{"id":100693,"date":"2020-04-14T09:34:41","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T17:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mrlentz.com\/?p=100693"},"modified":"2020-04-14T14:11:56","modified_gmt":"2020-04-14T22:11:56","slug":"formed-leather-knife-sheaths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrlentz.com\/2020\/04\/formed-leather-knife-sheaths\/","title":{"rendered":"Formed Leather Knife Sheaths"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"side<\/p>\n

This past week had me in the workshop making a wet formed knife sheath. As with most everyone in the country, I am laying low for a while until the pandemic calms down a bit – life for us has not changed too much yet and I do hope all of you are doing well! Typically I am in the shop all week prepping orders and designing new goods. I guess I will keep at it!<\/p>\n

In wet forming a knife sheath you basically take the leather and soak it, drape it over the knife, then use a bone folder proceed to work and stretch the leather into the exact shape of the knife. It makes for one very nice looking sheath that fits that exact knife perfectly. Almost too perfectly as you will see in the last video of this post! One trick to keep it from being too tight is to wrap the knife in a freezer bag before forming the leather around it.<\/p>\n

Originally I meant this to be more of a follow along instead of a tutorial, so if you are looking for a step-by-step procedure, hold yer horses for a bit until I have some time to throw one together. It’s a lot of fun to make and does not require too many tools.\u00a0 If you would like me to make one for your knife, multi-tool, or other item – they are now available in the shop here.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"designing<\/p>\n

Laying out the pattern for the sheath, I made sure there would be enough leather to stitch close to the knife as well as close to the edge of the leather. The belt holes are best placed a bit out from both by about 1\/2 inch.\"wet<\/p>\n

Using the front template I made a back template with a longer flap than needed so I can cut it down to fit when everything is put together.\"\"<\/p>\n

Above, I have cut out a larger than needed piece of 8\/9 oz leather, soaked it in warm water, screwed it to a piece of plywood, and pushed the knife down into it. Here you can also see the beginnings of forming and stretching the leather around the knife. I used a bone folder, a piece of deer antler, and a few modeling spoons.\"\"<\/p>\n

It takes a while to really get the shape in there, though it is a fun process. Almost like molding clay in many ways.<\/p>\n