Scandi style sheath step by step (lots of pics)

[mikew]

I thought it may be of interest to some to see a step by step on how I make a Scandinavian style sheath with a wooden liner.

If you would like to see pictures of the knife, see here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90910

First step is to make the liner. I start with three pieces of pine. I want the middle piece to be 1mm thicker than my blade and the total width of the three pieces to be the same thickness as the bolster. I then cut out the blade profile from the middle piece.

I then glue the pieces together and carve to shape.

Here is the knife wrapped in cling film on the piece of leather that will become the sheath.

After I have soaked the leather I begin to form it around the liner and sheath. The white object is my bone folder.

I like to start stitching from the tip. I use a stitch marker and do around 10 stitches at a time, molding the leather as I go.

Stitching all done and I've punched a hole for the leather thonging I will use as a belt loop.

I then trim the excess leather.

Next I dye the sheath. I use Fiebings alcohol based dyes. I know others prefer the oil based stuff but I get on with this one. After the dye has dried I treat with a home made mix of natural oils and waxes which conditions and water proofs the leather and gives a nice sheen.

And here's the happy couple

I use my bone folder again to burnish the edges

A sheath like this would typicaly take me around three hours to complete.

Hope this was of some interest. Any questions or comments please feel free.

Michael

 

[Dreadhead]

awesome i love these style of sheaths and have wondered how to make them for a while now this is great inspiration thanks

 

[Angst]

lovely sheath m8 and that knife really appeals....absolutely beautiful! and thanks for the tutorial....will have a go myself!

regards

a

 

[Perrari]

Well you learn something every day ! Absolutely stunning !

 

[grey-array]

Looks perfect man, have never used a sheath with an insert like that but can imagine how handy it could be
Yours sincerely Ruud

 

[TinkyPete]

great little tutorial.

could be a great little article?

 

[MartiniDave]

Great tutorial Micheal. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Nice looking knife and sheath too!

Dave

 

[Dannytsg]

A very informative post and you make it sound and look so easy. Good job!

 

[Retired Member southey]

Brilliant! More tutorials MORE TUTORIALS!

 

[sasquatch]

Very nice!

 

[Hoodoo]

Super tutorial! Thanks for the great photos and for taking the time to make the tutorial and post it!

 

[GAV4570]

thanks its a good one for the out back ted

 

[nic.]

Great Work Mike, I can see a lot of effort goes into something like that. It looks like the seam isn't glued- however it looks like the edge is now one piece- is that down to the burnishing? or could you put a fingernail down the middle ( not that I would or course!)

And how did you take the picture of both or your hands?

 

[mikew]

Thanks for all the positive comments!

Hi Nic. No the seem isn't glued, just burnished as you say. The magic ingredient is the waxes and oils I finish the sheath with. Basically you smear it on then rub like crazy with a piece of bone or anything smooth really and the seem sort of welds together. Some people use products made specifically for the job and others use pure bees wax.

As for the picture of both hands. You can't expect me to give away all my secrets