a little final f&f on it but overall it came out fairly well.

 

[jlauffer]

Need to fit the retention strap and do a little final f&f on it but overall it came out fairly well.
View attachment 1747279

Nice John! Had a question. In the previous pic it looks like there's a faint line that suggests the tip of the inlay was maybe going to match the tip of the sheath more closely?

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

Good spot, that was a pencil line so I knew how far to take the outside stitch line since I used the inlay edge as a guide down the sides. I left the inlay short so the sheath would be more stout at the tip.

 

[jlauffer]

Good spot, that was a pencil line so I knew how far to take the outside stitch line since I used the inlay edge as a guide down the sides. I left the inlay short so the sheath would be more stout at the tip.

Makes sense...thnx!

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

Makes sense...thnx!

You're welcome John, always glad to answer questions like that. There's usually a method to my madness lol.

 

[Redmeadow Knives]

Just about set on this, edge is sharp and the sheath is about ready. The Blackwood has some nice color in it along with a small exposed knot (the light and angle is enhancing the blond tones in the picture, it's not that bright in hand).