MMM Leather!

[GaryBeaner]

Hello there!::D
I'm after some advice about where I can get leather for sheaths. Anything you can throw at me would be appreciated. I need to know where to buy some, what sort you would reccomend ummm, maybe a something about dying or finishes?
Hope this isn't too much to ask. But I don't have a clue.
Cheers.

[Martin]

As ever Carl, Google truly is your friend. Try this for starters:

Leatherworking - A Basic Guide (http://home.clara.net/arianrhod/Aldebaran/DoItYourself/Leather.html)

Woodcraft Magazine Instructions (http://www.woodcraftmagazine.com/onlineextras/Knifesheathinstructions&pattern.pdf)

Hope it helps for starters. :)

Martin

[GaryBeaner]

Cheers for that!

[CanadianMike]

You want thick leather, say 3mm-4mm. You'll find it stiff, but when working with it, it really helps to soak in warm water for 30 seconds, it greatly softens it up to the point the leather feels like thin rubber, makes it really easy to work with for folding, wet forming around a knife (you can form it around the handle so the knife clicks into place), and helps the dye to soak in evenly too.

Adjustable groover: Drag it along the edge of where you want to sew, it cuts a small thin groove parallel to the edge, sets the line to follow for sewing, but also lets the top of the stitches sit flush with the top of the leather surface, greatly reduces the risk of the threads becoming damaged from coming into contact with sharp objects, like rocks, etc.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRdNM1V_4N9B0M-migrhBVbZk_tz0h2sPC60_7-L7srtRMNxEWA

Overstitch wheel: Lays out where the holes will be. I tend to use the 5 holes per inch mostly, but also have 6 and 7 hpi too. Can also use it after sewing to press the threads/lockstitches into the holes (hence the name of overstitch).
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR_Tjsa4KaPUazuXwWwuuBYf5HS9tZe_ CQ9_0Q4BlG9qnbCVnqY

Awl: Use to punch your holes, also helps to open holes up bigger as you sew.
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQVAxcnblj_XBEmAQHNxSPgiDtQ55ey8 KXPn06ha6qTTN02FBj5Vw

Edging tool: Use to cut a rounded edge on your leather, reduces fraying and looks cleaner when finished.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhdgv8IixydrsIQzgEXRRFZmDi2-Dzs08FEfPDTV8F9UX1lQdQfQ

Avoid using the sewing awl, it makes messy stitches, best to go for a simple needle and thread. Use pliers to help get the needle through the holes, and use waxed thread (it locks with friction).
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCGvYSbx4cXEA2QviZraPDNVrh260Ze _NK00QhnsfdRMO7JkXF

Dyes, water based seem to be the easiest to work with, you can mix colours together, say red and dark brown to get a lighter medium brown, and can also thin the dye with water. Really handy. Is what I did on this sheath Christmas day:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1334.snc4/162621_486388499206_510619206_5638888_4510092_n.jp g

[Thumbcrusher]

Try "LePrevo" leather supplies based in Newcastle upon Tyne. They have a website - just google it.

The staff are very helpfull as well so if you are unsure about anything they sell or want general advice just give them a ring!

(No connection to the store - just a satisfied regular customer).

[CanadianMike]

Here's the picture trail of the sheath above that I made.

After cutting the dry leather to shape.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs745.ash1/163757_484552269206_510619206_5606244_7613071_n.jp g

The wet leather shaped (used paper to make the pattern after tracing the knife, then cut the leather out), grooves cut, holes marked for sewing, etc.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs774.ash1/166453_484552444206_510619206_5606247_3344436_n.jp g

Tried out some new stamping tools for a bit of an edge design.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs006.snc6/165692_484281194206_510619206_5599767_7966804_n.jp g

First coat of dye applied and drying.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs354.ash2/63403_484302869206_510619206_5600338_1413986_n.jpg

After sewing....
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1386.snc4/163816_484552574206_510619206_5606249_7458400_n.jp g
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1367.snc4/163974_484552614206_510619206_5606250_7404664_n.jp g
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs027.snc6/165722_484552674206_510619206_5606251_3513588_n.jp g

