View Full Version : Leuku & Sheath
Howdy folks!
Figured I'd post of my Leuku now it's finished, and the sheath. Really, it's a leuku in name only - neither handle nor sheath are typical of one :o I figured the handle could be swept forward a bit (along the same line as the front of the handle of a normal leuku, where it goes into the swell) but without the swell on the back of the handle... if you get what I mean. Anyhoo, it wound up being a bit bowie-styled without the guard, and I made the sheath to reflect that - mottled brown finish (a bit darker than the pic shows) laced with leather.
http://neo-thought.parallel-worlds.net/leuku.jpg
http://neo-thought.parallel-worlds.net/leuku2.jpg
Anyone have any idea what the handle is? I think it's oak, but not totally sure.
Cheers
Pete
Not too sure what the wood is but I think you've done a great job on that mate.
launditch1
08-02-2009, 21:54
Nice work.looks very functional.As for the handle,it looks like oak..id be able to tell better looking at the end grain.
Cheers :D
http://neo-thought.parallel-worlds.net/endgrain.jpg
That any good to ya?
Which reminds me of a few notes about its construction I was gonna mention.
First of all, it's in two halves, as can be seen from that! One half is thicker to accomodate the tang, the shape of which was cut out using a saw since it was relatively even, and then the wood was chipped out with a knife. I glued the two scales together and clamped, then treated it like a solid block, though they were roughly shaped beforehand. I've so far found this to be just as strong as any other stick-tang construction, and it does mean that you can do more shaping on the tang recess, meaning that tangs which have notches ground in can be fit just about perfectly to the wood, allowing a secure fit. If you do this though, the blade should be glued in at the same time as the wood is glued together, and if I had this to do over again, I would have done it that way anyway.
The leather for the sheath was that rubbish plastic-coated nonsense. I bought it from a seller who claimed it was leather, and when it was delivered I thought it was linoleum :cussing: The outside of the sheath is actually the inside of the leather, and I made it look presentable by applying boot-polish - it behaves sorta like burnished leather now really. The inside had the plastic finish removed for about an inch around the top of the sheath, and the whole strap just for aesthetics, though I think this will work out ok - the plastic coating will make the sheath waterproof.
Cheers folks!
Pete
launditch1
09-02-2009, 17:42
Yup.Quercus rober.
Wilderbeast
09-02-2009, 17:50
love the sheath mate, very rustic looking!!
love the sheath mate, very rustic looking!!
Cheers :D I do like that look, I'm thinking of rehandling a Mora in the same wood/style and making a matching sheath :D Or a new sheath for the leuku, with a piggy back for the mora.
good that.............looks ready for action
good that.............looks ready for action
Just about, need to add a leg strap to stop the sheath pulling up every time I draw it :p Made the sheath quite tight, since I figured that without a guard, and with the handle the same width as the blade, a retaining strap wouldn't do much good.
looks great. a whole load of possibilities open up wth that one. i much prefer your handle to the metal clad pommel type.
cheers, and.
looks great. a whole load of possibilities open up wth that one. i much prefer your handle to the metal clad pommel type.
cheers, and.
Cheers fella :D I'm quite fond of the all-wood handle too, feels much warmer - and in scotland, we need all the warmth we can get!
helixpteron
10-02-2009, 00:31
I really like that combination, especially the method of retention for the handle, which I'd not seen before.
The knife and sheath just look so right together, purposeful too.
What type of glue did you use, and what's the blade and handle size?
{Sorry for being nosey, I just really like it - the knife, not being nosey!}.
I really like that combination, especially the method of retention for the handle, which I'd not seen before.
The knife and sheath just look so right together, purposeful too.
What type of glue did you use, and what's the blade and handle size?
{Sorry for being nosey, I just really like it - the knife, not being nosey!}.
Lol it's quite alright, I take it as a compliment :D
When you say the method of retention for the handle, do you mean the way the handle is fixed to the tang? If so, I've not seen it very often either - I think John Fenna did a few that way (sorry if I'm wrong there!) but other than that it's fairly neglected. I did a Clipper that way a couple years ago, and it was easy and strong enough that it just stuck with me :)
The glue I used was epoxy - in fact, it was a syringe of epoxy I got from poundstretcher for £1.50. The blade is 9" long, 14" overall and the blade is about 3-4mm thick - rough guestimation :)
Cheers!
Pete
Hedgehog
10-02-2009, 14:21
Looks very good Draven
Functional & no nonsense tool that, I really like it.
The 'whale tail' on the end of most trad. Leuku sheaths has dual purpose, there is a hole to let water drain from the sheath & the tail itself is grasped in one hand while the other draws the knife.
Tying a knife to your leg can be awkward when sitting/squatting, have you considered a tassle made of leather thong (or similar) to grip onto instead?
Looks very good Draven
Functional & no nonsense tool that, I really like it.
The 'whale tail' on the end of most trad. Leuku sheaths has dual purpose, there is a hole to let water drain from the sheath & the tail itself is grasped in one hand while the other draws the knife.
Tying a knife to your leg can be awkward when sitting/squatting, have you considered a tassle made of leather thong (or similar) to grip onto instead?
Not a bad idea :) Can't help but flinch if I hold onto the edge while drawing it :p Would be a bit awkward for single handed drawing, but I can't think of when I need to chop one handed :p I'm thinking of putting the belt loop on a ring to make it more sitting-friendly, too...
John Fenna
10-02-2009, 16:53
Yup - that is a handling method I have often used - the adapted "Henry" Rabbet method.
Currently I have addapted the method even furthur...I shape the end of the Rat tail tang into an eye and rivet or pin through this as well as epoxying everything in place...
Yup - that is a handling method I have often used - the adapted "Henry" Rabbet method.
Currently I have addapted the method even furthur...I shape the end of the Rat tail tang into an eye and rivet or pin through this as well as epoxying everything in place...
I'd forgotten that you mentioned that in one of your threads - good mod :D I was thinking of threading the end of a tang and putting on a nut to sit in a recess in the handle, but your way sounds better :p
bushcraft_lad
10-02-2009, 22:35
top notch mate
jordan
top notch mate
jordan
Cheers fella :D