Rawhide Sheath

[Man of Tanith]

Kncoked this up over the weekend for the new wantaforge knife i posted recently
Dyed with coffee dregs and grounds whilst it was soaking to become pliant
This is my first attempt at wet forming, also the first time working with rawhide as it happens.
Whilst i am pleased the critical eye is looking at the end result. However i think it suits the style of the knife

 

[MartiniDave]

Hi Sam.

That looks nicely appropriate to the knife. Well done mate.

Dave

 

[Man of Tanith]

Hi Sam.

That looks nicely appropriate to the knife. Well done mate.

Dave

Thanks
I wanted something in keeping with the knife's style.
I do have an idea for a more aesthetically pleasing sheath however i am away to the woods friday and i wanted something done n dusted before then

 

[Dreadhead]

nicely done Sam, how was it for stitching? I imagine it to be a real pain, haven't worked with rawhide myself yet

 

[Zingmo]

When i first saw this knife, my first thought was "Gotta be rawhide". That's an excellent functional sheath, although I can see how you might want to do it again. Does it have a wooden liner?

I think rawhide is amazing stuff; like the kydex of the stone-age.

Z

 

[Man of Tanith]

nicely done Sam, how was it for stitching? I imagine it to be a real pain, haven't worked with rawhide myself yet

Actually quite easy

When i first saw this knife, my first thought was "Gotta be rawhide". That's an excellent functional sheath, although I can see how you might want to do it again. Does it have a wooden liner?

I think rawhide is amazing stuff; like the kydex of the stone-age.

Z

This one hasnt a wood liner
I suspect i will be making another one which will

 

[Muddypaws]

Good job! And good choice of material, it looks most appropriate for the knife.

 

[John Fenna]

Nice one Sam!

 

[Man of Tanith]

Good job! And good choice of material, it looks most appropriate for the knife.

Thank you i think it is in keeping

Nice one Sam!

Cheers John

 

[Janne]

Looks good! Once it dried, did you treat it in any way to keep the shape?

 

[Man of Tanith]

Looks good! Once it dried, did you treat it in any way to keep the shape?

Havent yet
Im told shellac could be used to treat it

 

[Fraxinus]

Looks really in keeping and I am thinking it was flippin' hard work to do too.
Shellac works well on wood as either a sealer or as French polish but it is a bit brittle. (just my experience of it in my job)
Is there a recipe out there for a shellac and beeswax mix that might work ?
Rob.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Looks really in keeping and I am thinking it was flippin' hard work to do too.
Shellac works well on wood as either a sealer or as French polish but it is a bit brittle. (just my experience of it in my job)
Is there a recipe out there for a shellac and beeswax mix that might work ?
Rob.

Actually i found the rawhide very easy to work.
It was very pliable when wet i simply wrapped it round the clingfilmed knife and then clamped it with pegs until it was dry.
It set pretty solid as you can imagine which actually made it easier to sew as it wasnt flapping around like leather of this thickness may of done.

I shall investigate the shellac/beeswax blend as it would still be in keeping with the material more than modern varnishes

 

[crosslandkelly]

Nicely done, looks great.

 

[Fraxinus]

Shellac and beeswax does mix together, I went looking as I was not sure, according to this http://codesmiths.com/shed/workshop/recipes/sealingwax.htm
The recipes in the link may be a good start point.
Rob.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Shellac and beeswax does mix together, I went looking as I was not sure, according to this http://codesmiths.com/shed/workshop/recipes/sealingwax.htm
The recipes in the link may be a good start point.
Rob.

Brilliant thanks for that

 

[Janne]

It might be good if the waterproofing is somewhat flexible. Wonder if the products made for painting wooden boat hulls might work?
International has a wide range of varnishes.

 

[Man of Tanith]

It might be good if the waterproofing is somewhat flexible. Wonder if the products made for painting wooden boat hulls might work?
International has a wide range of varnishes.

most of those aren't really the prim tech/natural materials i am going with for this sheath but for future projects they may be useful

 

[Janne]

Aha, understood! You want 'Paleo tech' !

Linseed oil hardens?

 

[TinkyPete]

nice on Sam this part of your ancient time kit?