Learning to make Sheaths

[sak60]

 

Thanks Sparky

[ducttapetech]

Nice work on that one! Are you thinking about doing some other leather items. Like bags, belt pouches or belts?

[sak60]

Nice work on that one! Are you thinking about doing some other leather items. Like bags, belt pouches or belts?

Hi Ducttape, I'm just doing sheaths for my WW2 blades that have ones that need it at present though have done a supertool pouch and a belt for my son. I am liking it as a pastime and a good skill to have. Once I have perfected things a bit more I may do some more pouches for my folders and things and I plan on making myself a billfold because I can't find one to buy that doesn't have card slots. I don't have plans to do elaborate or large scale items like bags. Thanks for the compliment on my work.

[Zed]

Great work mate,inspiring 

[sak60]

Great work mate,inspiring 

Thank you Zed 

[Chako]

Great work. 

Here are a few previous posting I made that you may find of interest.

Back Quiver:
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,29781.0.html

More info:
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,20049.msg378336.html#msg378336

Belt info:
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,43618.msg702527.html#msg702527

[sak60]

Thanks Chako for the links I appreciate it.
That quiver looks like it was a lot of work but great result. Really like the small bag too.
 You look to be well set up. I am getting by with the basic tools that I need for what I'm doing now. I'd be interested to know what dye and method you use, as getting an even and predictable colour seems to be a challenge. Thanks again for the comment and links.

[Chako]

If you get the antique staining gels, I found those to be the easiest to use. Simply rub a section with a wool dauber and then quickly wipe away any excess with a damp sponge. I also tend to use a clear coat of acrylic finisher.once the piece has dried.

Oil based dyes also work well...getting an even finish take a bit of practice.

As for tool setup, indeed I am. It all started with my finding a box of weird tools at the local pawn shop. I bought them out of curiosity, and after some research and plenty of book reading, I slowly started to acquire the various tools needed. I still lack a leather sewing machine....doing all of my sewing by hand still.

[sak60]

Thanks Chako for the info about the dyes. I have seen oil based dyes referred to on YT also the antique stains in store. Will do some research into them.
I actually like the sewing part except for the punching of holes as my sheaths are multi layered in some places and haven't had any success punching single layers and lining up the holes 
I put it together and punch the lot. 

[Chako]

There are tools to make your life easier.

For example...

1. Adjustable Groover. Run this along a leather piece, and the tool will cut a groove into the leather. Run an overstitcher inside that groove and you have just sunken your stitching for a more professional look.
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftool-e-z-adjust-stitching-groover

2. Overstitcher. This tool will accurately allow you to mark holes on various pieces of leather.
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftool-overstitchers

3. Diamond hole chisel set. Quick and easy way to punch accurately spaced holes in leather for stitching. You can also find just a single one piece tool that will do the same.
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/diamond-hole-chisel-set

Take a look at Tandy Leather's web site to get an idea on leather crafting tools and components.

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/category/stitching-lacing-tools/3

[sak60]

Thanks Chako I was just watching a vid from them as I'm thinking about getting one of the knife handles that take the little curved blades.

[Chako]

Get yourself a starter stamping kit with swivel knife such as this kit...

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftool-basic-7-tool-set

You will find that you can 90% of most anything with this starter set. The other stamps you can get piece by piece if and when you need to expand.

or get yourself a larger starter kit such as...

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/deluxe-leathercraft-set

or

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/basic-leathercraft-set

With these style of kits, you not only get a good assortment of stamps and a swivel knife, you also get a proper mallet (never use steel on steel stamps), and some small leather kit materials to practice on.

May I also recommend these good books to start with...
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/leathercrafting-book

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/abc-s-of-leatherwork-book

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/leathercraft-tools-book

[sak60]

Thanks for taking time to post these.
The starter tools would probably be useful when I want to start stamping.
Out of the two leatherwork books would you favour one over the other?

[Chako]

The first book is the better one of the two. The third book is an essential if and when you want to start buying leathercrafting tools as it explains everything in how to maintain and use them. 

[sak60]

Thanks

[Gohard]

If you get the antique staining gels, I found those to be the easiest to use. Simply rub a section with a wool dauber and then quickly wipe away any excess with a damp sponge. I also tend to use a clear coat of acrylic finisher.once the piece has dried.

Oil based dyes also work well...getting an even finish take a bit of practice.

As for tool setup, indeed I am. It all started with my finding a box of weird tools at the local pawn shop. I bought them out of curiosity, and after some research and plenty of book reading, I slowly started to acquire the various tools needed. I still lack a leather sewing machine....doing all of my sewing by hand still.

By hand???
Nothing wrong with that.
You can choose where the holes will start  and end.

Only problem is when you do a belt for a customer and he want it stitched.

[Gohard]

Get yourself a starter stamping kit with swivel knife such as this kit...

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftool-basic-7-tool-set

You will find that you can 90% of most anything with this starter set. The other stamps you can get piece by piece if and when you need to expand.

or get yourself a larger starter kit such as...

