Period Correct Sheath for Western Bowie Knife

[Smuggler Steve]

I just wondered if anybody sell proper looking sheaths for a Western Bowie Knife. They were a knife make, I believe in Colorado. My son's handle is as a knife fighter and he lost his knives in a move. The knife might not be totally period correct but is close enough and would make a great Christmas gift.

Another part of this could be - How hard is it to get into leather work to make an acceptable sheath? Is there a reasonable priced set of tools and patterns form Tandy or some such place? I'm good with my hands and if it worked out - I have two of these so I could wear one.

Steve

[Slowhand Bob]

Steve, with a little help and advice from the great guys on here a simple knife sheath would most likely be a great first project for someone wanting to start out in western leather craft.  If the sheath is to be plain and simple your tooling and material needs will be few and you might already have them on hand.  A picture of the knife and some measurements would get us started on the basic pattern.  Several of these guys are true artists and if you give them a bit to go on, as to what you want, they can offer some great ideas on construction.  Welcome to the fire pard.

[ChuckBurrows]

Here's a how-to on one PC style for the 1870's and later that is pretty easy to build even for a rank amateur
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/mexloop/_mexloop.html

Only tools really needed - and all are available at Tandy or other suppliers such as Springfield Leather, Leather Unltd, etc.:
A sharp knife - a Stanley type craft type with replaceable blades works fine
a couple of harness needles
thread - you can buy small spools of linen from Tandy/LF
A stitch groover is nice but a pair of dividers will get you by in a pinch
An awl
a 5 or 6 SPI overstitch wheel
some beeswax - small amounts available at Tandy or any sewing store

Leather - for the big Western Bowies I'd recommend 8/9 oz or perhaps even better 10/12 - Springfield Leather sells leather in small sections and Tandy may as well

As to buying one already made many of the guys who hang out here can fit the bill.......................just contact them via PM for more info regarding prices, delivery, etc.....

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  Howdy Smuggler Steve

       Welcome to our forum pard, you're getting some great advice from two of our experienced leather masters here, Chuck Burrows and Slowhand Bob, good luck with your new project, once you start working with leather, it will get in your blood, and you'll be hooked, be sure to post a picture of your finished piece, and feel free to ask question as you're learning, this is a great place to get information and good advice.


                        Regards

                     tEN wOLVES 

[Forty Rod]

There you have it, Steve, the beginnings of the best leather working advice anywhere.  Enjoy yourself.

[Smuggler Steve]

Thanks for the hints. The tutorial looks great. It is tempting to buy but I'm always looking for excuses to make stuff. (And get more tools.)

I'd really like to work some of loop or other period correct way of securing. These have heavy, sharp 9 3/8" blades and I'd hate to drop one on my boot. Even the hilt would hurt.  Here's a picture of them. Sorry for the shiny look but steel does that.



Steve

[santee]

Those will leave a mark.

[DUKE DEADEYE NUKEM]

I need the DVD.

[ChuckBurrows]

I need the DVD.

Duke - which one? if mine PM me..........

As for a safety strap - build the sheath "right" (properly fitted to the blade so that it is snug enough to keep the blade from easily sliding out, but not overly tight) and it won't need one especially with those long blades. On the other hand you can make a sort of PC style with a Sam Brown stud (sold by Tandy/LF) and a single strap over the cross guard - similar to the one below although since the Western Bowie has a double guard I would run it over the back side rather than the front to help prevent cuts in the strap.



another couple of options:
1) These two have a single thong with some brass/glass Crow size beads on the end for weight that wraps around the handle a time or two  - simple and easy to make/use




2) This one is a doubled thong with a slide (think bolo tie) - takes two hands to tighten it but only one to loosen it:

[DUKE DEADEYE NUKEM]

Duke - which one? if money PM me..........

Anyone I can get my hands on Chuck. 
Buffalo Barbie ordered somewhere around 10 hides from W&C of different configurations and colors for dedicated products and there just sitting around in laminate boxes. I just need to get my dining table done so I can lay into them.