Birch Bark Knife Sheaths

[MikeWilkinson]

Not wanting to fork out a fortune on a nice leather neck sheath for my Mora, I'd thought I'd research a more 'crafty' approach to making one. Being that leather is quite expensive and not having the skills to work it, I did a little research and came up with this:-

http://www.pinewoodforge.com/sheath.making.html

A quick trip to the woods and a little hunting for a nice downed birch tree and I was armed with a nice sheet of bark for my project.

The bark wasn't quite long enough to make a sheath for my Mora, but has made a nice little neck sheath for my Opinel and another for my Firesteel.

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What do you think?

Actual construction time - 10mins.

Birch has an amazing 'grip' and I can quite happily sling this upside down and shake hard without losing the knife.

Just need to find a piece long enough to make the sheath for my Mora now.

[MikeWilkinson]

Thanks to the heavy winds, a few nice pieces of Birch have now been lowered to within my reach, so here is an update on the knife sheath project - the final Mora Sheath.

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I'm pretty pleased, but already planning a mark 2 with a firesteel pocket.

Who needs Kydex when you have birch bark!

[Howling Dingo]

Nice work mate..!!

[IanHopkinson]

That looks pretty nifty
i think im gonna have a go at that
leather is expensive and thats a really decent alternative !

[Ashley Cawley]

I really like the look of that Mike, great work bud, I'll be interested to know how it holds-up over time too.

[MikeWilkinson]

The neck sheath for the Opinel gets the most battering and was my first attempt, I'm glad to say its holding up very well, no cracks or splits and looks as good as when I first made it. I have a mini version that holds a firesteel and striker, that sits in my pocket and gets abraded by all the other junk in there, that too is holding up brilliantly. My Mora only really gets used once a week tops, It is still immaculate. I would say though that it is a little flexible and although it protects the blade fairly well, I think a wood or plastic inset might give it a little more support.

[OKBushcraft]

Wow! Very nice! That really makes me want to try that-just need to find some birch. Maybe some hickory brak would work...???

Have you seen hobbexp's vids on his birch bark crafts?

Here is one of him making a sheath for his mora. You can see it in many of his vids dangling from his belt.

http://www.youtube.com/user/hobbexp#p/u/37/kwCHCHLx984

[MikeWilkinson]

Just made a new Sheath for a Mora Carving Knife.

So here is my full selection + some detail on the Carving knife sheath.

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[Bambii]

Brilliant sheath, i really like the natural look of the birch bark sheaths.

Great work :D

[Ashley Cawley]

I think they look brilliant, great work Mike ;)

[OKBushcraft]

Very nice craftsmanship.

[MikeWilkinson]

Just a quick update as you all asked me to keep you informed.

The Bark is holding up a treat, it has taken a major battering over the winter and has required no repairs or tweaks, still grips like mad. Just given it all a quick oiling again today, first time since I made them.

But good to hear how you are getting on with yours Ash?

So with spring on its way its time to start mocking up the pack in card, ready for giving it a go when I can get hold of some good bark strips.

[Ashley Cawley]

...But good to hear how you are getting on with yours Ash?

So with spring on its way its time to start mocking up the pack in card, ready for giving it a go when I can get hold of some good bark strips.
It's holding up well thank you Mike, no complaints or repairs needed :) ... The Mora Carving knife isn't my primary knife so it's by no means getting the beating that my primary sheath would be but it is often in my rucksack up against various things, comes out with me more often then not. It has really impressed me in terms of durability and staying together.

[Allthegear-noidea]

Thanks for that Mike. I am defo going to have a shot at that. It's just such cleverness that got me wanting to make the transition from camper to 'crafter. Glad to learn these sheaths are durable too. Top stuff. And thanks to Okcrafter too. Brilliant vid.

[Fuutpad]

I really want to make one of these as have birch forests round here but does anyone have an idiots guide... it looks pretty straight forward but it's the finishing (no glue or string) that is puzzling me.
Any help would be appreciated?

[MikeWilkinson]

Fuutpad,

If the wraps are made tight enough, the final tuck at the top of the sheath is sufficient to hold the whole thing together, the whole thing pulls tighter when the knife is inserted and friction holds it all in place. If you are a little concerned about it coming undone then a little pitch glue added to the tip of the final wrap will do the trick, however I have never seen any need to do so.

The link on the first page should give you everything you need to know about making these.

[MikeWilkinson]

Just thought I'd revive this thread for the benefit of Phil(Freedom) and Ade who I met at Tamarack today, and whom both showed and interest in them. Link for instructions is on the first post in the thread.

[AdrianRose]

Thanks for this mike. Think I'm gonna have to give this one a go.

Ade.

[FishyFolk]

Thats just amazing. I may try something like that for my Mora 120. The sheath for that is so narrow the knife won't really go into it...

[MikeWilkinson]

Hi folks,

Giving this a bump again for the benefit of Danny and Ade, who I again saw at Tamarack. Thanks again Ade for the forging walk, the kids loved it.

Mike

[snowleopard]

They look great!

[OKBushcraft]

Got any pictures of how they are withstanding the wear?

[MikeWilkinson]

Hi OK,

They look exactly the same as they did when I first made them. I'll get a couple of pics up when I get the chance.

[OKBushcraft]

That's very impressive! I would never have thought they would hold up that well. It's very nice to know, thanks.

[JulesC]

Just stumbled on this c/o google. Great solution I'll be trying it myself. Thanks Mike Wilkinson.

