How to Build a Sheath by Basta
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This instructable is a tag-along to my first, "How to Build a Knife." I had some requests for this after I posted that first one, so here it is--a lot sooner than I thought, too.

So, you want to make a sheath? Maybe you have a nice old knife lying around that doesn't have one, or has a crappy one. Maybe that knife is store-bought or maybe you made it yourself, maybe it's a hunting knife, a fishing knife, a fighting knife, or a kitchen knife; in any case, you can make a good sheath for it.

So, if you're intrigued, or if you have nothing better to do, read on.
 
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Step 1: Designing the sheath

Step number one: same as last time. Get out a pad of paper and a pencil. First, the sheath has to accommodate your knife's blade. Trace out the entire knife, handle and all, on the paper--see picture one. After that's done, draw your sheath around the knife. ALWAYS allow adequate space around the blade for expansion when the knife is in the sheath and connection of the sheath's sides. Here I'm going to make a layered leather type of sheath, a good kind for beginners as leather is more forgiving than other types of material like wood or metal. My project has three layers--the back of the sheath, the front panel, and a spacer between them. I gave about a quarter inch of space (maybe a little more in places) to connect them all. Of course, this much space might not be needed if you're doing another kind of sheath, such as a buckskin or front-sewn sheath.

As you can see from the second picture, the structural design of my sheath is pretty simple. It has a pouch and a belt loop, somewhat contoured to the first half of the grip. Don't think that something simple like this is the only option--there are thousands of other variations you can use, from the practical to the totally outlandish. I favor practical designs , but that's just me.
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MR.builderguy says: Mar 25, 2011. 7:20 PM
I modified mine to be a bit more functional.......
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Basta (author) says: Mar 25, 2011. 8:15 PM
Very nice. The rivets were a good idea, as the one in the 'ible came apart after a while. In summer I want to make a nicer pair of knife/sheath instructables.
MR.builderguy says: Mar 26, 2011. 7:36 AM
Thanks!
fmpedro says: Jan 6, 2013. 1:56 AM
A very nice sheath indeed! As soon as I have the time, I'm planing on making a similar one for a knife I have hanging around from my times in the Scouts :)
cody.lomas says: Nov 29, 2012. 4:56 AM
i had a had a hard time getting leather as well iff you have a truck look for leather couches on craigslist/ bulk pick up day if you dont got a truck you just grab the cushions its free and decent quality or good will leather jackets just make sure it aint pleather
rwintersgill says: Sep 4, 2011. 4:20 AM
how would you actually sew it
CadaverIncc says: Nov 28, 2011. 12:59 PM
You would need to have the holes punched, and then using a thick, but dull needle, and some very thick string, sew it around the edge. Here's a look at my sword sheath. I used brown shoe polish to give it some shine.
390157_2238110797240_1382121205_31973813_947260149_n.jpg
hoghuntingdude384005582 says: Sep 22, 2012. 6:16 AM
nice
Cyclone1764 says: Sep 6, 2012. 8:05 AM
you should make a rambo style knife
Lazy H Blades says: Aug 30, 2012. 7:43 PM
Actually, there is a way to undo cutting off your fingers, a special powder from pig intestines or something like that imitates stem cells that transform into whatever cells are necessary for regeneration of body parts, so based on that it would actually be better to cut off more of yourself than the leather, since you can regrow your finger but leather can't regrow ;)