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/deluxe-leathercraft-set

or

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/basic-leathercraft-set

With these style of kits, you not only get a good assortment of stamps and a swivel knife, you also get a proper mallet (never use steel on steel stamps), and some small leather kit materials to practice on.

May I also recommend these good books to start with...
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/leathercrafting-book

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/abc-s-of-leatherwork-book

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/leathercraft-tools-book

Thanks for the advise Chako. Will also look into getting those books.

[Gohard]

Thanks Gohard and pfrsantos, I used your ideas in this one. Also used Resolene to finish over the dye.

Perfect

[Gohard]

Nice work on that one! Are you thinking about doing some other leather items. Like bags, belt pouches or belts?

Hi Ducttape, I'm just doing sheaths for my WW2 blades that have ones that need it at present though have done a supertool pouch and a belt for my son. I am liking it as a pastime and a good skill to have. Once I have perfected things a bit more I may do some more pouches for my folders and things and I plan on making myself a billfold because I can't find one to buy that doesn't have card slots. I don't have plans to do elaborate or large scale items like bags. Thanks for the compliment on my work.

Message me when you want to make wallets. I Can help you with this. Took me a year to work out all the teething problems.

[Aloha]

Such an inspiring thread.  I've made some small leather items and I know the skill involved as mine look like poo  .  Its ok tho they work and its great fun.   

[Gohard]

Such an inspiring thread.  I've made some small leather items and I know the skill involved as mine look like poo  .  Its ok tho they work and its great fun.   

Practice practice and more practice

[Chako]

I have been thinking of moving my leather stuff downstairs for several good reasons, and all my ammo reloading stuff upstairs. It also has been a few years I have wanted to try my hand at a gun belt for my SAA pistols. Maybe this month might just see those changes and possibly work on that belt. 

If I do the belt, I just might make a step by step thread about it and post it in here somewhere.

Nice wallets! 

[Gohard]

I have been thinking of moving my leather stuff downstairs for several good reasons, and all my ammo reloading stuff upstairs. It also has been a few years I have wanted to try my hand at a gun belt for my SAA pistols. Maybe this month might just see those changes and possibly work on that belt. 

If I do the belt, I just might make a step by step thread about it and post it in here somewhere.

Nice wallets! 

Thanks Chako

A step by step will be good to follow.

[sak60]

Nice work on that one! Are you thinking about doing some other leather items. Like bags, belt pouches or belts?

Hi Ducttape, I'm just doing sheaths for my WW2 blades that have ones that need it at present though have done a supertool pouch and a belt for my son. I am liking it as a pastime and a good skill to have. Once I have perfected things a bit more I may do some more pouches for my folders and things and I plan on making myself a billfold because I can't find one to buy that doesn't have card slots. I don't have plans to do elaborate or large scale items like bags. Thanks for the compliment on my work.

Message me when you want to make wallets. I Can help you with this. Took me a year to work out all the teething problems.

Thanks Gohard I will.

[sak60]

Such an inspiring thread.  I've made some small leather items and I know the skill involved as mine look like poo  .  Its ok tho they work and its great fun.   

Thanks Aloha Glad you like the thread.
That's right, if it works and does the job that's the main thing. yes it is fun. I have purchased a few sheaths over time but this is much better I am finding, also I wouldn't have been able to purchase the ones that I wanted to make for my WW2 blades.
Jump in and show yours if you want to, Gohard pfr Chako and others have been really helpful with tips and ideas on how to improve mine.

[sak60]

I have been thinking of moving my leather stuff downstairs for several good reasons, and all my ammo reloading stuff upstairs. It also has been a few years I have wanted to try my hand at a gun belt for my SAA pistols. Maybe this month might just see those changes and possibly work on that belt. 

If I do the belt, I just might make a step by step thread about it and post it in here somewhere.

Nice wallets! 

Thanks Chako


A step by step will be good to follow.

I would really  to see that as well

[Sparky415]

Such an inspiring thread.  I've made some small leather items and I know the skill involved as mine look like poo  .  Its ok tho they work and its great fun.   

^^^
This 100% 

[sak60]

Such an inspiring thread.  I've made some small leather items and I know the skill involved as mine look like poo  .  Its ok tho they work and its great fun.   

^^^
This 100% 

Sparky

[Chako]

Started the big move to the living room.

New workbench which was going to be my ammo reloading bench...but I couldn't drill into that beautiful wooden top. So the ammo stuff will go upstairs where my leather work station was, and the leather stuff gets to go downstairs.


A series of close ups of some of my stamps. swivel knives, modelers, etc... The tool holder was made for my by one of my woodworking colleagues at work.






Getting there.


Taking a break. Need to bring down my 2 marble slabs, 3 parts bins, all my dyes, etc...

I should be done by tonight.

[Chako]

Just moved a few of my multi-drawer storage organizers. Placing them on the floor is out of the way and easy enough when I need something from there to access.


And all of my chemicals just fit on the top shelf.


And just finished placing my two marble work surfaces. To get a real good impression when tooling leather, it is important to have a nice flat durable surface. These are sold for just the purpose. I first started out with a thinner piece that I sourced at a local monument shop...but that eventually broke. These have been good.