What did you make them from? If you can source the materials then a traditional maker may be able to make a sheaf for you.Great stuff.
Does anyone know if anywhere to buy vegan sheaths, made from leather like materials, either synthetic or from the more modern things like cactus leather etc?
I’m keen to get a sheath that looks like a traditional leather one, but vegan.
I have made a couple myself, but would be keen to know if anyone has any knowledge of anyone selling them, or of course if any makers would consider giving it a go?
Thanks.
Hi. I actually came across some pvc type faux leather a number of years back, before becoming vegan actually. I just held on to it, then recently decided to make a sheath with it. The main issue is it’s thickness. It’s only about 1mm thick, so having to laminate it before pattern cutting is a pain. Even then, when all closed up, the edges are hard to get nice, due to the thinness of each piece, and the fact that there are lots of pieces coming together.What did you make them from? If you can source the materials then a traditional maker may be able to make a sheaf for you.
All very good points.I have a similar view on vegan "leather" as I do to vegan "bacon" or "cheese". There are certain properties that are inherent (and desirable) to certain materials, if you do not approve of where that material comes from, choose another of the established and proven options. Trying to approximate or fake the material through modern petro-chemical means is the very epitome of wanting to have ones cake and eat it.
Leather can be cut, carved, sanded, skived, folded, molded, dyed, hardened, polished, stamped, stitched, glued, and riveted. It can have cut resistance, self supporting stiffness, bulk, flexibility at all temperatures, as well as being a traditional material if that is your thing. PVC "leather" has almost none of those characteristics.
I dare say one could do something similar to a fold over sheath with thick rubber, something over 3mm thick, but then it would be rubber, not pretend leather. It will never look like a good leather sheath, so there is no point in trying, just work to make the best synthetic sheath possible.
I myself have made quite a lot of Kydex sheaths, and even a couple of big ones from polycarbonate and ABS. I have one parang sheath in wood, tied with packing strap in the Penan manner. I bet a nice pouch sheath could be made of wood with a very thin closed cell foam insert at the top to give some grip to the handle.
If you are fixed on using fake leather, I would strongly recommend using a liner so the blade cannot cut its way past an inadequate welt.
Chris
They look fantastic.Just thought to put a couple of photos of my vegan leather sheaths up here, as I had mentioned them previously.
I think they are as close as anyone can get to a leather one, both aesthetically and practically, while not using any animal products at all.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks Nigel. Very kind of you. Yes, i’m very pleased with them, and will make more for new bushcraft knives I have hopefully arriving soon.They look fantastic.
Interesting, they do look good.Just thought to put a couple of photos of my vegan leather sheaths up here, as I had mentioned them previously.
I think they are as close as anyone can get to a leather one, both aesthetically and practically, while not using any animal products at all.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks. I’m glad you think they look good.Interesting, they do look good.
What is it you made them from and where did you get it from?
though not pure leather bt as @Mesquite said they are really awesomeThanks. I’m glad you think they look good.
They’re made from a vinyl material, that I buy from etsy, called elephant leather. it’s 2mm thickness so I laminate it. A lot of work I know, and yes, it’s not the best material in the world and nor does it have exactly the same qualities as leather, but for me, it works and I enjoy both making and using them, without the use of animal materials.
They are really effective at what they’re made to do, and what I want them to do, protect the knife and me, while looking not dissimilar to the leather ones that come with Woodlore knives.
Thanks.