All About Pocket Knives

Hi Folks,

Ive toyed with the notion of running some classes about leather work over the years and never dipped my toes in the water. May have even posted here about it before. Anyway just looking for thoughts. Are there folks out there that would want such a thing spend a day make a sheath for your knife or learn the basics etc etc. I have no formal plan here just trying to learn some more and get peoples thoughts on if its even a thing. I have a strong belief that in this day and age we are missing out on making things with our own two hands. I think it is somewhat hardwired into us to make and create things. I may not be the best leather guy or maker out there but I do get satisfaction from creating and learning to be better at whatever i make. I also think many folks don't start cause they need some starting point like a class. I have also taught leather work for kids at summer camp for 6 summers a while back and enjoyed teaching. So any thoughts?

I have also considered before going and trying to set up classes with a fee, maybe running a day class for free for say 3 people and the trade off is the 3 people would take the class and we can talk about what works and what didn't. what a class like that would be worth etc. In return those three would end up with a sheath they made for a knife for sharing their thoughts. If nothing else might be a fun day to make something for me and 3 others.

Ok that is just my Sunday thought here, Im off to the shop.

Ross

Rossr wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 12:52 pmAre there folks out there that would want such a thing spend a day make a sheath for your knife or learn the basics etc etc.

Hi Ross - I’d be interested but I'm sure it would involve travel to your location which might make it logistically difficult and expensive. I’m taking a 16-week (4 hours/week) leather crafting class at my local community college for $180 that starts tomorrow https://brunswickcc-register.fundfive.c ... tion/26068. The students need to supply their own tools and leather but you can build wallets, sheaths, slips or whatever moves you.

The college had a hard time finding the minimum of six students to hold the class but the final student signed up at the 11th hour. To me, 64 hours of instruction/projects seems overkill for an introductory class but I have about 20 projects in mind including building sheaths for the knives I made in 2025.

Keep us updated, if logistics are reasonable, I may become a student of yours

The problem for many people would be having the basic tools, which people who dabble would balk at buying as they are expensive and many have no other use.

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 2:34 pm The problem for many people would be having the basic tools, which people who dabble would balk at buying as they are expensive and many have no other use.

I believe this was the largest inhibitor to getting students registered in the class that I'm in Jim. I used to teach fly tying and we ran into the same situation.

bestgear wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 2:05 pm

Rossr wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 12:52 pmAre there folks out there that would want such a thing spend a day make a sheath for your knife or learn the basics etc etc.

Hi Ross - I’d be interested but I'm sure it would involve travel to your location which might make it logistically difficult and expensive. I’m taking a 16-week (4 hours/week) leather crafting class at my local community college for $180 that starts tomorrow https://brunswickcc-register.fundfive.c ... tion/26068. The students need to supply their own tools and leather but you can build wallets, sheaths, slips or whatever moves you.

The college had a hard time finding the minimum of six students to hold the class but the final student signed up at the 11th hour. To me, 64 hours of instruction/projects seems overkill for an introductory class but I have about 20 projects in mind including building sheaths for the knives I made in 2025.

Keep us updated, if logistics are reasonable, I may become a student of yours

Tom sounds like a great opportunity there. Granted the barrier is providing your own tools and leather but still a good price point imo. Hope its a great class for you .

and yes you are well south of me im up in Pennsylvania

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 2:34 pm The problem for many people would be having the basic tools, which people who dabble would balk at buying as they are expensive and many have no other use.

For sure that is a barrier. I have what i need to have enough tools to provide to a small class to teach them. I suspect there are folks that might want to learn some as a way of seeing is this something i Like. Some will choose to jump in maybe after that. But to me an advantage perhaps is you could make a sheath learn something new and you only need to show up . If you never make anything again so be it your only cost was whatever I would charge for a class. Thanks for the thoughts this is what Im looking for is thoughts on is these even feasible, leather craft is in some way a dying art but if we dont share teach and pass along knowledge then it for sure will never continue. But thankfully there are people teaching passing it along via you tube and other places.