Second coat of dye rubbed in... you can see that I used the edging tool to round off the edges. Also used some gum on the side to reduce shredding, used my belt grinder to smooth out the edges, then more gum then dying everything.
http://l9.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-ash1/hs746.ash1/163884_484552739206_510619206_5606252_2052493_n.jp g

And the final result as in my previous thread.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs049.snc6/167933_486387414206_510619206_5638877_4023357_n.jp g

[Tony1948]

Gary as a starter try EBAY Item number140495294503, you get all you need except needle and glue.Use taperstree needles, No point on them and biger eye hole to thread wax thread through. Let us now how you get on......................All the best and happey new year.................TONY

[GaryBeaner]

Right! I think that's me sorted!!! Cheers.
Lovely sheath there Mike. I like the look.

[CanadianMike]

Thanks. Takes a lot of planning and mistakes (plan to avoid mistakes) but overall it doesn't take a lot to get to the point of making sheaths.

This was my very first attempt at making anything out of leather, made this back in August I think:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs419.snc4/46249_426783834206_510619206_4637520_8352878_n.jpg

And the first knife sheath I made, you can see that after maybe about 10 sheaths I really improved with pure practice:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs189.ash2/45259_427166324206_510619206_4649953_7388319_n.jpg

[gabrielo]

a good source for high quality, sturdy leather are mediaval markets. i got two pieces of 30 x 40cm 4mm thick leather in a light brown colour for 16 euro, which would be about 20 us dollars.

[RobbC]

CanadianMike i was wondering the process for the making of that wonderful axe sheath, if you could post simple guide lines and info on where you got the leather etc, it would be much appreiciated.

Robb

[CanadianMike]

Thanks. Got the leather from the local leather supply store, basically same as Tandy. Guidelines, I just saw a sheath one day on google images that I liked and saw it was more secure and protective, so decided to try to make something like that.

Started with just cardboard and thinking my way through while trying to not cut myself (again).
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs196.ash2/45932_426783769206_510619206_4637515_8192184_n.jpg

Then went with leather (the doubler has been added):
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs300.snc4/41315_426783784206_510619206_4637516_2916064_n.jpg

Then the belt loop with snaps:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs392.snc4/45568_426783794206_510619206_4637517_2153445_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs192.ash2/45568_426783799206_510619206_4637518_3515687_n.jpg

http://l1.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-ash2/hs199.ash2/46249_426783829206_510619206_4637519_7001054_n.jpg

And the "end" result (I'm likely to deglaze the leather and dye is a darker brown):

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs419.snc4/46249_426783834206_510619206_4637520_8352878_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs419.snc4/46249_426783839206_510619206_4637521_366748_n.jpg

[RobbC]

Thats brilliant, cheers, if i get a new axe for my birthday il definatly have a shot at makin this for it. Thanks again.

Robb

[CanadianMike]

No problem, happy you were inspired by it. I can't take credit for the design, only the outcome, but at least you have a decent start on tools, planning, execution, etc. to make your own axe or knife sheath. All starts out on paper (or cardboard) and grows from there. Cheers!

[Adam Savage]

Yet another thread I missed lol. Some great sheaths there Mike. I really need to get better with leather.

[CanadianMike]

NECRO!!!! LOL!

That was actually the very first thing I made out of leather in a very long time (first was a belt pouch/sporran type thingy made from a leather womans purse I found in a thrift shop over 20 years ago), made mistakes with the new tools I had, namely the adjustable groover, but was a good lesson for me in patience, predicting next steps, etc. Still have the axe sheath above, more made it to replace the stock sheat because it was too loose, but because I love the look of the original I just added a second snap and haven't used the above since. :)

[Adam Savage]

LOL. Sounds like the sort of thing I do

[CanadianMike]

Is it a disease?

[Adam Savage]

I believe so...craftitis or something...lol

[Ben Casey]

Cool a shop in Newcastle of to try a new hobby now :)

[Adam Savage]

I thought they were your sworn enemies lol

[Ben Casey]

I thought they were your sworn enemies lol

They have there uses LOL