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The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum This is the place to discuss all forms of sheath and holster making. |
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#1
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Sheath or Scabbard - Difference?
I figure this is probably one of those 'dumb questions' but..........
What's the difference between a sheath and a scabbard? Is a sheath 'soft' (like leather) and a scabbard 'hard' like wood or kydex? Does scabbard imply anything about blade length, as in 'sword'? :confused: |
#2
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dont worry about it being a dumb question.
sheaths are usually softer (like you said) and could be cordura, leather, and I usually consider kydex and plastic as sheaths. Scabbards are hard, and could be metal or wood, or even a hard leather. Scabbards are usually for larger blades, but not always, usually because larger blades often entail the knife being "nicer" and ncier knives usually have nicer sheaths/scabbards. I suppose sheath and scabbard are interchangable, more a matter of preference, but to me, sheath is soft, or plyable, scabbard is hard, and can be used to whack someone in the face |
#3
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Main Entry: scab?bard
Pronunciation: 'ska-b&rd Function: noun Etymology: Middle English scaubert, from Anglo-French escaubers : a sheath for a sword, dagger, or bayonet Main Entry: sheath Pronunciation: 'shEth Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural sheaths /'shE[th]z, 'shEths/ Etymology: Middle English shethe, from Old English scEath; akin to Old High German sceida sheath and perhaps to Latin scindere to split 1 : a case for a blade (as of a knife) As you can see by the MW Dictionary scabbard is essentially just another term for a sheath although perhaps more specific, but a dagger is a knife so..... Personally I call a case for a a knife interchangeably a sheath or a scabbard, but more often than not call a case for a sword a scabbard. Hardness really doesn't play a factor in my mind since leather can be formed as hard as wood or kydex by using the ancient cuir bouilli method and I make most of my knife sheaths stiff if not hard. Another instance - WWI and WWII bayonet "scabbards" were all made of leather and are all hard/stiff. On another note the verb form is always sheathe - the verb form of sheath - you never hear of someone "scabbarding" their sword - they sheathe it. __________________ Chuck Burrows Hand Crafted Leather & Frontier Knives dba Wild Rose Trading Co Durango, CO chuck@wrtcleather.com www.wrtcleather.com The beautiful sheaths created for storing the knife elevate the knife one step higher. It celebrates the knife it houses. |
#4
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And of course some still refer to knife cases as "holsters" . And, yes, I'm sure there is a transitive verb "to holster"
Mike __________________ Trying to become the kind of man my dog thinks I am http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft...E4E363B}&tio=0 |
#5
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Yep - as in "...and then he holstered his Colt."
__________________ Chuck Burrows Hand Crafted Leather & Frontier Knives dba Wild Rose Trading Co Durango, CO chuck@wrtcleather.com www.wrtcleather.com The beautiful sheaths created for storing the knife elevate the knife one step higher. It celebrates the knife it houses. |
#6
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Sheath or scabbbard------?
It has always been my impression that "scabbard" was used when referring to blades of a military nature--- sword, cutlass, rapier, poniard, dagger, bayonet,etc.! ---Sandy---
__________________ Martin (Sandy) Morrissey Master Leather Craftsman 1105 Stephens Road Blairsville, GA 30512 706-379-1621 |
#7
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I don't know if you noticed, but you replied to a 15 year old post. I understand Sandy is still around, but Chuck passed away several years ago.
If you look at the etymology of the terms, scabbard comes from French while sheath comes from Old English (Germanic). When the Normans conquered England in 1066, the ruling class became French, and spoke French for a long time. Many words in modern English evolved out of this disparity. For example, the names of animals were Germanic - e.g., swine, sheep, cow - while the names of food were French - pork, mutton, beef. Depended on whether you were the class that raised food, or the class that got to enjoy it. Ruling class folks had serious blades - with scabbards, lower class had knives - with sheaths. __________________ God bless Texas! Now let's secede!! |
#8
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Go TJ!
That's about the way a discussion that Dad (Sandy) and I had a few years back went. Bottom line is it's what one wants to call it. I still have gut grumblings when someone calls them a "holster" though. Seems most prevalent thought is differential between soft and hard, but have seen plenty of museum pieces - swords, rapiers, etc. - with soft floppies dressed with metal throats and tips. Probably one of those conversational topics best suited for folks that can't catch fish. Bite is on! __________________ Carl Rechsteiner, Bladesmith Georgia Custom Knifemakers Guild, Charter Member Knifemakers Guild, voting member Registered Master Artist - GA Council for the Arts C Rex Custom Knives Blade Show Table 6-H |
#9
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Although this post was started fifteen years ago, it seems like yester.day, During that time a beloved friend, Chuck Bujrrows, has passed away. I recently had the occasion to visit Carl Rechsteiner, as a man I have been proud to refer to as "my son" He calls me "Dad" ---------------------It has been years since i was a moderator on this forum and I have missed it and desire to resume contact----Sandy
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#10
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Sandy!! Always so good to hear from you!!
Yeah, I miss Chuck. One time I asked him about a problem I was having with some leather project. I sent him pictures and he called me on the phone. He said, "Well, I could spend an hour or two telling you about all the idiot things you're doing wrong, or you could just throw that out and I'll tell you how to start the right way." I listened to his advice and later I realized that 2 hours might not have covered listing my stupidity! __________________ God bless Texas! Now let's secede!! |
#11
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Hey Dad, always a great visit no matter how brief. Glad you found the "on" button on your computer. Been sorely missed around here.
Scout really enjoyed getting to sit down and chat with my special mentor and good friend. He values the knowledge and conversations with his elders more than any other young man I know. Best part is he retains and learns from all of it. __________________ Carl Rechsteiner, Bladesmith Georgia Custom Knifemakers Guild, Charter Member Knifemakers Guild, voting member Registered Master Artist - GA Council for the Arts C Rex Custom Knives Blade Show Table 6-H |
#12
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Where to buy best machete sheath?
Which one Best machete sheath for my new Machete
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a, art, back, bee, blade, blades, common, craftsman, dagger, england, holster, knife, knives, make, metal, post, repair, sand, scabbard, sheath, sheaths, sheep, tips, tool, tools |
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