Not being into leather working a great deal (mainly because there are so many folks out there who do a waaaay better job than me!), I've been putting off making a sheath for a whole now. Since I've had a few free evenings, I thought I'd bite the bullet and rustle up a simple billhook sheath for my S&J Kitchin, which is my 'go-to' tool for when I'm clearing camp etc. I rate billhooks, mainly because I'm a sucker for traditional tools and the crafts associated with them, but also because they're reasonably light, and very versatile, not to mention easy to sharpen on account of their medium-carbon blade.
I got fed up with wrapping an oily rag around my 'hook when packing, and soon discovered that this method invariably ended up with either a damaged hand or damaged kit somewhere along the line. With this in mind, I set put to create something to keep the blade safe, whilst having the option to add a belt-loop at a later date if I decide I need one.
Enough of the waffle; here's a couple of snaps:
Construction was very simple; draw a template using the billhook, cut and shape the pieces and glue along the edges to be sewn. Follow up (when the glue is dry) by stitch-grooving, marking and punching the holes with an awl and subsequently sewing. The press-studs can be found at Dunelm, and come with the anvil and setting tool, all you need to do is punch the holes accordingly.
The whole thing was given three light coats with Fieblings medium brown, whilst the edges were coated and slicked after an application of Fieblings brown Edge Kote. A liberal application of Carnauba Cream (again by Fieblings) gave the finished satin sheen.
Hopefully, if nothing else, it'll give some of you thinking of making one an idea or two about making your own.
I got fed up with wrapping an oily rag around my 'hook when packing, and soon discovered that this method invariably ended up with either a damaged hand or damaged kit somewhere along the line. With this in mind, I set put to create something to keep the blade safe, whilst having the option to add a belt-loop at a later date if I decide I need one.
Enough of the waffle; here's a couple of snaps:
Construction was very simple; draw a template using the billhook, cut and shape the pieces and glue along the edges to be sewn. Follow up (when the glue is dry) by stitch-grooving, marking and punching the holes with an awl and subsequently sewing. The press-studs can be found at Dunelm, and come with the anvil and setting tool, all you need to do is punch the holes accordingly.
The whole thing was given three light coats with Fieblings medium brown, whilst the edges were coated and slicked after an application of Fieblings brown Edge Kote. A liberal application of Carnauba Cream (again by Fieblings) gave the finished satin sheen.
Hopefully, if nothing else, it'll give some of you thinking of making one an idea or two about making your own.
