Well today I received the sheaths I ordered a while back. They look nice and seemed to be well made. Just one problem...they're a one size fits all (within blade length spec). What I didn't count on was the different shaped blades of the kits I had put together and that my handles are all different. They'll work, but maybe something like a pouch style would have worked better for the knife with the heavier handle. Guess I need to learn how to make sheaths myself, then I can custom fit them. Live and learn!
Yeah... sheaths are a pain when they are one size fits all... they never really do... Gotta make a leather one tommorrow... I'm gonna cheat and use copper rivets :0) Expedient and secure...
Don't know that they a specific name. Basic belt hunter/ utility for 4" blade in black (3) and natural (3) with a "basketweave" design. I'll post some pics shortly. I'm guessing that like most leather goods they need to be broken in. I ordered online. Bear, I've noticed in older posts that you've worked with Kydex. Do you have preference, and if you don't mind...why?
Buying sheaths means you have to make the knife to the sheath - it should be the opposite. Try making them and you may just enjoy it! My wife made mine for a while but I never did get into it.
Yeah, it seems to defeat the purpose. They were a good price though and I could see if I was selling a "style" of my own then I could use those sheaths easily. I see that there's alot of info on sheath making so I will definitely look into it. Reminds me of my summer camp days \:^)
I have several higher end knives by people like Chris Reeves and Randall..... I appreciate a good fitting sheath as much, maybe more, than the knife. The way my Randall sheath fits is really, truly amazing.
I notice in the picture that you're using a pouch sheath. I really like that design and think it might work better for my heavier handles. Also, and I read this somewhere, the snap loop can be a distraction, which I can see being an issue at times. The set you have as an avatar is really nice. Here's a couple of pics of what I received. I think only the blue boot blade and the red skinner actually work with these sheaths, but it gives me something to work with.
I have Striders, Busse's, Buxtons, Emersons, Al Mars, Hinderers and others- the knife that Bear made me from a coil spring and a one brick forge is my favorite by far and the one I carry with me almost everyday. See the pictorial as it was born here: http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/blades/3929-one-brick-forge.html My other favorite knife is a Damascus that Valkman made me and it has a similar leather pouch sheath as Bear's below. I like the frontier style of the leather with copper rivets and I also have the option of the kydex sheath that rides high for EDC concealed. I use them one sheath or the other depending on if I'm going to be outdoors or indoors for the day. These are quick pics and I didn't have time to properly light them. First 4 are Bear's knife with 2 sheaths and last 2 are Don Llewellyn's Damascus w/ Snakewood and leather sheath:
I like kydex because it doesn't hold moisture if you make it right... and its one tough sheath... but I also love leather... just because... If I had to choose... practically... I like kydex.... and you can mold it to "hold" your knife.... for fun and looks... I like leather... got me a Tippman Boss Stitcher a while back... someday I'll use it to make some nice leather sheaths... etc... Hope that answers your question...
Yikes Melbo... you still have that knife... boy that brings back memories... Gonna have to make you another.... maybe an axe too :0)
You check out your one brick forge thread pics lately? Nice stuff! http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/blades/3929-one-brick-forge.html
Kitchen knives Here's a link for some new handles I've made. These I actually made for some family members to use. Someday I hope to make blades like this! Picasa Web Albums - Kevin - Knives
Yeah, that knife and sheath were made by Robert Hawk. You can find his advertisements in Backwoodsman magazine. He's kind of old school- no website or email. Literally still mails out his brochure of options. The wife choose all the options on it. I really like the knife. With a 6000 grit water stone, it hones up good enough to shave with. The sheath is a good fit. I am sure it's a wet fit. No complaints with retention. I have a multitude of different sheaths. Each has it's own function. I have a Kydex sheath from Survival Sheath Systems for my Project I. I use it strictly for lashing that bad boy to my kit for deployments. In the rear, I would much rather carry a nice leather sheath. The situation is different. Leather doesn't scratch the knife like Kydex and is a bit easier on the edge. Kydex makes for simple resheathing and requires no retention straps. I see Kydex as a more tactical role and leather as.... well.... I dunno. Something different. All in all, I prefer leather.