Make fibreglass/glassfibre sheath

[billygoatscruff]

Hi,Not sure if this has been up before,couldn't find anything on search but,has anyone tried to make a knife,golock fibreglass sheath from fg matting or attempted to make either a full,3/4 or 1/4 blade liner.Read as lot about decent blades with poor pouches/sheaths(probably the only way a manufacturer can keep the price down)but a blade liner would prevent the sheath being cut.Fibreglass is messy to work with,but it's relatively cheap therefore most of the work would involve time rather than cash.It can be shaped,drilled,sanded and painted.Not very bushcrafty but neither is Kydex.Any thoughts?

 

[Ogri the trog]

Having worked with fibreglass in the past, it would have to be very thin to be flexible enough for a knife sheath - of it would hold so tight that you'd never get the blade out. I have seen some very nice sheaths made of leather with Kydex inserts - have a look at Rob Evans' work!
I'm not convinced that a home-made F/g sheath is worth all the hassle and mess - especially when the end product will be no better than anything already available.
If you're having to rely on a blade liner to prevent damage to the sheath, then I suggest that a revision of technique is in order.

Ogri the trog

 

[ex-member Raikey]

wow,..

such a coincidence,..

i have one in build at the mo,....

i,ll post pics when i get in,....but essentially yes,...

i made a hi vis micarta handled knife and need a sheath,...

using the same principal,..

cut and lay out the materials,...3-4 sheets of hi-vis in my case,..

coat the blade and bottom half of handle with grease or a tight fitting bag etc,....

treat the sheet with resin and lay the knife on it,...

now fold over, moulding it closley to the form of the knife while its wet,....

DONT LET THE TWO FOLDED HALVES MEET , PUT A PIECE OF THE POLY BAG IN BETWEEN

 

[ex-member Raikey]

oops pressed return,...

ok,..so the poly bag makes it stay seperate similar to a moulded kydex one,..

work out where to trim and where to rivet so it grips the handle.,...(this is the stage i,m at, but imn enjoying the experiment...)

give it a go,...

Stu..

 

[1972]

I Think it could work I see no reason why not.

I use fibreglass in work quite a lot and as you say its pretty messy and generally nasty stuff but very adaptable, if you can get hold of some of the
weaved matting it could give an interesting texture to the surface of a sheath.

I do think it would scuff the blade a bit in use though as it dries pretty hard, I think its maybe less suitable as a blade liner.

Give it a shot, whats the worst that can happen?

ATB

 

[John Fenna]

If all you want is a cheap and easy sheath liner then I have found that a plastic drinks bottle offers up a good sized sheet of tough plastic that you can cut and shape (with heat) and glue or staple into the shape and size you want.
It may look rough in itself - but then it is totally hidden inside the sheath.
If you get a bottle of cider then preparation for the project is very enjoyable as well as the materials being free!
I have used this method on several comercial knife sheaths that were a little less tough that I would have liked as well as some I made myself from "recycled" materials.
It works a treat!

 

[billygoatscruff]

Cheers lads.Some good opinions there,but i think you're missing the point really.The The reason for the question was the possibility.It's I'm glad someone else is having a go at it,as the finished article will certainly be a talking point.My own plan was to use a plyboard pattern which is slightly thicker than the golock using a release agent to prevent sticking.This is just a personal aim really,a bit like a potter making a pot ie; your own spec,style ,time and patience to make a real one off and if it doesn't work it's back to the old drawing board,or maybe i escaped from the straitjacket too easily!

 

[billygoatscruff]

Hi,didn't realise you could use grease and poly.My limited amount of fibreglass work has mainly been at motorcycles.Take your time and don't rush it mine will be in the planning stage for ages,but the possibilities - spring blade lock,incorporated liner,add on pouches etc.It's all about making something that is special to you; made with your own paws from start to finish.Time doesn't matter.Good on you for having a bash.
Read in MC mechanics that you can buy smooth fibreglass sheeting,just in case you haven't heard of it.

 

[ex-member Raikey]

.
Read in MC mechanics that you can buy smooth fibreglass sheeting,just in case you haven't heard of it.

you dont have to use fibre glass at all mate,....

just the resin,...

try denim,...cotton,..anything really,...

Cheers

Stu