Sheath for my Minimalist Survival Knife Experiment

R

Return of the J.D.

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Nov 29, 2005
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I've had to admit the truth of this fact: we BladeForumites have a tendency to emphasize choice of gear (and, especially, choice of knife) a little more than we probably should. I count myself as guilty of this.

That said, I've lately been exploring the use of inexpensive knives for outdoor/survival applications. Moras are the prime example, but lately I've also dug out many old high-carbon kitchen knives, and have been looking at them anew for their potential wilderness/survival usefulness.

I've long been a fan of Ontario's Old Hickory line of knives--formerly available in Wal-Marts for under 10 bucks each. The blades are thin enough for easy slicing; they take great edges. When I was a teenager, or thereabouts, I once put one in a vise and tried to break it, leaning on it pretty hard--and got a real respect for those blades when the thin steel didn't break, but instead just contemptuously threw me backward with the blade's quick return to straight. These knives are tough,inexpensive, and of great usefulness. The famous Green River knives are pretty similar, though usually a little more expensive. I have to admit that it's arguably better to carry four of these than one (fill in name of your favorite heavy $100+ chopper knife here), just because even if one blade snaps, you've got backup, and the kind of redundancy you'll get by carrying 4 light high-carbon kitchen knives, for which you paid $3 each, will leave you with a knife after yours gets lost in the river when your canoe capsizes, or whatever.

All of this potential outdoor usefulness, however, requires that you have a sheath or scabbard in which to carry the knife. I'm interested in making some sheaths for some of these inexpensive kitchen knives, and am trying to figure out an appropriate design. I'm thinking that some kind of friction-fit rig would be best. Two options suggest themselves. One would be a "dangler" type sheath, kind of like the one that comes with a Rapala fishing knife.

Like this:

http://www.rapala.com/products/filletknivesdetail.cfm?name=Fish `n Fillet Knives

Another would be the old frontier kind, with a single belt slot--kind of like these:

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(iu...atId=9&subId=57&styleId=217&partNum=SHEATH-7R

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_104_537_547&products_id=1539

Any thoughts from everybody about what kind of sheath setup would be best? Needn't be either of these designs--some other setup might be as good, or better. Any tips on how to make it would be welcome, too.

Thanks!
 
I've just started using the British Bayonet Frog for my larger knives. For about $3.00 and shipping for 2, I just couldn't bet them.
 
There are a lot of companies that you can get the sheath making supplies from. knifekits.com is a really good one. Really the best way to make a good sheath is practice. Easy to use tools are:

heat gun
camping foam pad from Walmart
rivet setter and anvil
saw
hand files
hammer
drill

Thats about all you need. If you want to do eyelets (as I've recently discovered) you need to buy a good eyelet press and dyes. The cheapo eyelet setting tools at craft stores make them look like dookie. One of the techniques I've developed is actually using my hands to mold the kydex when its hot instead of a press. It takes more practice and talent, but the sheaths come out MUCH better. Once you get the tools and materials, the options for carry position and setup are limitless. You can do neck rigs, vertical carry, horizontal carry, tilt carry, attachments, different styles of belt loops, detachable accessories and belt equipment, etc. What helped me get some ideas was to look at everyone else's sheaths and ask myself, "What would I change on this to make it fit me better?" After a while, you come up with your own setup that is perfect for you. Once you get the basic technique down, which is really easy to learn on your own, sheath making is a breeze and really opens up the posibilities.
 
I think the Old Frontier type belt slot would be better (easier) for kitchen knife for the following reasons.

1.easier to make retention wise-I think the danglers require a bit more experience and/or work in getting to fit and the knife not fall out. With the belt slot one the knife actually rides behind the belt holding it in.

2. A novice handmade is going to also be easier to put a thicker piece of leather to protect the edge. The dangler usually has a plastic or wood "sheath" inside.

3. You can contact cement two pieces of leather together (one piece outside like a taco and one thick piece for edge guard). Use rivets for looks only (contact cement will hold alone) and have a very functional and fast sheath. A dangler would probably have to be sewn.

4. As long as they are the same basic size more than one knife will probably fit in belt slot sheath.
 
Both of those should work, but I agree with messer that the frontier style would be eisier to make.

Or even easier still you might consider one of these, no tools, rivets, or threads required, just a knife!
http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-knifesheath.html

Only problem, is that the handle has to be straight, and I added a loop to mine to keep it from flopping over, and a piece of leather string to make the belt loop smaller, so the sheath doesn't come up with the knife:
2111341678_956d42c8c6.jpg
 
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