I have a question not about how, but if. IOW, I notice some top makers simply give their work to Kenny Rowe or some other pro and have it done for them.

This makes sense for many reasons--more time to spend making knives, traditionally many societies divided up the tasks of forging, grinding, polishing, scabbard making, etc., better looking and performing sheaths, etc.

OTOH, I also like the idea of sole authorship, right down to the sheath.

So, for me, the jury is still out. What about the rest of you?

John

Well......I am a sole authorship guy...mainly because I am sure to get what I want and secondly because I really enjoy it....I do not enjoy making kydexsheaths as much as I used to and prefer leather sheaths for my knives even though kydex has it place...especially for neckknives.

I have no beef with the makers who send the knives out for sheaths...if I was living in the states I would probably have my kydex done by others...but the leatherwork goes nowhere...!

But as a customer I think many would like sole authorship.

I do my own leather because I don't view it as cost effective for me to do otherwise. I make a decent sheath, but because I currently lack the fancy tooling, they are not real fancy.
I am working on some neck knives, and it will be the first time I use kydex. Since I don't plan on using much kydex in the future, I am farming this work out.

Brett

Designing and making a fine sheath is just as rewarding to me as making a good blade. In many cases, the sheath is also an integral part of the package, without which the knife would not have near as much appeal. Putting together a complete "system" is a real pleasure, and I have no wish to farm any of it out. Purely selfish. :)

While I do not particularly enjoy leather work that much, I do however like the fact that my work is just that,MY work, so I make my own sheaths. They are not carved or really fancy, but they are nice and made to fit one at a time,

I make my own,no bells or whistles,just clean and solid.A compliment to the knife it was made for.;)

Well for my knives I offer two sheaths, either a leather one which I make myself, or a Concealex(kydex) sheath which I have farmed out to On Scene Tactical.
www.mnsi.net/~nbnoel
Eric at OST is a friend of mine who IMHO makes the best synthetic sheath going!

My leather sheaths are good hard working sheaths, nothing real fancy.

I think it is imparitave that a knifemakers offer a good sheath with their knives, whether it is made by them or not. For me it has meant the difference between selling and not selling many times.

Regards

Eric

BTW I think this topic was covered in another forum awile back either Newbies arena or general......

I have only ever bought 4 custom knives. I think next to knife design/material the biggest selling point was the maker made sheaths. To me it just said this guy cares about his knives.




ghostdog

WHAT DON SAID! TO ME, WHEN A MAKER, SMITH, PRODUCES HIS OWN LEATHERWORK, HE IS SAYING, I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY CRAFTMANSHIP.
KEN (WWJD)

Yep, I make the sheaths for my knives too. I would think it is as important to have a a good sheath as it is to have a good edge on the knife it is sheathing. It's just one of those things with me. If you make the knife make the sheath, or at the verry least have the sheath work farmed out. Don't leave the customer hanging with just a knife and no way to carry it.

Hi Guys...

Well,, interesting stuff...

Eric,, Thanks much for the vote I appreciate it Greatly..Always enjoy working with your blades...

As far as sheath/no sheath goes....

The practical end of having a sheathier make the rig for you is that it gives the maker more time to do what he does best,,make knives...

You guys know that a good sheath takes time,,sometimes alot of time..
Lets just say for instance that with ever 8-12 knives a custom sheathmaker does for you, can add at the Very,very least one entire day to your grinding time.

Whats a day or so of your grinding time worth to you ???

It takes me about an hour give or take to produce one sheath..I put alot of time into a sheath,when it's done,,it will add value to your knife, give your customer a multitude of carry options,,and indeed will help sell your knives...No matter the cost...


I'm a sheathmaker,it's what I do.

A custom sheath for your knives,really do help sell your knives,especailly when it's well done. The sheath is the ribbon on the box guys...

Your customers will appreciate a Great sheath,,no matter if it's done by you or not....

ttyle

Eric...