Cool instructable btw.
soldeir 9 says: Jul 22, 2012. 8:15 PM
@MR.builderguy , the rivets WILL hold the sheath better, but will also dull the knife from drawing/sheathing the knife. that design on your sheath is cool!
BTW, srry for commenting on an old comment
AND i would reply to your comment but there is no "Reply" button :/
triumphman says: Mar 19, 2012. 7:37 PM
I just found some really cool plastic @ Lowees. It works very similar to kydex. See my 'ible, how to make a faux kydex knife sheath. Enjoy, Triumphman
triumphman says: Feb 10, 2012. 3:14 PM
anyone ever used Kydex or concealex ? I need to make a sheathe for my Baby Bear knife expendable. Triumphman. Thanks for the help.
Basta (author) says: Feb 10, 2012. 7:15 PM
All the time--check Google, people have tons of tutorials for heat-forming Kydex. It usually involves heating the material and forming it in a press, nothing high-tech. I've been wanting to get into Kydex.
ThaAWESOMEducttapeguy says: Jan 28, 2012. 6:35 PM
dude nice knife how long did u polish it for?
acancilla says: Jan 5, 2012. 9:48 AM
sorry, very good guide, but can i ask where you got that particular knife from? thanks basta. Ive tried your guide and it all worked well, though i must admit, i borrowed Mr.builderguy's idea for rivets, but other wise nice one.
Basta (author) says: Jan 5, 2012. 7:06 PM
It's my own invention! The instructible on that is on my profile, check it out if you want. I strongly recommend following Mr.builderguy's lead, too. Everything I make out of leather lately has rivets.
acancilla says: Jan 7, 2012. 2:03 AM
ah cool, i'll have a look, thanks
Brounds14 says: Dec 14, 2011. 7:38 PM
i had an idea of making one out of a T-shirt for a home sheath if you wouldn't have a leather one... jw would that work?
street_racer21 says: Jul 25, 2011. 11:25 AM
mmmm peanut butter sammiches
The nerdling says: Jun 12, 2011. 7:05 PM
cool knife
fishcake27 says: Apr 9, 2011. 3:05 PM
you look like my brother!
rmethven says: Apr 7, 2011. 6:31 PM
Hey, I know this was awhile ago, but great sheath! do you think this same process would work with a pair of ulaks? like he ones from Chronicles of Riddick? or would you need to add something else because they're curved? I don't see why you would but just thought I'd ask haha
Basta (author) says: Apr 7, 2011. 7:39 PM
Ulaks? I have seen them but I didn't know they have a name! If I could I would use a stiffer vegetable-tanned leather. Maybe even a wooden sheath wrapped in leather. The one definite must is riveting/stitching, since this sheath has since fallen apart. I hope to make a much better knife/sheath guide later in April or June if I have the time.
cowscankill says: Sep 30, 2008. 1:18 PM
WoW! Great sheath idea! If I don't have any leather, it there an easy material from around the house that could substitute well and be strong? Thanks, and great 'ible!
MR.builderguy says: Mar 27, 2011. 8:37 AM
cardboard might work.
punkhead58 says: Apr 22, 2010. 9:28 PM
I'm going to try paracord.
Thundertydus says: Mar 28, 2010. 9:16 PM
Scary...
cowscankill says: Mar 29, 2010. 3:03 AM
If you don't leave me alone, I am going to report you.
Basta (author) says: Sep 30, 2008. 6:52 PM
There's a lot of things you can use--not necessarily something from around the house, but you could try various heavy fabrics like canvas or duckcloth, neoprene, if you're a handy person you could try wood or even metal scraps.
MR.builderguy says: Mar 27, 2011. 8:39 AM
old belts are good, too.
LoneWolf says: Jan 13, 2009. 7:51 AM
I made one out of wood, and it actually worked pretty well but I also made a leather one to compare the too and I actually perfer the leather to the wood, I don't know why-maybe it's because it looks cooler!!!
Country dude says: Jan 22, 2010. 5:11 PM
Seat belt out of an old car
MR.builderguy says: Mar 26, 2011. 7:44 AM
nice smile in last photo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL
henster22 says: Feb 25, 2011. 10:53 PM
I am so so so so lucky i just went to the boot repair shop and they gave me loads of scrap leather for free!!! one piece was as big as me!!!


:2)
Chocolate Moose says: Mar 5, 2011. 1:09 PM
Dude, you should send me a piece!
You know, from one DIYer to another...
I'm making leather armor for the medieval fair in a few months.
LOL
MR.builderguy says: Mar 26, 2011. 7:36 AM
Me, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
theruss007 says: Dec 25, 2010. 11:54 AM
Great instructable and sheath. I bought a machete and the sheath that came with it is crap the blade cut through it and I ended up cutting my hand once. Leather will look very nice with it.
imkwl12345 says: Oct 24, 2010. 3:07 AM
can i just say i love your knife, for something that you have made by urself it is actually amazing that it is better looking than all the ones in the camping shop in town. i want one. lol.
inumaru says: Jul 13, 2009. 7:39 PM
i wish i had an awl. and leather. and my knife was finished. i wish for a lot of things. Wish in one hand, crap in the other. See which one fills up first.
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