Sheath Terminology

[BennytheBlade]

I pretend to know a lot about knives but I will be first to admit I know shit about sheaths.

When ordering a custom sheath, it would probably be helpful if I spoke a little of the lingo.

Anyone have a good link or care to go over the different terminology?

Of course I will go google as well.

[sheathmaker]

sheath=that thing that holds your knife and attaches to your belt.

Now seriously, I think many makers use different terms, but here a a few of mine.

Blade sheath--A sheath which generally, but not always, covers just the blade and is stitched all the way around. This type sheath is generally best suited to knives with a double guard or a pronounced single guard such as bowies, fighters, etc.

Pouch sheath--This style is most applicable to knives with small to no guard. It is equal on both sides of a center line when flat and folds in the middle and is stitched on one side only, or in the case of a split toe or butterfly design is stiched only part way up the spine side.

Right or left carry refers to the side of the body you want to carry the sheath. Significantly a right hand draw cross draw is worn on the left side but is technically a right hand sheath and visa versa.

Carved or tooled embllishment. Carved is just that. A design floral or vines etc. is carved into the sheath and then tooled to give dimension and depth. Tooled is a decorative stamp such as basket weave and there is no carving involved except the border.

Weight of leather expressed in ounces. One ounce of leather weight means that one square food of that leather weighs about one ounce. An ounce translates into 1/64" in thickness. 7/8 ounce leather therefore, is about 1/8" thick. I use 7/8 lined with 2/3 for a finished product of about 10 Oz.

There are many more considerations, but that should get you started. If you don't understand a term the maker uses, ask him to stop and bring you up to speed and you'll be speaking sheath in no time.

Paul

[leatherman]

Under the link "placing orders" and the link "carry styles" my wife set up a real nice piece by piece description of each carry method and accessory. She's my hero! :schmoove:

Here's a linky http://www.armoralleather.com/carry_types.htm

EDIT: I see we were typing at the same time! Thanks for the info Paul. :leatherdevil :

[BennytheBlade]

What about names for loops, retention stuff...
Paul has a very beautiful non attatched (I dont think it is) loop on some of his sheaths...

[sheathmaker]

What about names for loops, retention stuff...
Paul has a very beautiful non attatched (I dont think it is) loop on some of his sheaths...

Sorry I forgot about that. Since it kind of looks like a bow tie, that's what I call it, "the bow tie retention strap". It works right or left and/or is completely detachable. When in use in the field remove one side and let it dangle on the front of the sheath. It operates on a little trailer ball looking stud which is a Sam Browne stud. These are avialable from Tandy/Leather Factory in either nickel over brass or brass. This is particularly useful where the knife does not really accommodate a traditional strap over the spine and you don't want to attach in harm's way on the edge side. Also here's a link to another thread showing more of that same sheath.

http://www.jerzeedevil.com/forums/showthread.php?p=483311#post483311

Paul

[BennytheBlade]

Cool.. and that is a KILLER sheath.

Is there a name for the kind of sheath that has the spine open?
Sorry for all the questions... I just figure we have this forum here, all this talent, might as well ask a few questions.

[sheathmaker]

I would just call it an open spine or modified spine like something a Kukri would ride in, and then there would probably be a retention strip high on the spine side front to rear.

Paul

[Mr.LaBella]

Cool.. and that is a KILLER sheath.

Is there a name for the kind of sheath that has the spine open?
Sorry for all the questions... I just figure we have this forum here, all this talent, might as well ask a few questions.

That is a killer sheath, and Paul... I like your new signature amigo!

:devilinheaven:

[leatherman]

Cool.. and that is a KILLER sheath.

Is there a name for the kind of sheath that has the spine open?
Sorry for all the questions... I just figure we have this forum here, all this talent, might as well ask a few questions.

I've seen that one referred to as a quick draw, or quick release sheath. I've done them for Khuk's mainly but I recently did a couple for the Busse Battle Mistress. This style works very well for those really big knives as they have such a long draw out of the sheath. I'll see if I can find a pic or two.