Leather scabbard

[captscurvy_nc]

I got a gift card to Tandy leather as an early Christmas present and will be attempting my first leather scabbard.

Any one have suggestions on any how to guides or reference materials?

[Quartermaster James]

http://yeoldegaffers.com/project_scabbard.asp

[Bright]

http://sixthscaleamericanhistory.yuku.com/topic/2227

[captscurvy_nc]

Thanks for the links. My woodworking skills are almost non existent so I'm wondering if Balsa wood would work for the slats since it's easy to cut and sand. I don't have any power tools so this is all gonna be done by hand. Any thoughts?

[willie wobble]

Balsa wood ,NO try poplar fairly easy to cut and carve out

[captscurvy_nc]

Was afraid you'd say that. Never worked with it before but if it's fairly easy to cut it shouldn't be a problem then. Will check at Lowes today

[captscurvy_nc]

The tutorials all deal with straight blades. Is it the same principal for building a wood core for a cutlass with a curved blade?

[michaelsbagley]

The tutorials all deal with straight blades. Is it the same principal for building a wood core for a cutlass with a curved blade?

More or less.... The thing one needs to be careful with regarding curved blades, are blades that are wider towards the tip than at the hilt. I will be making a scabbard for such a blade in the not too distant future (likely the end of January). I will also likely blog the experience with lots of photos. If you are able and willing to wait that long, it might help you.

[willie wobble]

mine was a straight blade,you may have to make it wider to allow for the curve,I didn't take any pictures as i was in a hurry to get it done for PIP .a bonus while i was working the scabord i just happened to find a pair of ladys black leather pants at 5he flea mkt that i was able to take apart and cover the scabord with.

the big orange store had the popular wood the right size for me blade

[captscurvy_nc]

Thanks. I think I have the basic shape now comes the tedious task of shaving away the wood where the blade will rest.

[Cannibal Chrispy]

The Dremel tool or a drill with a coarse grinding wheel will be helpful, not P.C. but hey, if they see the inside of your scabbard somthing has already gone terribly wrong. snicker

Edited December 29, 2010 by Chrispy

[MarkG]

The Dremel tool or a drill with a coarse grinding wheel will be helpful, not P.C. but hey, if they see the inside of your scabbard somthing has already gone terribly wrong. snicker

I've done this with thin plywood - about the same thickness as the sword. I sandwich three pieces and cut a band saw or jigsaw to cut away where the sword will be from the middle piece. Then I glue the pieces together, shape it., and cover it with leather.

Mark

[PLUNDERING PYLOS PARKER]

try the green gold from south america (mahogany) not only is it period correct but also does great in the humidity and has a nice grain pattern when polished, why even use laether, just use this wood, it is all over roatan and belize areas in the caribbean, plus pirates traded and raided ships for the green gold. alot of pirates turned to log cutting in south america (belize) when pirating dried up. england paid big bucks for this wood including the colonies.

[captscurvy_nc]

I've got one side almost chiseled and sanded. Actually found a carpet knife was extremely helpful. And if anyone looks inside my scabbard to check the PCness of my woodworking skills that means the blade would have to have been drawn and their head lowered....

[Cannibal Chrispy]

Touche'

[captscurvy_nc]

Need to pick up some better tools. The dremmel sanders and grinders didn't work the way I thought.

[Captain Midnight]

Covering a curved wooden scabbard with leather is really not as daunting a project as people imagine it to be. Just be sure to use lots of patience. What I do with mine is basically this: after the wooden core is finished, I glue the leather to the front of it with plenty left over to wrap around both sides and overlap each other at the back. Then, using a sharp razor knife, I simply cut through both layers down the center of the scabbard back from the chape to the tip, following the curve of the scabbard. After the excess is cut away, this leaves an open seam down the center. Simply stitch the two sides together, similar to lacing a shoe up, making sure to draw the two sides up tight with each other. Moistening the leather before stitching will help it stretch and draw up to a nice, tight seam after stitching.

[captscurvy_nc]

Thanks for the tip

Edited December 29, 2010 by captscurvy_nc

[captscurvy_nc]

I Picked up a set of carving tools today so hopefully I will be able to make better progress tomorrow

[captscurvy_nc]

This is one side with the blade section carved pre sanding and cutting

[captscurvy_nc]

">My linkcut out. Took forever to chisel this out. Only tip I will give anyone attempting this is make sure to lay the blade into the grove often. You can always take away more wood but you cnt add it back

[captscurvy_nc]

Need to sand the edges a bit but here is the shape the sheath will be before i cover it in leather

[captscurvy_nc]

Better view of the first piece finished

[William Brand]

Ambitious and fun to watch in progress. Keep us updated.

[captscurvy_nc]

I will I am still chisleing out the second piece. I have tried a power sander, a dremmel and to be honest the hand chisel with the oval shaped handle has been the best. Just have to keep it sharp