I had two beautiful damascus knives made by Fred Rowe of Bethel Ridge Forge, an 11-1/2" long clip point bowie and a 9-1/2" dagger; both with scrimshawed white tail deer crows and a one of a kind spearpoint bowie with deer crown and buckeye burl handle by Mike Stewart of Bark River Knife and Tool. All three of the knives did not have sheaths...figure out where I am going with this? No? Well I talked to my friend, gentleman, and extraordinary sheathmaker, HELMAR, aka Sandy Morrissey. Today I received a big box from Sandy and well hey WOW, WOW, THEY ARE AWESOME!!!! Thank you all guys, but especially thank you Sandy. I hope my pictures may do a little justice to the art work that you have done with several pieces of leather, some thread, and many years of skill.

http://iwantthatknife.com/Gallery/albums/Custom-Sheaths/3_morrisseys.jpg

http://iwantthatknife.com/Gallery/albums/Custom-Sheaths/3_knives.jpg

http://iwantthatknife.com/Gallery/albums/Custom-Sheaths/bear_dagger.jpg

http://iwantthatknife.com/Gallery/albums/Custom-Sheaths/bowie.jpg

http://iwantthatknife.com/Gallery/albums/Custom-Sheaths/barkriver_morrissey.jpg

Sandy's comments: "The 11-1/2" bladed beauty is made of 7/8 oz. cowhide and carved in a serpentine type scroll that appears to be an overlay over stingray skin which is a simulation tooling background...The dagger...is my representation of English Engraving with a matted backgrou and is high lited which gives a deeper three dimensional effect." I'll say!!!

Thank you Fred, Mike, and especially you Sandy!

Beautiful knives and beautiful leather work.

Sandy, I wonder how many people know you cut those scroll patterns without a pattern Just cut them free hand with a swivel knife. now that, my friend is where experience has no match. Beautiful work my friend. Maybe, just maybe in ten more years and one day....you know what I mean.

Paul

Paul,

I wonder how many people know how much experience Sandy acutually has! Before I read his letter that accompanied the sheaths (and he included the scrollwork patterns too) I was amazed and thought that he used rayskin! I gave Sandy carte blanche to do what he wanted to do with the sheaths - he said he let the knife dictate the sheath - what Sandy has is a God given gift...awesome sheaths.

Amazing as usual. I for one know how much experience he has and his ability to freehand his carvings. I can spot his work a mile off and now Paul's as well.Sandy's skills are just on another level.Dave:101

Way to go Dad, I'll see you in a couple of weeks..... jc