Henry Rifle Forums

Got the cleanup done and started working on the various ideas for the sheath. I may have mentioned in other posts that the surgeries I have had over the last decade have affected my memory. (What were we talking about?) Oh yeah... I have been away from the leatherwork for a while, and ... ... it's a challenge to get back to it. I have started on the sheath and it's not easy for a couple reasons...

The knife shape is a bit of a challenge. The bolster transition is harsh. I made the scales (handle) thick because I like them that way. Thick handle, thin(Ish) blade... I'm working on it. I am getting there, but it won't be quick and easy unless I just knock out a quick plain pocket... and Miss T will tell you, I don't do things that way.

The knife deserves a better home than that.

Back out in the shop for a couple hours this morning, playing with laying out a sheath design, and finally cut out a basic sheath, a bit oversize to start. I'll do the carving and sew 'er up then trim away some excess before I burnish the edges. As you can see in the picture below, I have cut out the body of the sheath, the welt that goes between the two folded over edges so the sharp edge of the knife doesn't cut the stitching the first time you insert the blade, and the belt loop for the back of the sheath. Off to the side you can see the scrap of folder I used to rough out a template.


I thought about various things to carve into the nice leather. But ended up with just a basketweave pattern for now. If I don't like the outcome I'll toss this in a bin and give it away, and start over. I like this "quilted basketweave" and when it is stained and antiqued it looks pretty good. We'll see how it turns out. As I said, it's been a while, I might "have" to give 'er another shot.


Keep it here, I look at failure as a learning opportunity, or just plain practice. Otherwise, I'd spend a lot of time frustrated. Remember, I already failed once.

I have worked on the new sheath for the last week, and overcoming the things I have forgotten, I am pretty happy with the way the design turned out. I went with Oak leaves and acorns... better than the quilted pattern I originally tried... which I will still finish.


I dyed the carving with several colors to help bring the details to life, antiqued them, then put a finish on the dang thing. The hand stitching was done with natural colored waxed thread to compliment the leaves and acorns. Amazingly, the knife fits very tightly.


I'm good with it. I'm the first to admit, the quality of the sheath nor the carving is where I was when I stopped leatherwork over a year ago. I'll hopefully get back there.... but it was fun... that's what hobbies are supposed to be...

Got back out in the shop and worked on the first sheath I had started. That quilted pattern one. Took my time and got it finished. The black and burgundy color scheme looks pretty good and the edge burnish came out much better on this one. I cut the bevel with my skiving knife rather than my small beveling tool. I need to order a larger beveling tool for the thicker edges on sheathes and holsters.

I added a hole in the bottom of this sheath for a braided lace, I'll get to that after the last of the finish is applied. I still have to antique and apply the neats foot oil and wax it. But, it's looking pretty good. The hand stitching came out fine.


I may do another in this style with a different carving pattern for the practice. I can certainly use the practice and it'll fill the time.
A final pic of both when they are completely done may appear here.

Really nice work on both sheaths. Making a second knife for one of them? Or does this knife have a summer and a winter home?

RetiredSeabee wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 27, 2023 6:14 pm

Really nice work on both sheaths. Making a second knife for one of them? Or does this knife have a summer and a winter home?

Just practice since I haven't done any leather work for so long after my injuries and time out of the shop. I sadly discovered that with the memory issues my leatherworking skills are a quickly fading thing. So, practice, practice. Plus, I can swap back and forth as the mood strikes.

The acorn sheath is perfect for that knife. It compliments the patterns in both the scales and the blade nicely.

Well done on both.