My 1st Sheath from an old boot.

[shaunmcdonald]

Well as some of you know i made my 1st Bushy a few weeks back and was not in a position to buy any leather or tools to make a sheath for it. because of this i have kept my eyes open for anything leather laying around like old chairs etc and while clearing the loft out, came across my old rigger boots....so i unstiched one and the piece of leather was just big enough for a sheath. I rummaged around for a couple of needles and found 2 bodkins in the sewing box The thread i was stumped with so considered fishing line but then remembered the kids got a terrible tangle on a kite one camping trip so found the kite and it seemed very strong line The bee's wax wasnt a problem as my wife makes soap so we have it on the shelf.

With everything rounded up i started last night making a template out of paper and then cut the pieces out. What i wasnt sure about was how much bigger to make the leather pieces so i guessed this and the final sheath is maybe a little too tight a fit but i hope it will loosen with use.
This morning i went in the workshop and glued and stitched and finished my sheath and i am really happy with my new rigger boot sheath

I am really looking forward to useing new leather that can be wet moulded on the next project but for now i have a useable knife and sheath.

Thanks for looking.

 

[JonnyP]

love it....

 

[fred gordon]

Wonderful. A nice piece of recycling.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Fantastic effort Shaun,
Not only for the reuse element, but also, its a damned fine sheath.

Very well done

Ogri the trog

 

[British Red]

I love that. It has a real solid, feel. Far more authentic as an "outdoorsmans" knife than most!

Red

 

[godfather]

shaunmcdonald,

what a great piece of work. Well done exept it has given me an idea of what to do with the rather large colloction of leather shoes that the wife has!!

 

[unused[nl]]

Very nice! I have an old leather coat somewhere around the house maybe I could do the same! I am also thinking about making my own knife, really like the idea of making my own stuff! But how did you made the knife? Did you use the tutorial "knife handle making?" in the article part of this site? And was it your first knife or did you already had some other ones? Because I don't and don't really know what kind of shapes I would like to have for my knife..

 

[Dougster]

I'm really impressed, both by the knife and the sheath.

 

[shaunmcdonald]

Thank you all for such kind words..

godfather - I would rather not be to blame for any domestic that cutting up your wifes shoes causes

unused[nl] - There is alot of good posts about making knifes on here and on britishblades. but if i was you have alook at GreenPetes Site http://www.greenpete.co.uk/?page_id=28
Maybe get your Dad to watch it also as he might want to help make it

I must admit that making your own kit really has got to be one of the most satisfying hobbies there is and i hope that i can keep myself busy doing other projects.

 

[Neanderthal]

Love the recycle element of the sheath, looks good too.

"Congratulations, you have earned your 'Womble' badge".

Stu

 

[Biddlesby]

Did you clean up the leather at all?

I hope it isn't too smelly!

 

[Nightwalker]

superb job, I think it looks great!

I laughed when I saw this thread, because I too have been working on my own knife following GreenPete's guide and when I took my nearly finished blade round to my dad's for him to take a look he pulled out an old pair of boots exactly the same as in your photo and explained how I could use them to make a sheath complete with the belt hoop that was already in place I knew it was a good idea, and I've yet to do any leather work what so ever, but you have inspired me with a beautiful peice of work there!

 

[benp1]

GREAT effort

I was sceptical when i first started reading it but it looks really good!

 

[Jedadiah]

Top Job! I am SO impressed, well in mate. Now, if only i had some riggers.............:You_Rock_

 

[sxmolloy]

Very nice, great job

 

[saffy]

Heh, I too a few months ago made a couple of sheath from a rigger boot. These where my first attempts at making a sheath.
Mk1 failed as it was too small, backward designed and didn't have a way to stop blade cutting it way out.

MKII ...well I still go that one and it still going strong and hence the 2nd and last sheath I have ever made.

http://picasaweb.google.com/stonefisk/Leatherworking_SHEATH_MK1

http://picasaweb.google.com/stonefisk/DIY_MORA_FROST_CLIPPER_SHEATH_MKII

For the belt loop I just used the 'pull-up' loops that are already stitched to the boot

 

[shaunmcdonald]

Did you clean up the leather at all?
I hope it isn't too smelly!

Well i did give the leather a scub before using it

saffy - those sheaths look really good the 2nd one especially. how did you manage to wet form the leather as mine seem to not want to be formed at all

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Fantastic work mate :You_Rock_

 

[saffy]

Well i did give the leather a scub before using it

saffy - those sheaths look really good the 2nd one especially. how did you manage to wet form the leather as mine seem to not want to be formed at all

I stripped the buff coloured plastic like paint coating colouring off the leather with standard thinners.

I wet formed by... erm... using a steam iron works well.

 

[shaunmcdonald]

Ah never thought it was a coating but i know now Thank you