MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE
Custom Knives | Other Knives | General Items
-------------------------------------------
New Posts | New PhotosAll Photos



Go Back   The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions > Custom Knife Discussion Boards > The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum

The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum This is the place to discuss all forms of sheath and holster making.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-05-2013, 08:02 AM
Bowman Bowman is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 172
Stitch on Backside of Sheath

Can anyone give me some advice on stitching when it comes to the back side of the sheath?

I used a drill press with a brass nail to drill stitching holes and I found the offside holes to push out and be out of alignment. I tried running a stitching groove after the holes were drilled to help the stitch lay down as it does on the front. I can see this wouldn't be a problem with a sewing machine. It bothers me that it's not nearly as clean as the front side stitch. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Brett
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-05-2013, 03:13 PM
Doug Lester Doug Lester is offline
Hall of Famer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Decatur, IL
Posts: 2,612
My off hand idea is that the work is not laying flat on the drill press stage. I have a board that I clamp to the stage that has two holes in it. One is in the center for work that lays flat easily. The second is right at the edge for things that won't. Like folded over pouch sheaths.

Another problem could be that the stage of you drill press is not square with the needle. Chuck the nail that you use and check with with a square to make sure it's at 90?.

One more thing that it could be is that the nail is flexing in the work. Get a heavy steel needle, something like a drapery needle and see if that helps. A package might run you a couple of bucks at a hobby or sewing store.

If it's just one a few holes you can correct it with a awl and a tooling spoon. Both cheap and available at leather work supply sites. Go into the hole from the front side and straighten the hole into the groove on the back. Then use the tooling spoon to work over the stray hole a bit to cover it up. Just be sure you come out the right hole when you stitch the sheath.

Doug


__________________
If you're not making mistakes then you're not trying hard enough
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-05-2013, 03:54 PM
argel55 argel55 is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Chandler, Oklahoma
Posts: 238
I used to use a stitch marking wheel to run back over the holes before I put a groove down them. To me at least it forced the leather back down into the hole instead of being pushed out.
Do you run the drill press when you are making holes? It burnished the hole better if it is on.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-05-2013, 04:28 PM
Bowman Bowman is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 172
Thanks for the advice. It makes a little more sense now, so I'll make a platform of sorts to support the leather better as the nail/needle is pushing through. The stitching wheel is not a bad idea either. I used it to push the stitching itself down and clean it up. Yes, I do run the drill press and it makes a nice looking entry hole. I'll have to make a few adjustments to the process.

Thanks again

Brett
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-05-2013, 07:42 PM
sheathmaker's Avatar
sheathmaker sheathmaker is offline
Skilled
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kerrville, Texas
Posts: 628
I think you'll get better results if you do one of several things......

1. Replace your brass nail with a real sewing machine needle, a heavy needle size 25 or larger. Just chuck it up in your drill press like you do for the nail. DO NOT run the drill press if you use the needle route.

2. Replace you brass nail with a steel rod ground and polished like an ice pick. Make sure it's polished and smooth. Okay to run the drill press with this method.

3. with either method use a little bee's wax or paraffin wax on the needle or awl fairly frequently to lubricate the process.

And pay close attention to the previous advice about being sure the article is flat or supported to insure an even line on the back.

Paul


__________________
Basic Pouch Sheaths and Advanced Blade sheaths DVDs are available at www.chriscrawfordknives.com ***New third DVD available at the same web site***


Paul Long-- 108 Briarwood Ln. W.-- Kerrville, Texas 78028-- Ph. 830 367 5536--- pfl@cebridge.net
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-05-2013, 08:20 PM
Brad Johnson Brad Johnson is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Ponchatoula, LA
Posts: 168
I use a sharpened 5/64th HSS drill bit with paraffin. If your sheath is not flat you will never get a good line on the backside. Many makers use boards with various cutouts to allow their style sheath to lay down flat. Hope this helps.


__________________
Brad Johnson
LTC, Ret
KMG since 1991
[IMG]Click for information...[/IMG]
http://bradjohnsonknives.blademakers.com/
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-05-2013, 08:25 PM
metal99 metal99 is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 859
Besides what's covered already the only things I do differently is use a small drill bit to drill the holes. I don't stitch groove the back side but I dampen the back when I sew. Then after its done I dampen it again and force the thread deeper with a burnishing tool. I'm no pro but it works for me.


__________________
J, Saccucci Knives, JSK
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-06-2013, 02:36 AM
TexasJack's Avatar
TexasJack TexasJack is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Southeast Texas
Posts: 2,919
When you use a drill bit, you are removing leather. An awl, or the alternatives suggested by Paul, opens up a hole with a minimum amount of the leather being cut and widens by temporarily compressing the leather. After stitching, the holes can be "set" by tapping with a hammer or using a stitching wheel to bring pressure on the area. The leather then holds the thread tightly.


__________________
God bless Texas! Now let's secede!!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-07-2013, 06:03 AM
BarryC's Avatar
BarryC BarryC is offline
Steel Addict
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Davidson, NC
Posts: 204
I know exactly what you are talking about! I have started grooving the front side and laying out the holes with a stitching wheel. Then I will use a sharp awl and start the holes as straight as possible. Then chuck up a sharpened piece of steel rod and tun on the drill. The rod should seat into the awl hole an help you get the backside holes lines up. Takes a little practice but it really helped me. One tip is to run a small scrap piece of leather up the rod to cover the chuck so if you push too hard and the sheath runs all the way up it doesn't mar the sheath.


__________________
Barry Clodfelter

Proud member of PETA....People Eating Tasty Animals
There is a place for all of God's creatures...right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-08-2013, 09:02 PM
metal99 metal99 is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 859
Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasJack View Post
When you use a drill bit, you are removing leather. An awl, or the alternatives suggested by Paul, opens up a hole with a minimum amount of the leather being cut and widens by temporarily compressing the leather. After stitching, the holes can be "set" by tapping with a hammer or using a stitching wheel to bring pressure on the area. The leather then holds the thread tightly.
That completely makes sense, I will have to try that out next time.


__________________
J, Saccucci Knives, JSK
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
advice, back, blade, brass, drill, edge, flat, hammer, hand, hobby, holster, leather, leather die, leather tooling, make, press, sheath, sheaths, steel, stitch, store, supply, tanning


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Stitch trav The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum 3 06-17-2009 05:47 PM
Better stitch groovers alexkuzn The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum 6 11-28-2006 03:10 PM
Hand stitch a little easier sheathmaker The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum 11 07-19-2005 06:31 PM
Last stitch comes loose ABN The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum 6 12-30-2003 02:33 PM
stitch Saint Mark The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum 7 12-03-2002 09:38 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:51 AM.




KNIFENETWORK.COM
Copyright © 2000
? CKK Industries, Inc. ? All Rights Reserved
Powered by ...

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
The Knife Network : All Rights Reserved