All About Pocket Knives

What do knife collectors want in leather goods? Sheaths are a thing be it for fixed blades or folders. Belt sheaths, pouch sheaths etc etc. For some knife slips to protect the knife in your pocket. Maybe a belt for the sheath to go on too.

But what else maybe I just dont know what knife collectors might want in leather. Let's hear it folks.

Ross

Ps: the leather knife roll I made got me thinking about what folks might want!

Not much leather involved but I prefer short leather lanyards for back pocket carry. The ones I like best are soft leather, narrow enough to pass through a knife’s lanyard hole (or bail), with a split cut into one end so the other end can be threaded back through it after passing it through the hole in the knife. Then tie a knot or two in the end that hangs out of the pocket. Hope that makes sense.

Some might like a couple of beads or some other do-dad, but I’m a minimalist so I just tie a knot in mine. I’ve looked for something on-line but haven’t found anything that doesn’t have a skull or some such on it, so usually end up just making my own crude version.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Mon Oct 26, 2020 1:20 am Not much leather involved but I prefer short leather lanyards for back pocket carry. The ones I like best are soft leather, narrow enough to pass through a knife’s lanyard hole (or bail), with a split cut into one end so the other end can be threaded back through it after passing it through the hole in the knife. Then tie a knot or two in the end that hangs out of the pocket. Hope that makes sense.

Some might like a couple of beads or some other do-dad, but I’m a minimalist so I just tie a knot in mine. I’ve looked for something on-line but haven’t found anything that doesn’t have a skull or some such on it, so usually end up just making my own crude version.

Ken

I think I follow. The one on pictures is in a k ife I carry. That's just some leather lace 1/8" slip.ir through and just an overhand knot.

The other pic I just tried what I think u mean on a scrap piece of oil tan. Curious if I got it right

Ross

That’s pretty much it. I have a couple like those, and one that has loops tied around it. Not much leather involved but might be a way to make a little money out of scrap.

Here’s a couple of pictures I just took. These are only about 4 inches long. The one on the fixed blade is longer and made to loop around your wrist.

Ken

I need a wallet and a coin purse, leather that is a bit soft, not stiff as a belt.
kj

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Mon Oct 26, 2020 2:05 am That’s pretty much it. I have a couple like those, and one that has loops tied around it. Not much leather involved but might be a way to make a little money out of scrap.

Here’s a couple of pictures I just took. These are only about 4 inches long. The one on the fixed blade is longer and made to loop around your wrist.

Ken

nice knives! There are some real fancy braided lanyards folks make too I've seen. The ones around the wrist I've seen with a bead so you can slide it up to tighten around your wrist. Never much like that but that's just me.

kootenay joe wrote: ↑Mon Oct 26, 2020 4:14 am I need a wallet and a coin purse, leather that is a bit soft, not stiff as a belt.
kj

Lot of styles and types out there. Softer leather then I assume you mean like a solid leather veg tan belt? Change purses can easily be made from soft leather wallets I suspect some stiffness helps. I've made a few over the years. Pic is of a simple triangle change holder.

If you wish drop me a line we can chat.

Ross

If you are not already, these pancake type knife belt sheaths were always good sellers for me when I was in the leather business 40 years ago. The tan one shown fits a trapper. The black one fits a plier tool, which always come with poor quality belt sheaths that wear out quickly. I made a wide variety of leather that was generally based on hunting/shooting sports. Naturally, holsters were probably my main product, the old west style being the most common. Back in that day which was before SASS cowboy shooting got started, black powder clubs were very popular. Most everyone around this area carried their Colt Walker, Dragoon, Army, or Navy in one of my double loop holsters. I will picture some other products that made up special runs for particular customers. Leather belt buckles were so commonly ordered that I had a "cookie cutter" clicker die made to cut the blank, which measures 4 inches by 3 inches. This die was used with a hand press to cut the parts. Shown is the rivet type belt attachment that fastened to the back. I used to make hundreds of these, based on what the customer ordered. I would have a zinc cast embossing die made by a local company to emboss the customers design onto the buckle. This thin zinc casting was quite fragile, but when epoxied to a piece of 3/8" steel plate was durable enough to emboss wet leather deeply. I would then ink the recessed areas with permanent draftsmans ink and edge stitch the buckle with my American Straight needle stitcher. I made a big bunch of these for a local tractor pull event back in the day which sold very well. And since it takes a small piece to make a belt buckle, it is a good way to use up scrap from other projects.
I also made quite a few of these trapshooter shell bags that would hold up to 10 boxes of 12 gauge ammo. This is an example of my most deluxe model, fully basketweaved with embossed flap, and fully suede lined. Probably a big ticket item that may not sell today though. I can say I know what you are talking about, having walked in those same shoes 40 years ago. It is tough to make money in that area. Back at that time also is when Uncle Mikes nylon holsters were becoming popular, it was tough to compete with that.
The thin stainless steel survival tool fit inside another belt buckle that I made and sold at gunshows back in the day. The bottom two buckles are ones that I still wear today, thus the beat up appearance. If you make the two pieces from 8-9 ounce leather, they are actually quite durable. Anyway, these a just few examples of things that I used to make from leather and sell at gunshows that I still have today. And also I was a knife dealer selling pocket knives mostly. Old Cutler was my best selling line back then.

