first sgian dubh redux

[DWFII]

Some time ago i posted a photo of my first ever sgian dubh. In the ensuing conversation, I mentioned that I was worried about making the sheath even though I have 35 years of leatherworking experience.

Truth to tell nothing seemed like it would quite work out.

Finally I started thinking about all the reasons why a standard leather sheath fell short of the mark--thickness, discomfort on the leg, security of the blade, etc., etc., ad nauseum.

I had some zinc sheeting laying around and with that I addressed most of the problems.

In the photo below you can see the finished product...made from alligator...as well as the foundation for another sheath made around a high quality damascus blade.

[attworth]

You aren't an architect are you? I love the scale.

That looks very nice.

[robthehiker]

Very nice!

[DWFII]

Thanks to both of you.

I thought it was a pretty unique solution...maybe only unique to me?...because it makes a very narrow and a very thin sheath possible. Yet there is no possibility that the knife will cut its way out of the sheath either. Also there is no visible stitching.

And as a bonus, all that makes it possible to make the sheath out of alligator (as above) or sting ray or even "dinosaur skin" (Ostrich leg).

It's not a presentation set like some of the blackwood and silver mounted sheathes but for a DIY, it's not too bad.

[AlphaKilts]

Very, very nice...

[ChattanCat]

Wonderful looking sheath. Do you line the zinc to cushion the blade?

[scotchmaster]

Very cool. A great look.

[Carolina Kiltman]

Not too bad? NOT TOO BAD? Man, that is fantastic! You have not only done a beautiful job! You have given me the solution to a problem I have been mulling over for a couple of weeks now. In answer to the question, the zinc, being much softer than the steel of the blade does not require any lining, and it is also non toxic. I am going to try aluminum with mine, because that is what I have lying around the shop. Thanks for wonderful pictures, and showing us beautiful work!

[DWFII]

the zinc, being much softer than the steel of the blade does not require any lining, and it is also non toxic. Thanks for wonderful pictures, and showing us beautiful work!

Thanks for the kind words.

Yes, that was my thought also...that the zinc is soft enough that it will not dull a good quality blade.

I actually took a piece of steel roughly the same thickness (maybe a smidge wider) as the back edge of the blade and made a bending template that has the same curve as the blade. I also cut the opposite side along the same curve as the cutting edge of the blade and almost as narrow but not quite.

I cut two long triangles a bit wider than the blade and then I bend and fold them down the center. Then clamp one end over the folding template and with a wooden mallet hammer the zinc to the curve of the template.

A grindstone will straighten the folded edges so that they form a seam, with the other half, in the center of the blade. A good idea is to make the zinc sheath a little longer than the blade and pinch the very ends tight together...completely flatten the folded half for an eighth inch or so in other words.

I cut and wet and shape my sheath over the zinc sheath...that's why it's taped. Then I trim it and sew it part way. At that point I pull the zinc sheath and without removing the tape epoxy the folded edges of the zinc and slide it back down inside the leather sheath.

When set I finish sewing.

Just some tips...maybe it will help you, I don't know. Like I said this was my first go round.

Show us what you come up with.