View Full Version : Addicted to leatherwork
Here is my latest sheath, I'm slowly becoming addicted to leatherwork I have now ran out of leather and the postal strike hangs over me like a dark cloud. I just keep looking at what I can make. Anyway here is the sheath, not too bad for my third leatherwork project. My stitching seems to get better everytime.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb268/SOAR_2007/100_4765.jpg
Its not quite finished yet I need to do a bit of sanding on the sides and it needs waxing.
Hope you like it.
Simon.
scottishwolf
05-10-2007, 15:06
Looking good mate, what knife is that? :)
Cheers fella, Its a Helle Futura.
Simon.
You aint alone in your addiction, Soar.
I find that every bit of practise pushes me just that bit better.
Mind you, I still get gobsmacked with some of the stuff posted hereon.
I well remember seeing for the first time, the work of someone (here) who had used one of those pricker tools (like a multipointed chisel)...only then did I really understand what even-ness meant...... blew me away!
Keep racking it up.
Ceeg
Nice work Soar. I'm keen to have a go at some leatherwork, but I really don't have the time at the moment.
How do you find the Futura as a general purpose bushcraft knife? I'm looking at getting my first fixed blade and am trying to whittle the choice down to a shortlist. I'm after something in the style of a Woodlore, but cheaper and available now. I've had a look at the F1, Clipper, and Mora knives, but they don't really to anything for me aesthetically. I quite like the look of the Puukko, but I'm not sure its quite what I'm after.
Usage is likely to be making feathersticks, rough carving and general cutting of things. I'd also want it to work well with my firesteel. For heavier work I'll have a GB SFA with me, and for finer carving I have a Frosts carving knife.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome. My budget for this first knife would be up to about £60.
Cheers
G
The Futura is a good knife, wont work with a fire steel unless you file the spine, even then its not that great. Other than that its great, the edge holds well as its a laminated blade, with a hard steel inner and softer outer steel. and you can get it scaryly sharp with practice. I do all my carving with mine and I find it good to use for detailed work. All in all a good knife .
Simon.
Thanks for that Simon. Shame about the firesteel, but maybe I can think of a way round that as this is currently at the top of my list.
G
Eric_Methven
05-10-2007, 16:22
Thanks for that Simon. Shame about the firesteel, but maybe I can think of a way round that as this is currently at the top of my list.
G
Get yourself a Opinel No8 in carbon steel for using with the firesteel. You can get a very sharp edge on it and the back of the blade can be used on the firesteel with the knife closed. And it only costs a few quid.
Nice sheath by the way Soar.
Eric
AHA! Thanks for that Eric. I already have an Opinel. Bought it many years ago in France, and have no idea what model it is, but it'll do nicely. Seems like the Futura can stay at the top of the list.
All I need now is to make (or have made) a sheath that'll take both, he says, trying to return the thread to Soar's stunning work. $orry Soar.
Cheers
G
AHA! Thanks for that Eric. I already have an Opinel. Bought it many years ago in France, and have no idea what model it is, but it'll do nicely. Seems like the Futura can stay at the top of the list.
All I need now is to make (or have made) a sheath that'll take both, he says, trying to return the thread to Soar's stunning work. $orry Soar.
Cheers
G
Have a go at the sheath its very good fun and highly addictive.
Thanks Eric and ganstey.
Simon.
Tried my Opinel with my firesteel over the weekend, and was very disappointed. I tried the technique of scraping the tip with the back of the knife using pressure from my thumbs, and it shaved a piece off, but no sparks:( The back of both my SAKs are rounded so I didn't bother with either of those. Tried the back of the saw on my Leatherman and got a few sparks. Then tried the awl as a knife to shave the firesteel and got a shower of sparks.
The firesteel seems very hard, and even pressing quite hard the 'blade' slipped off most of the time. Is this normal, or have I got a rogue firesteel. I can get a spark from it, but its nothing like the sparks seen in the video recently posted here :confused:
G
http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/chores018.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org) When I first used a firesteel I got the angle all wrong, it took a bit of experimenting till it "sparked properly..
Nice sheath BTW, Soar.. leatherworking is that addictive thing,
Cheers John, I'll have another play when I get some time.
G