Now Pat's mini Bowie knife

[Pat B]

I picked up my mail today and was pleasantly surprised with one piece of mail in particular. Looky what Dana sent me!    This knife needed a sheath so I thought I'd try a build along. Last year after the Classic, Colene(some of ya'll know Colene) sent me a box of scrap leather so I picked a nice piece of chocolate brown oil tanned leather for the sheath.
 To start with I made a pattern using a piece of stiff paper. Then I traced it on to the leather and cut it out with a utility knife. I used a lasing chisel to pre-punch the stitching holes and sewed the sheath together using a saddle stitch. For this type of stitching I cut a piece of artificial sinew and threaded a harness needle(blunt point) on each end of the thread. For a saddle stitch you push both needled through the same hole form opposite sides, pull it tight and move on to the next hole. Also, with knife sheaths I like to add a welt between the two sides being stitched to protect the stitching from the blade.
  I'll post a few pics them explain more after.........

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[Pat B]

...after the stitching is complete I trim the excess leather along the stitching and grind it smooth on the belt sander. This edge will have bees wax added and burnished for a nice finished look....

[Pat B]

...oops, forgot the pics....   Before I go any further I want to be sure the knife fits the sheath after its sewn.  I haven't decided if I want a belt loop or a flap to cover the handle so for now I left it the way it is. I will probably make it a neck knife.
  The last 3 pics are the completed(for now) sheath.       Pat

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[huntertrapper]

look sgood. what are ya gonna use it for?

[Pat B]

 Another handy tool that I used to cut the welt and for cutting lace, straps and belts is the draw gauge. This one is wood and a uses a single edge razor and is adjustable for different width cuts. The tool with the wood handle is an edge bevel tool. It takes a cut edge and takes the sharp cut edge off. This gives a nice finished look on all exposed edges.     Pat

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[Pat B]

Huntertrapper, I wanted a neck knife for hunting. I hunt mostly from a tree stand and at my age I'm always thinking about having to escape from my safety harness if I fall. This should help me get out of the harness if necessary. Also it is a convenient size and will be handy, as a neck knife, for 3D shoots and hunting.    Pat

[huntertrapper]

hey thats a good idea sir. no know when you might need it. looks good

[Pat B]

...it will also make a good steak knife at hunting camp.    One can never have too many knives.     Pat

[huntertrapper]

yes, i agree to that.

[DanaM]

Pat glad to see it likes its new home The sheath is great, I see I need more tools for leather working
I made my first sheath today will post pics eventuallity.

[Pat B]

Dana, you don't need many leather tools but there are a few that make the difference.     Pat

[DanaM]

Oh no Pat you can never have enough tools Like that draw gauge and the beveler ya have there., nice old tools
look to be better quality than the modern stuff.

[Justin Snyder]

Nice Pat, that one is small enough to hide in your beard.  Justin

[John K]

Looks nice Pat ! I need to get me one of those lasing chisels, i punch all my holes with a hand awl  looks like the chisel would be much quicker.

[Pat B]

former, The lacing chisels are great. This particular one has 8 blades and is good for long straight runs. I have a 3 blade and 4 blade and they are more practical for small projects. I misplaced them during the Christmas clean up for house guests.   
   Justin, I need one a bit smaller for that.        Pat