Author Topic: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath  (Read 39560 times)

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Offline Wood Trekker

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How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« on: April 10, 2012, 02:49:33 PM »
I just finished posting about a low and intermediate cost leather working kit. For this particular project I will be using the items in the intermediate kit, but it can also be done with just the low cost kit.

The first step when making a leather axe sheath is to create the template. This is probably the hardest part of the process. Take a piece of paper, place the axe head on it, and start designing the sheath. Keep in mind the sheath has to be large enough to allow for stitching around the axe head, while still giving it room to move in and out. For this particular kind of sheath, I also use an insert where the two sides of the sheath meet. This creates a stop for the blade, so it does not cut through the stitching. You will have to make a template for that insert as well.



When you cut out your template, fold it over the axe head and see if it fits, leaving enough room for stitching. Keep in mind that leather is thicker than the paper. When you fold it over the axe head, some of the length will be eaten up in that fold (much more so than with the thinner paper). You will have to compensate for that by leaving the paper template a little longer on the end opposite where the you are making the fold.



Now trace out the prepared templates on to a piece of leather and cut them out using a pair of scissors.



Now using some leather glue, fold over the sides of the sheath into place, put the insert along the edges in between the fold, and glue the assembly. A set of small clamps makes this step a lot easier.



After an hour the glue should by dry, and you should have the general outline of the sheath. Test it on the axe head and make sure it fits before you do any further work with it.



If it fits, take your stitch groover, and make a groove along the edge of the sheath where you just glued the two pieces along with the insert. Make sure the groove aligns about the middle of the insert (if your insert is a quarter of an inch wide, make the groove an eight of an inch from the edge of the sheath).



Then take your overstitch wheel and mark the stitch holes within the groove that you just made.



Now take your awl and make the holes that you just outlined. The holes should be of good size so you can easily pass a thick needle through them.



Now take a length of artificial sinew (or any other cordage you line) and thread a needle through each end.



Thread the cordage through a hole at one of the ends of the sheath, until the center of the cordage is in the hole. Now, pass one of the needles through the next hole, and pass the other needle in that same hole from the other side.



Continue the process until you have completed the stitching. When you reach the last hole, just double back once, and cut off the excess cordage.



All that is left now is to add the strap that will hold the sheath. Cut out a length of leather to the desired width.



Use a hole punch to make a hole in the locations where the strap will be attached.



Attach one of the strap ends with a tack.



On the other side of the sheath, place the bottom part of the snap.



Now put the sheath on the axe, and measure out the length of the strap.



Make a hole at the desired location and attach the top part of the snap.



Your sheath is now complete. Coat it with some oil for protection.



I?m sure there are better ways to make a sheath, but this is how I make mine. It is a fairly easy process. The hardest part is making the template. The same sheath can be made with the low cost leather working kit simply by using tacks instead of stitching.

Offline greyhound352

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2012, 03:10:58 PM »
That is a great tutorial on making a mask, thanks. I am going to give this one a try someday.
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Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2012, 03:42:00 PM »
Thanks greyhound.

Offline Red

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2012, 04:30:14 PM »
awesome tutorial Ross! thanks for posting that up! i have not tried to make one yet (i dont use an axe) but perhaps i will give one a go just for the heck of it :D
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Offline Mr. Tettnanger

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2012, 05:31:39 PM »
Excellent tutorial Ross!

I like the simplicity of your design and how you present it.

Thank you!

Offline Professor

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2012, 06:40:56 PM »
That was a very clear, step-by-step tutorial on making an axe sheath!  I want to try that now; I have some leather that I bought a while ago, so just need to get it out.  We sewed pliers sheaths a few years ago with that type of sewing awl and it worked well.
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Offline bradleybuckman

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2012, 06:01:43 AM »
Great and very easy to follow tutorial. It's perfect timing too, because I'm getting ready to start on one for a Council Tools Boys Axe.
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Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2012, 06:27:11 AM »
Thanks guys. :)

Offline Gurthy

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2012, 06:08:11 PM »
Great tutorial Ross, thanks! Your design is a bit different than what I used and I like it!

Offline Dano

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2012, 07:24:52 PM »
Nice job on the sheath, and your leather threads are a great addition!

Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2012, 01:52:45 PM »
Thanks.  :)

Offline t43eagle

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2012, 10:16:13 PM »
Wood Trekker - excellent tutorial!!!  Wish I had joined and seen it before I made mine earlier this week!  This is my 1st try at making a leather sheath from scratch - I cut the leather folded over, then cut in half instead of folding to sew because my fold was on the blade side, added a spacer to prevent cutting the stitching.  Cut a "C" from another piece and added several coats of linseed oil to all surfaces.  Then used a leather hole punch for holes and artificial sinew to sew together and finally a sander to get the edges smooth.





Be Prepared - when that fails, improvise, adapt, overcome.

Offline PetrifiedWood

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2012, 12:41:29 AM »
Wow! Great step-by-step instructions. :thumbsup:

You did a great job on this, photographing each step in the process. This is better than most product instruction manuals nowadays. Thanks for posting it!

Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2012, 06:08:08 AM »
Wood Trekker - excellent tutorial!!!  Wish I had joined and seen it before I made mine earlier this week!  This is my 1st try at making a leather sheath from scratch - I cut the leather folded over, then cut in half instead of folding to sew because my fold was on the blade side, added a spacer to prevent cutting the stitching.  Cut a "C" from another piece and added several coats of linseed oil to all surfaces.  Then used a leather hole punch for holes and artificial sinew to sew together and finally a sander to get the edges smooth.







Looks like a good sheath man. What type of axe is that? Looks vintage.

Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2012, 06:08:27 AM »
Wow! Great step-by-step instructions. :thumbsup:

You did a great job on this, photographing each step in the process. This is better than most product instruction manuals nowadays. Thanks for posting it!

Thanks PW. :)

Offline t43eagle

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #15 on: April 24, 2012, 05:41:52 PM »
No idea on the axe, got it at the Forest City Stockade last year from one of the participants - hanle is marked India and no marks on the head.
Be Prepared - when that fails, improvise, adapt, overcome.

Offline MATT CHAOS

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #16 on: May 15, 2012, 06:21:09 AM »
Nice easy tutorial!
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Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #17 on: May 15, 2012, 04:05:01 PM »
Thanks. :)

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How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #18 on: May 15, 2012, 05:25:59 PM »
Very nice.. I think even I could do that!!! LOL! thanks a million!

Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #19 on: May 16, 2012, 06:49:13 AM »
No problem Chili.

Offline woodsrunner

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #20 on: June 08, 2012, 08:32:46 PM »
very well done wood trekker, a quality piece of leather work!!!
thank for sharing your skills...i have always appreciated your vids and posts...woods :)
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Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #21 on: June 11, 2012, 05:49:28 AM »
very well done wood trekker, a quality piece of leather work!!!
thank for sharing your skills...i have always appreciated your vids and posts...woods :)

Thank you, and same back at you. :)

Offline Barbarossa Bushman

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #22 on: July 04, 2012, 11:48:51 AM »
What everyone else said. That's what I say when I am late to the party. I really like that sheath shape/style.
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Offline WI_Woodsman

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #23 on: March 29, 2013, 05:35:07 PM »
Two words: absolutely exceptional!  This is the best tutorial on DIY Leather Axe Sheath, I appreciate your attention to detail not only in form but function.   :thumbsup: 

Offline Wood Trekker

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #24 on: April 01, 2013, 03:18:59 PM »
Two words: absolutely exceptional!  This is the best tutorial on DIY Leather Axe Sheath, I appreciate your attention to detail not only in form but function.   :thumbsup:

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. I love your Mora sheath mod tutorial.

Offline Bearhunter

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How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #25 on: April 01, 2013, 05:20:18 PM »
That's a great tutorial WT 8)
I need to get off my butt and make a few sheaths.
I have the leather and tools, I just need to do it!
Don't wait until it's too late to live your dream!

Offline jackalope10mm

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Re: How to Make a Leather Axe Sheath
« Reply #26 on: June 09, 2014, 02:36:20 PM »
Great tutorial WT now I'm gonna have to make a sheath for all of my hatchets and axes like that, since it looks so easy to do.