I've only made a few leather sheaths and need some advice on stitching. I'd like that "machine stitched look" if that makes sense. I used a 7 wheel and the thread is Tandy's 11210-04 Waxed Braided Cord, Beige. I used the two needle technique and was being very careful about stitching. It took me about 1 hour to do. But... I think it doesn't look tidy. Maybe the spacing is wrong for this size of thread? Maybe I am pulling too taught? Do I need to twist the thread before pulling taught? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks, Dan
Dan, I'm not an expert on leather work by any mean, but what I would do if I be you, is use a little wider stitches and pay a lot of attention on how hard you tie down every stitch. Obviously you need to apply same amount of force to each stitch. Do you make a knot on every stitch? I think it also helps... Your stitching looks really good - very straight and even spacing.
Thanks Roman. I am going to try my 8 wheel next time and make a hole every other mark. That would make for 0.250" spacing. I think the thread and the spacing needs to be in proportion. I did try to pull evenly every stitch. No, I do not tie a knot every stitch. Need to learn more on that. Dan
Don't forget to show us the results. I think when you make tie a knot on every stitch it helps to keep the stitches tied down when you are working on the next one, if you know what I mean. The previous stitches do not expand and loosen...
far from good and no expert by any means but I use a #8 wheel I believe it is and I skip a hole when drilling........ sheath has to be completely dry or it will pull and stretch for sure when stitching, waxed thread.....not braided for me it just grips the leather better I find....... black is not my first choice but these are a couple simple fold overs that were just shipped...........
Very nice Rob. Any chance you have pics of the back? I feel my belt loops need some rethinking.... donno. It could be me cause I am never happy with my work and my wife gives me the s@#t for it all the time. lol. There are just not very many pics of the back of sheaths to compare to.
Thanks Icho and a good question but I don't have a pic of the back , I should maybe start taking some in the future just for reference , I don't think I've ever taken a picture of the backs of a sheath......I could post a pic of the template for this sheath , that may help ? would should how the belt loop length and shape.......
Thanks Jim , the top one I made , it's a the bottom of a horse shoe that had bohrium on them , horse shoes used for gripping on ice , cut it off and welded to a punch , the other is a tool from Tandy , they have hundreds to choose from but aren't cheap , I'd rather make from scrap at penny's on the dollar ! Just made another one , a hex Alan key cutoff that I'll use as a punch for the border.....I'll post up a sample if your interested in seeing the pattern
OK, so I am not the greatest leatherwork guy, but willing to ask and learn. I took something Cal (FORGE) suggested and instead of a silicone basting brush I used a Q-tip. The Q-tip colour is darker (Medium Brown) than the first dye colour (Tan). Rolling the Q-tip...as it kinda falls apart makes a nice random streaking effect. You can see the Q-tip has pretty much come apart by the time I'd finished. I rolled it "longwise" if that makes sense, only lightly touching fluff with some medium brown dye as I was rolling. This gives an organic, mottled effect. This is the end result after the knife has been "fitted." I applied "Dubbin" inside and out, as I have no neatsfoot oil yet. Maybe I could use Roman's advice and further singe the leather around the openings. I am happy with the improvements. Not perfect, but leaps ahead of my last sheath. Thank you guys for helping out. Dan
For the best stitching us a lacing chisel and a stitching groover. First groove where you want the stitching, then chisel in the holes for sewing. Always perfect spacing is the result.
Daniels, Thanks for your input. I think the focus was the spacing pitch. I used a wheel for spacing. The question pertains to the stitches per inch. Am I stitching too tight at 8 per inch?
I use 6 myself, and I do a double running stitch. Always use a waxed thread. Dentel floss works really well too.
I have had others (sheath maker's forum) also suggest 6 stitches per inch. I will try it. Thanks! Dan
Yes, as will a good soak in Scope. LOL Roman suggested 50# braided fishing line. I have some coming in the mail. Will try and let y'all know. Some folks are using the tines on a common dinner fork to set the stitching pitch. I will hack a dinner fork. Hopefully the wife doesn't find it's missing! Dan
If you want, take a look at my stock at kingsleyarmoury.com where you can see what the 6 per inch, double running stitch looks like.
Dan, If this helps... I just got back into leather work after 20 or so years away. Been practicing from my old scrap leather bin and decided to make a new sheath for an old skinner I have. I used a diamond angle chisel with 4 mm spacing (6 stitches per inch). Holes are punched though 2 layers of 6 oz plus one layer of 9 oz.
