Leather Knife Sheath

Hi!

Two months ago I started making yet another knife. Unfortunately I was so exited, that I forgot to take any pictures of the process, however I was able to take pictures, while making a sheath for that knife!

I was amazed, when realized, how cheap it cost to me, only about 3 euros (3.1 dollars) and that I only had to buy a few things, so if you have a spare knife, you can easily make leather sheath for it without spending a lot of money.

Materials:

• Leather
• Epoxy glue
• Rivets
• Thread
• Both side duct tape

Tools:

• Knife
• Razor
• Needle
• Hole puncher
• Fan

Step 1: Cutting the Leather

Every work starts with a plan, so I drew a sample on paper and cut it out.

Then I put it on the most suitable spot and cut it out. Be careful to place it right so you don't waste any of the leather, and make sure that lenght of straps is long enough.

I also cut out another piece that is the same size as the part of the sheath for the blade.

I cut it so, that it would make an outline on the blade part of the sheath.

Step 2: Forming the Leather

I wanted the knife to hold nice and tight in the sheath, so I decided to form the shape of the leather.

If you want to shape the leather, first thing to do is to wet the leather.

After that I put the leather on the knife, bind thread around it, stretched it and started heating it with a fan. If you heat wet leather, it becomes hard, and keeps the form in which it was heated.

Step 3: Cutting, Glueing and Sewing

I started with punching holes in the leather, then, using duct tape, I glued all of the parts together and started sewing them together.

When I finished sewing I cut off the spare leather.

Step 4: Even More Cutting and Sewing

I wanted the sheath to look nice, from every side, so I cut out another piece of leather.

I glued the piece to the sheath, punched out holes, and started sewing it all together. I didn't sew the middle part so it would be possible to attach the sheath to belt.

Step 5: Epoxy

When I choose the leather, I wasn't careful enough. Only when I got to this part, I understood, that I should have taken thicker and harder leather, because all three parts weren't holding together as I tought they would. Because of that I used some epoxy to glue the sides of the sheath together and to make them harder (when they're harder, it's easier to work with them).

Step 6: Straps

The last thing I had to do, was to make the straps.

First I punched out holes on another piece of leather (and I'm glad I did so), put in the rivets and clamped them. Three times I failed, and ruined the rivets, only with the fourth try I was successful.

Again I punched holes in the straps and sewed them (this time only for appearance).

Step 7: Finished

It was a small project, that took more time, than I expected, but it turned out awesome.

Together with the knife it looks even better!

If you want this knife and sheath, you can buy it Here on Etsy.

Comments

[orisj]

Looks great! Very instructive. Thanks!

[Archer65]

I like the way you presented this Instructable. Its cool how you included mistakes and rectified them. Learning from mistakes are a crucial part of craftsmanship. I STILL haven't mastered snaps, iruin at least 3 to every 1.

[Bluefang37]

What sort of thread do you use?

[ElmarsM]

I use either nylon or waxed thread!

[dthompson44]

I was talking to a leather worker and he sai a small nail flattened at the point works too

[ElmarsM]

That's a great idea! Thanks!

[est 1950 bushcraft]

very good your instructable was very inspiring, but could you make template by chance?

[Joels DIY]

Really well done!! I really like it! Where did you get the leather from?

[ElmarsM]

Thanks! I bought it in the local leather store!

[Dastan1996]

Won't the heat from the hair blower ruin the temper of the blade?

[gregotav]

No, to ruin the temper the blade would have to reach temperatures in excess of 200°F.

[Trelligan]

The lowest temperature I could find for tempering is 175°C (for razors); the highest heat from a hair dryer is 135°C. Any hotter and hair will start to degrade too fast.

A heat gun can reach temperatures high enough to affect small pieces. Restricting airflow will raise the temperature of a hair dryer, but will probably destroy (melt) internal components before that's a problem for a knife.

Also, the wet/damp leather will restrict the temperature to 100°C until it dries.

[jscanlan]

Very nice looking

[robbied]

Some very nice work there. A different approach to a belt loop. The one disadvantage to the way I make mine, is the raw back of the leather showing. You have solved it very well.

[mememaster]

Beautiful work!

[kylegilbert]

Very cool.

[ElmarsM]

Thank you!

[unclelar]

Very good job,what did you use to punch the holes for sewing?

[ElmarsM]

Thanks! I used this tool.