Every now and again the metal worker turns leather worker to make a sheath for his or her knife. Border stamps that come with stamp kits are mediocre at best. If you want something unique, then try making your own! Tools Required The tools required are very basic and common to most knifemaker's shops: Hacksaw Vise Files Needle file set Hammer Punch Drill & Bits (preferably drill press) Sandpaper Materials Any round stock, stainless rod is ideal as it won't rust when working on damp leather. Look for something in the 5/16" to 3/8" diameter which will work great. I happened to find some stainless rod from discarded crib at the dump. I marked and cut the rod into 4" pieces with a hacksaw. I finished the ends with a file just to clean them up after cutting. There are a few basic stamp end type I'll refer to. Round, square, rectangle and double-D Example of Double- D. STAMP #1: LIGHTNING BOLT I made this for no other reason than I think lightning bolts are cool and could make a good border stamp. I start with a fine tip permanent marker and draw a little lightning bolt on a round end. I then start working the lines with a triangle needle file, using the corner to cut then the flats to remove material outside the line. Memo here: The stamp will always appear backwards to how it looks when you are working on it. IMHO the lightning bolt should be going the other way, but I can live with it in reverse. STAMP #2: LEAF Leaves make good borders for all kinds of things. Organic in a way. So this was my next choice. I started with a simple sketch on a round end and worked the outside into a leaf shape. I am pretty sure that this will come in handy. STAMP #3: BUBBLE BLOCK Bubble Block started as a square end. Then I drilled some shallow random sized holes on the drill press.\ Continued due to image limit.... See Part II
Part II STAMP #4: BRANCH Hey, if Leaf gets a stamp then Branch is the next logical step. This was mostly worked with a chainsaw sharpening round file and a triangle needle file. STAMP #5: SCALLOPED LINE A simple border is often super effective. Nothing gets easier than a scalloped rectangle. Start with long rectangle and cut grooves across it with the round needle file. This certainly be a part of some handsome looking borders. STAMP #6: DOT CROSS Rectangles can make a strong border. This little guy started as a rectangle end. Drilled a single 5/64" hole. Then make cuts with the corner of the triangle needle file. Very effect and eye catching. (yes, wear your safety glasses kids.) STAMP #7: DEATH STAR I have no idea where this came from. It was very early in the morning. Started with a circle end and... Death Star emerges! STAMP #8: RANDOM IMPACT The sequel to Bubble Block. It was made by punch a round end with a centre punch. Random impacts and varying force puts a cool effect. Strike with centre punch. Touch the jagged bits up with sand paper. And here they are all together again. If you are lucky enough to have some genuine native Canadian wood (e.g. 2x4) you can drill some holes and make this awesome holder to complete your kit as shown below. Many other ideas came into my head while doing this, heating with a torch, whacking a file into one, bobby pins, using screw heads etc. Let your imagination take you where you want to go. All the best and happy stamping! Dan
