I am a second-generation leatherworker, inheriting most of my leather tools and books from my mother.  So, naturally, my sheaths are an integral part of each knife.  

Each sheath is an individual creation of art and function with custom embellishments to complement each knife, using a design that will fit the knife's use in the field.  All work is done by hand, including the stitching.

I begin with only top-grain, 9-10 oz. heavy tooling leather on each sheath.  I cut a pattern for each sheath so that the belt loop and back of the sheath are one piece for maximum strength, while providing for a "cam" lock so the knife won't fall out in use.

Carving floral and rural scenery in sheaths is a speciality of mine and I believe that it really makes the sheath a work of art in itself.

After tooling or carving the front panel and stamping my maker's mark on the back, I use a commercial-grade contact cement to fit a thick welt to protect the stitching.  Then, I wet-fit the sheath to the knife and stitch it up.  I use only waxed thread and a double-stitching pattern with recessed stitching grooves so the threads are minimally exposed - this makes a huge difference in the durability of the sheath.  In my opinion, if you can feel the threads, then the sheath won't last.  

Finally, I dye the leather, oil-soak, and burnish the edges to a glassy finish.

THE GREAT SHEATH

1. Integral Design and Use of Materials - aside from the welt, a good sheath should be made of one piece of leather
2. Double/Recessed-Stitching - if you can feel the threads, then they will wear faster and take a look at the corners and terminal points on the stitching: the stitching should be heavier at these locations as they are stress points.
3. No Right-Angles - the belt loop should meet the back of the sheath in a gradual arc, not at a sharp right angle, which is weaker and will tear.
4. Heavy Leather - should be a minimum of 9 oz leather.

SHEATH GALLERY

 
 
 
 
Here is an example of my recessed hand stitching and maker's mark - it is a moose under a full moon.

.
.
.
.
An example of my floral carvings

Copyright(c) 2009 Kurt Allen Swearingen. All rights reserved.
kforest@zianet.com