All wonderful OC but that shell carrier is awesome!

OC. I agree all is nice but the shotgun shell carrier is top notch. Nice basketweave work there it takes a lot to get a consistent result like that.

Really appreciate your thoughts and comments. I dont think much has changed from 40 years ago. Still a tough gig. But it's a lot of fun and you can make some wonderful things that will last and last. Which you know.

With all the cheaply.made gear from abroad too it's hard to justify costs of quality leather work for most folks. Custom knives I make are the same thing I usually scare folks when they learn prices . Most are used to walmart pricing. I get it.

Heres a bag I made to carry my carving tools I mess around making spoons and such sometimes. Just the material cost in it is a lot but the carving lacing etc I would hate to run what I'd have to charge to duplicate it.

I've never seen an american striaght needle stitcher in person but looks like it lays down a nice stitch. I'm lucky to have a campbell Randal needle awl machine that's makes a nice stitch too. Can sew which stuff like sheaths and holsters too

Again, i am in awe of the talent of so many of the members here. Now it is with leather work. Thank you both for showing some of your creations.
I have no sense of design or artistry. I just heard a program about some people have no "mind's eye", they cannot visualize something by thinking about it. That's me.
Sometimes i might see a leather wallet or coin purse that i instantly like but i cannot recall or create a design myself.
I bet there are a few others here who can identify as being similar. It affects a minority of people but is not 'rare'.
kj

Well said Roland .

I am a looker and appreciated as well Roland. My talent is admiring it in others.

Rossr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 26, 2020 5:06 pm I've never seen an american striaght needle stitcher in person but looks like it lays down a nice stitch. I'm lucky to have a campbell Randal needle awl machine that's makes a nice stitch too. Can sew which stuff like sheaths and holsters too

Wow, that is a nice tool bag. I never really did much floral carving, mostly animals. The American Straight needle does indeed produce a very nice stitch. It would handle multiple layers of leather up to about 3/4" thick. It was originally designed to use waxed linen thread, but it also worked good with dry nylon or polyester thread. Only drawback was the throat is not very deep, but most leather stitching is done on edges anyway. I sold my Am. Str. needle years ago and now the few things I make for my own use are hand stitched. I still get a kick out of going to local gunshows and occasionally seeing things that I made 40 years ago for sale.

Thanks.for the kind words folks.

Rossr wrote: ↑Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:45 pm Thanks.for the kind words folks.

I happened to find one of those belt buckles in a drawer the other day. That was the one for carrying the one piece stainless steel survival tool that I mentioned above. Pictured below. Note the thumb notch on the backside to allow easy removal from the buckle while wearing.

That's a neat and interesting concept right there

R

Hi, going thru an old shed I found some short lengths of new leather rolled up but not tightly. Circa 1960, I'm thinking to make it flat and workable I will need to put lot's of Neats Foot oil on it and weight it down. Or a better method? I also kept the new shoe heels that are factory wire wrapped. I do have a book binders type press or stack books. About how long? Also lots of hanging horse tack and collors that has been exposed to years of rain due to a collapsed roof. Worth rescuing?
Thanks

What do you mean by new leather? If you mean it has been tanned but has never been worked I wouldn't put neatsfoot oil on it until after you make something out of it. Reason being, if you need to wet mold a holster or whatever you make, or tool it, the oil will interfere with that.

My neighbors father always farmed with a team of horses and these pieces have had a few portions cut off likely for repairs. so probably before vegitaned. They are around ten inch wide, loosely rolled and string tied and dusty dirty and likely stiff. Sort of like good for a knife sheath and I can measure the thickness. He passed in early 1960's. We found them over the weekend while going thru the estate.

dusty, filthy but still easily flexed. More than one piece. loosely rolled 8 inch by 10 inch wide leather. The new wire wrapped shoe soles. Thickness is a nickle and quarter stacked together. 1/8th in or 4 mm thick, I believe you rate it in lbs. Free is good!