File Sheath

[gundy]

I have had some good leather and some tools for a while now and have only just started to play around with them.

I purchased a good Bhaco second cut file and made a handle out of a cast fallow antler I found last year, then using the tools, made a leather sheath to hang from my back quiver.

All hand sown (hand stitch). Will look at making one for my knives I made when they are back from heat treat.

I had a 'dingo paw (wolf paw) stamp handy which I will make as the logo.

Good fun!

[Coach]

Pretty neat SEWING there Gundy Thats what usually lets a lot of peoples work down , is messy sewing .

[Stickbow Hunter]

Nice work mate!!!

Jeff

[gundy]

Thanks gents.

I marked a recessed groove around the edge and then used a stitch marking tool coach, which gives you marks to awl the holes to. Then glued and hand stitched. Couple of brass rivets, a wet mold and away silver!

[Shadow]

I just use my drill press and a 2mm drill bit for making holes (after using a stitching groover and stitch wheel to mark the places to drill), But then I'm usually working at thicker (layered) leathers for knife sheathes, sometimes up to about 10mm. Hand awling is difficult then to say the least.
Nice job by the way, looks great!

[Hood]

Sweet job Gundy.
thats one way to make a file look more trad

[gundy]

I have a drill press. 2mm you say? I will try that...my hands still hurt.

[Crowcreek2]

Very nice mate, will be looking out for it this weekend!!

Phill

[gundy]

Crow, just been finishing up some arra's....

I have lots to show n tell!!!!!!!

bring on the Sambar!

[jindydiver]

I use a drill press as well. Just remember to turn up the speed a fair bit so it doesn't grab and twist your work while it drills. And the groove first is important to keep the drill bit nice and straight and stop a wandering stich hole

[Shadow]

I have a drill press. 2mm you say? I will try that...my hands still hurt.

I found that a 2mm drill hole was the best size when using a 'Saddle Stitch' although it is a little harder to get the needles through on the second run (I always double stitch my work). 1mm is too small and 3mm holes are too close together using my stitching wheel as my guide. Yours might be a larger rowl though, in which case 3mm might be ideal, too big a hole though, will look like shite on the finished job, so try it on some scrap first. I also use a pair of pliers (Leatherman...Never leave home without it!) to pull the needles through on the second run. Small needles with large eyelets are easier to get through but I broke my last one by not pulling it through on a straight line.

Anyway I hope all this is a little help for the next job on your list.

Mick

[TomW]

I'm not really in a position to offer advice to good leather craftsmen but I assume when you are handstitching with an awl, that you have wet and softened the leather first?

My grandfather used to do a lot of handstitching in leather and that is what he used to do, and he always ended up with a neat job and hands not too tired.

Hope this helps