bimbo's leather work

bimbo · Post by **bimbo** » Sun May 03, 2015 6:11 pm

A few years ago I lost my pocket knife while out chasing foxes at one of the missedathons and a top bloke on here sent me a spare he had so while I am on a role with leather work I decided I would try my hand a leather forming and make a nice sheath for it.
First off I measured the widest parts of the knife and after adding a mm or 2 cut out a block of wood to those dimensions. The top side of the block is then rounded off as this is what the leather will be formed over. The block is then screwed to a larger piece of timber. Using the same dimensions and adding another 3mm to allow for the thickness of the leather cut out a negative - this goes over the form and wet leather to hold it all in place while the leather dries and sets in shape.

After cutting out an appropriately oversized piece of leather - I am using 2.5mm veg tan leather - the leather is then soaked in warm water for a minuet or 2 until it is soft and plyable. Using your fingers and then any hard smooth object work the leather over the form and into shape - the white thing in the pic is called a bone folder for anyone who cares

Once the shape is fairly tight against the form push the negative over the top and clamp down making sure the the leather remains in place

This is as far as I got today and now I will leave it like this for 24hrs or so and then is should be dry and hold its shape

Cheers
James

LoneRider · Post by **LoneRider** » Sun May 03, 2015 6:21 pm

nicely done.
good info.

onya bimbo.

Post by **MISSED** » Sun May 03, 2015 7:03 pm

I will have one with a loop for an along the belt carry

kickinback · Post by **kickinback** » Sun May 03, 2015 7:53 pm

Good work James. I always wondered how it was done.

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Sun May 03, 2015 7:57 pm

Wow, haven't seen a boning tool for quite some time. They are far more effective than most people think.

"Heck, I could use a bit of anything as a shaper". That just aint true.

Camel · Post by **Camel** » Sun May 03, 2015 8:16 pm

Eggsellent, as

would say. Knife came up well mate.

You been polishing it ?

bimbo · Post by **bimbo** » Sun May 03, 2015 9:07 pm

I gave it a polish up when I first received it, once it is a flash new sheath I will give the knife a once over again

While I was at it I decided I would like easy access to ammo when on the back of the ute spotlighting that is a bit more betterea than a handful of cartridges stuffed in my pocket. 20 rounds in a pouch on my belt should do it.
Same process as above just a different shaped buck/form

Cheers
James

Camel · Post by **Camel** » Sun May 03, 2015 10:15 pm

Now James, why is it that I can see you receiving a lot of knives over the next while, and just coincidentally they will be in need of a new sheath.

Doing good work mate. keep at it.

barryb · Post by **barryb** » Mon May 04, 2015 7:17 am

Really nice work there James & & I know where you live

As a matter of interest where do you source your leather from & any special reason for using veg tan ?
BarryB

bimbo · Post by **bimbo** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:34 am

Using veg tan pretty much because the internet told me that is what I should use

I think that chrome leather can rust knives due to retained salts from the tanning but only ever read that and never seen any actual examples or rusted pistols or knives. I think the veg tan will also take a stamp and form better but not 100%.

I have bought most of my tools from ebay, tandy leather and birdsall leather. The main leather I am using I bought from someone off ebay who bought it for a project that never happened - ended up with 2 single shoulders so enough for plenty of projects.

Gnome · Post by **Gnome** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:48 am

Top notch work coming along there mate. I can perhaps see some formed cheek risers in the future as well

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Mon May 04, 2015 8:52 am

The Gnome wrote:Top notch work coming along there mate. I can perhaps see some formed cheek risers in the future as well

I thought you already had some going by your avatar.

bigfellascott · Post by **bigfellascott** » Mon May 04, 2015 10:59 am

Very nice work there Bimbo.

bimbo · Post by **bimbo** » Mon May 04, 2015 6:48 pm

Out of the mold and a quick test fit.

In the ammo holder I am using the plastic insert bit out of the american eagle/federal factory 223 box because they are nice and compact and I have a few stuffed away in the safe.

All trimmed up, backs and belt loops cut and ready for dying. I will dye them both chocolate brown I think - black might look too tactard

Also a better (marginally) pic of the plastic ammo insert thingy

Cheers
James

bimbo · Post by **bimbo** » Mon May 04, 2015 9:22 pm

All dyed

Cheers
James

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