[David_JAFO]

hello,
Master class :wink: that's what Survival skills are all about BTW using what you have at hand.
Regards
David

:jumping-joy:

[shepherd]

really like those sheaths.. id love to make one for me opinel 12... now to find some bark!

[OakAshandThorn]

T^ That's some grand work, Mike - positively brilliant :D. The little wear on the sheaths is quite impressive, as well. Must try this out myself sometime - there are always fallen birch in my area :).

[MikeWilkinson]

T^ That's some grand work, Mike - positively brilliant :D. The little wear on the sheaths is quite impressive, as well. Must try this out myself sometime - there are always fallen birch in my area :).

Thanks Oak. It's a pity that the Birch around here is fairly thin. I would love to have a go at a Sammi backpack.

[OakAshandThorn]

Thanks Oak. It's a pity that the Birch around here is fairly thin. I would love to have a go at a Sammi backpack.
The thickness varies over here, usually depending on what type of birch it is - Grey Birch and Sweet Birch generally have the thickest bark. You mean a pack basket? I've seen a few of those, but constructed of ash splints instead of birch bark.

[MikeWilkinson]

The thickness varies over here, usually depending on what type of birch it is - Grey Birch and Sweet Birch generally have the thickest bark. You mean a pack basket? I've seen a few of those, but constructed of ash splints instead of birch bark.

Sort of like the adriondack packs, but more rucksack shaped than you expect:-)


check this thread from a while back:-

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?271-Birch-Bark-Back-Pack&highlight=birch+bark+back+pack

[MikeWilkinson]

For Suggy's (of Northern Soul Bushcrafters) benefit, I though I'd put together a quick pictorial of making the Birch bark neck sheath.

So on with Part 1....

1.) Find a decent failry straight and if possible lenticle free piece of Birch (Dead fallen is preferable as we don't want to damage live trees!) - a few lenticles (the little black eyes) are o.k. but with UK birch the bark is that thin, it is these that generally cause weak spots. Those in the US or Northern Europe\Scandinavia are quite lucky that the bark is that thick below them that it doesn't matter so much.

2.) Harvest the bark by cutting a spiral around the log, the width of the spiral needs to be at least 2.5 x width of the object that you wish to create the sheath for and 4 to 4.5 x length of blade\item. Use a branch or wooded mallet to tap and loosen the bark along the full length of the spiral. Starting at one end slowly peel the spiral of the log (if you find the bark is still firmly attached to the log poor hot water behind the bark and use a blunted stick as a spud to ease it off.) Take care over any lenticles and if necessary give it another few taps with the mallet to help loosen it.

3.) Construction of Sheath. You will need:-

Bark Strip - min. 4x length and 2.5 times width of item to sheath.
Scissors or sharp knife.
Bowl of Hot water.
Cordage for necklace.

[MikeWilkinson]

Part 2...

First measure and trim the bark.

The bark needs to be twice the width of the thickest part of the item to be sheathed. This should leave a long strip to use to make the bindings.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/6y5epyva.jpg

Place all the bark in a bowl of warm water to make it more pliable.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/je9una3y.jpg

Fold the ends of the sheath in to meet in the middle, with the outer bark on the inside.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/emeburaj.jpg

Fold in half so that you end up with the basic sheath shape. The inner bark face should form the outer surface of the sheath with double thick walls.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/jy3e6ase.jpg

[MikeWilkinson]

Part 3...

Taking a long strip of the binding material (approx
0.5cm thick) tuck one end between the two walls of the back of the sheath.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/yqa4abev.jpg

Using the working end, wrap all the way around the front and back of the sheath. Keep the wraps tight.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/umepa3a7.jpg

Tuck the working end between the two walls of the front of the sheath. Again ensure the wraps are tight

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/pyvubuze.jpg

Continue to wrap in this fashion, alternating tucks between the front and rear walls and keeping the wraps tight.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/3etepyze.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/ju9aja6y.jpg

[MikeWilkinson]

Part 4...

If you need to add a new binding strip in. Add it where you have completed a tuck so that it over laps the tuck completely. Trim off any excess.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/esypemyp.jpg

At the top complete a full wrap around the front of the sheath and trim the working end to a point long enough to complete one final tuck through the back wall.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/qyvepaqy.jpg

Add the neck cord and the sheath is complete. Leave it to dry before use. And lighlty oil occasionally to keep it looking clean.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/adaqaduv.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/03/e7yda9es.jpg

[MikeWilkinson]

I like reviving useful old threads. So this thread started back in 2010. When I first made these. So nearly 7 years on and only oiling them once a year they are still going strong.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170623/a2a735ae71110666f5938156afc679ea.jpg

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[Pootle]

These are looking really good, Its amazing how well they've held up. What do you oil them with?

[MikeWilkinson]

Veg based oil. Normally rapeseed or light virgin olive oil.

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[Woody]

These look superb ...
Still on my to-do list .
Thanks for sharing and bringing it back to the top.
I bet there's loads of really good threads from years ago , that are just buried in the depths of this forum and in the fading memories of the folk here.

With a few old faces returning here hopefully we'll see a resurgence of some of these ...

[Pootle]

Yeah, quite a knowledge Base here. I need to have a go at birch bark sheaths. This thread has definitely inspired me to get on the case.

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[Michaellarder]

Wow, that looks really good. I'm new to all this but if i can get to a stage where can do half of what some of you guys do il be a happy man

[Postens]

These look AMAZING! I'm going to try and make one.

[MikeWilkinson]

They are pretty easy. Hardest part is finding a nice fallen birch with a good strip of birch. Any problems just post for help.

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