Grit

Fashion a Leather KNIFE SHEATH

No fixed blade is complete without a proper sheath. A sheath will prevent your knife from accidentally cutting or stabbing you or another object when it’s not in use. It’ll also protect the edge from damage, and cushion the knife from any impact that could occur from a drop. A sheath will help you take your knife wherever you want to go.

The natural feel and durability of leather makes it one of my favorite sheath materials. The following instructions from my book, A Modern Guide to Knifemaking, will show you how to make a simple and effective leather sheath.

Tools & Materials

▪ Scissors▪ Utility knife▪ Scratch compass▪ Drill press or awl▪ 1⁄16-inch drill bit▪ Wood file▪ Pliers▪ Belt sander▪ Spacer set▪ Ruler▪ Pencil▪ Graph paper▪ 7- to 8-ounce vegetable-tanned leather▪ Tape▪ Contact cement▪ Artificial sinew▪ Harness sewing needles▪ Matches▪ Sanding belts (60- and 200-grit)▪ Plastic wrap▪ Leather dressing

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