Thread: Playing with leather

I'm not sure if this is the right place but after a multitude of requests (ok, ..two nearly!) I have some photos of some of my leather creations. As I have said I am not a trained professional and these were all made on my lounge floor utilizing the most up-to-date technology available at the time ...ie a big arse heavy pile of books as a clamp , a craft knife and one of the kids plastic rulers , a biro for marking and edge smoothing/burnishing , a drill press (for drilling) , hole punches , the missus's hair dryer , and a teaspoon ...... and way to much time on my hands .
Frankly after writing that I'm amazed anything actually worked out as well as it did..!
This whole thing started when I couldn't find a sheath for my BK7 knife so decided to make one....

The same sheath from the back...
I decided to make the sheath itself as a separate stand alone part then add a sleeve around that which a separate belt loop is then bolted to as the sown in belt loops always seem to be the first thing that fails. Also the loop can be simply swapped out for different lengths or replaced by a strip for mounting on molle bags etc , or a dangler mount added to the loop as in these photos or remove the loop and slide your belt through for scout type horizontal carry. This theme continued in all the sheaths. Note the two holes halfway down the strap.....

These two holes are to mount this second wee knife in its own separate sheath...just screw on and off as needed....

These next ones I made for the families knives...

They look excellent. Nice work. Many hours I’d imagine

These were a lockdown boredom buster. I had an old knife kicking around and found an old antler in the shed and made the handle then decided to make a sheath as well...then thought bugger it I'll have a crack at pouches so made a matching set. This time there is no stitching involved and instead decided to experiment with lacing them together. I used kangaroo leather for that. Everything I made I have used 3-3.5 mm thick russet leather which I wet mold to suit each knife/item for a perfect fit. For example the sheath for the Bk7has no"safety strap" but you can turn it upside down and shake the shit out of it but knife stays put. There's an audible click as the knife is withdrawn or put into the sheath. The beads on this sheath and pouches I also made from antler. The texturing I have added was to try and replicate the antler texture of the handle and was done by wetting the leather and using...you guessed it...a teaspoon! That wonderful tool is also handy for molding the leather around the knife handles etc...

Then there's the ammo holders on my rifles...
The lever action has a suede cheek piece laced on to pamper my cheek as my shoulder gets the crap kicked out of it!

This is a scabbard for the 45/70 lever action I have made to be strapped to my pack with the muzzle end in the drink bottle holder which still allows fast access to the rifle...also moulded to the shape of the rifle and suede lined on the inside and kangaroo leather laced together...no stitching involved.

Very nice work, well done

And finally some other small items..ammo holder that slides on to a sling , a wet molded belt mounted torch holder/pouch , and a hatchet blade cover...l also made some fishing knife sheaths out of old drainpipe that aren't affected by salt water that are also molded to the knife which clicks into place...

So there is the proof that any old idiot such as myself can watch a few you tube videos and make stuff with the bare minimum of tools if you are determined enough and have to much spare time. The only special tools l had to buy were the setting tool for the dome poppers which was cheap as chips , basically just a punch , and needles with a big enough eye for the heavy duty thread to go through. The stitching is all done by hand in saddle stitch style (more you tube video training) . If you have ever thought of giving it a go I would recommend trying it. If I can do it anyone can and very satisfying doing it yourself.....enjoy🤗

Saleable, so why dont you.

I was one of the two and I thank you sir
That's awesome work, I can't believe this is your opening / beginning work, its terrific

Would you mind sharing the sites that you as beginner found most useful for your knife and leather work projects?

Very nice indeed. I particularly like the boot on the butt of the lever action.

Choice as !