View Full Version : Sheath stitching
My dad and I have just finished making me a knife (turned out really well we're very proud!!) I'm just about to make a sheath for it from leather but I'm not sure what sort of thread to use for stiching it. What has anyone else used? :-)
Rhoda,
What sort of sheath you thinking of making?
For leather you need something with a good thickness - say 3 mm. Remember to cut of a wedge of leather to go down the inside when it is stitched - this wedge sitting between the two flaps and is there so the drawn knife wont slice into the top stitches.
Barbour do a good wax linen thread - which I use alot. But you can also get artificial sinew (never tried it though) at a push dental floss will serve.
Top tricks with stitching leather,
1. Dampen the leather to make it soft and pliable.
2. Make you holes in advance and line all three peices of leather up before starting work.
4. Evo-stick will tack the leather together while you stitch and not set until long after you finish - but it helps to bind the edges.
5. Use the double needle technique as per Mocassins and this way you get a much stronger stitch plus you can pull the edges together tighter.
Finally remember to cut the leather to the size of your knife but I always add a few mm as experience has shown me I'm always erring on the small size.
Good luck - lets see the finished peices!!
Excellent stuff Rhoda. Gary's advice is spot on, but if you feel you need more help, you'll get lots of advice from the sheathmaking forum on britishblades.
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=5
bushwacker bob
01-07-2004, 22:22
The thread i use is called WENZEL and is available from most saddlers and tack shops. its saddlery thread used for making and repairing horsey leatherware. to ensure it stays fairly waterproof drag it over a block of bees wax.It also comes in black and brown colour and although harder to obtain natural cotton white. :-D
Rhoda, you can get most supplies that you require for constructing sheaths and knives from this site http://www.brisa.fi/start3.html, there name comes up quite a bit on BB. :-D
http://knifenetwork.com/workshop/tut_wrtc_burrows.shtml
Chuck's tutorial is excellent. Linen thread is what I use - can't remember how many strands offhand!
Thanks everyone! I'm off to make a start! :biggthump I'll put a photo up when I've finished but no laughing if its rubbish!! :wink:
Wouldn't dare. I just stitched up a belt, only to realise that the buckle was back-to-front... Cut the stitches, redo the thing... :roll:
bushwacker bob
02-07-2004, 22:31
:rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao: and after seeing your possibles bag I thought you were some hot cordwainer!
:-D Recovered, restitched and given away to someone who wanted a heavyish-duty belt. You'd never know I screwed up if I hadn't said :wink:
As for possibles pouches, I've nearly completed the next one. What is it about British Tan dye that causes leather to drink more of that than any other colour???