What leather thickness for large knife?

[alexkuzn]

I have a large knife - 15" total length.
The only leather I have 7-8 oz.
Is it too thin for such a large knife?

Thanks,
Alex

[Mike T.]

Originally Posted by alexkuzn

I have a large knife - 15" total length.
The only leather I have 7-8 oz.
Is it too thin for such a large knife?
Thanks,
Alex

For me it would be way too thin. I'd use 10oz for sure.

[rayban]

I believe it depends on what style of knife it is, and how, and how much are you going to use it. There are spacers, welts, etc. to consider, but again that depends on what style of knife it is.
If nothing else, use the leather you have available, see how it turns out, and go from there.
The first sheath you make for this knife will probably not turn out perfect, so why not "practice" on leather you have on hand??
Just my thoughts...
RG

[benjammin]

I'd say 7-8 oz is too thin for a working sheath for a knife that size. I have a couple that large, and I wouldn't use anything less than 10-12 oz, without adding some sort of backing.

Something I've been toying with is the notion of backing thinner leather with sealed rawhide. This is something along the same lines as using Kydex inserts in Cordura sheaths on large blades to maintain the requisite rigidity and durability. Done right, I am betting that rawhide can be "wet set" and allowed to dry, then waterproofed. Then the finished leather outside of the sheath can be applied to the outside of the rawhide and the whole thing bound as per normal sheath construction. The result ought to be a fairly rigid and durable sheath that is not too bulky. You could instead double up the thinner leather you got for more or less the same effect, hardening the inner section as appropriate, but that would be less frugal I would think than using the rawhide inside.

The only downside I can think of is the rawhide inside might be a bit abrasive on a knife finish over time.

[Ed Caffrey]

This subject is something that has always intrigued me. I personally will not make a sheath with anything less than 9-10oz leather, and for larger knives of bowies size 10-11oz is a must. The way I look at is.......
If you purchase a cadillac, your gona want to park it in a nice, sturdy garage, not under a picnic awing. The same should hold true for a knife. If you take the time and effort to create a nice knife, why package it in a cheesy sheath made of flimsy leather? To me its just part of the Overall Package.

[Sandy Morrissey]

I generally use 7/8 ounce for nearly every thing except the very small knives. Where the sheath does not appear to have sufficient bulk, I will add a stiffener of 7/8 oz on either the front or on an extended belt loop on the back. This eliminates having to maintain a large supply of the heavier leathers. I feel that using 10/12 oz leather is a little overkill on most sheaths. Of course this is just an opinion--------Sandy