A bit of background on the Knife. I found it in a Rubbish Bin at an Abbatoir. It looked to me it had been dropped into a Mincer and the plastic Handle was chewed up and a big piece was broken from the Blade.
I reground the Blades profile, adding in a 4 1/4" Tang and fitted a section of Farmed Rusa Deer Antler to the Tang. I fitted it in the time honoured way of soaking the Antler in Water for a couple of Months and pushing it on as far as I could by Hand, then Hammering it into place bracing the tip of the Blade against a piece of Pine. My goodness - talk about Stink but it worked a Treat and is held very securely. Once the Antler dried out the Stench vanished.
I had never carved Antler before and made things up as I went along and surprisingly it went well. Mostly I used a Jewellers Screw Driver sharpened to a Chisel, a points File and a disposable Scaple. Towards the end a Mate took pity on me and gave me an old Wood Carving Chisel that speed things up quite a bit.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff55/jackoarcher/P1070001.jpg)
I spent at least 20 hours Carving this Handle. How Primitives did such work with Stone Tools is astonishing to me. Even Iron Tools would have been more challenging that what I have used.
This is the 2nd Kangaroo Rawhide Sheath I have made for this Knife. I have improved the design with this Sheath as Rawhide has suptle differences to Leather and the same Techniques and designs don't necessarily work.
Only thing to fix with this Sheath is to replace the Waxed Artificial Sinew Braided Edge with the real Deal. Soon as I can get out Bush and make some Meat I'll gather the Beaties Sinew and re Stitch the Edge. Either that or I'll have a crack at making some Fine Rawhide String, but thats another Thread
Here's some Photo's
I made the Sheath so it has an Internal Rolled Edge, this adds Durability and protects the Stitching. As always made to a Pattern, carefully fitted - the Knife can not fall out. It has 2mm thick Vegie Tanned Split Hide as a Lining. The Stitching for the Belt Loop is recessed and can not be abraded. For insurance I rubbed Super Glue into it.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff55/jackoarcher/P12408092.jpg)
Note I made the Toe of the Sheath rounded so that I could Stitch right around it and achieve the Seamless look I wanted
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff55/jackoarcher/P1240812-1.jpg)
Do not like the raggy appearance of the Artificial Sinew, needs the real thing or re Stitching with Rawhide String. It's purely decorative as the Sheath is Glued and Riveted
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff55/jackoarcher/P1240811.jpg)
I used a piece of Roo Rawhide with the Edges folded and Glued Under for the 2 1/4" Belt Loop. On the last Sheath I had a Strip of Split Hide incorporated, not needed and now the Loop is Sleak and unobtrusive. It has hardened up big time as well, tough as Nails
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff55/jackoarcher/P1240810.jpg)
I used Antique Finish 2 piece Rivets through the 3/4" wide Welt, lots of Room for the decorative Edge Stitch and Rivets. I rubbed in a couple of Coats of True Oil on the exterior surfaces and on the internal Rolled Rawhide Edge and the Split hide lining was sealed with normal Leather Sealer
regards Jacko
Nice work.
Very cool project!
You gave that blade many more useful years.
Steve
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Potomac Forge
W.F. Moran Jr. Museum & Foundation
Just spotted this thread Jacko.
Great job on the whole project. Only those who have tryed the rawhide sheaths know how hard it is to pull off.
Really like your edge braid and agree that a rawhide string would really shine.
I've been braiding with some veg tanned roo and it's amazing string for braiding. I think the roo rawhide might give horse rawhide a run for being great rawhide string. RS