Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Puukko and Sheath Build Along

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Puukko and Sheath Build Along

    I'm working on a few puukkos for friends and thought I snap a few pictures of the process along the way. This one is built around a 4" Mora Classic blade in carbon with some added spine jimping and a forced patina. The handle is stacked brass, walnut burl, copper, birch bark, figured maple, and whitetail antler. This thread focuses more on the sheath building process, but I did catch a few pictures of the knife itself in progress. Finished pictures will be coming soon!

    DESIGN and INITIAL FIT UP

    Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_9296.JPG Views:	1 Size:	728.6 KB ID:	2471

    ROUGH INITIAL PROFILE and BUTT CAP RAW MATERIALS
    Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_9297.JPG Views:	1 Size:	1.31 MB ID:	2472

    BUTT CAP ASSEMBLY and LAY OUT
    Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_9299.JPG Views:	1 Size:	1.15 MB ID:	2473

    BUTT CAP GLUE UP
    Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_9300.JPG Views:	1 Size:	1.11 MB ID:	2474

    FULL HANDLE ROUGH PROFILING
    Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9302.JPG
Views:	102
Size:	1.35 MB
ID:	2481
    Last edited by 4estTrekker; 06-25-2021, 03:50 PM.

  • #2
    LAYOUT of SHEATH TEMPLATE
    I've been experimenting with a different style of Scandinavian sheath construction wherein the leather is cut to shape before sewing begins. Circumference measurements are taken incrementally along the handle/wooden inner sheath via a thin scrap of the sheath leather and transferred to graph paper.

    Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_9611.JPG Views:	0 Size:	1.64 MB ID:	2477

    CUTTING the SHEATH BLANK
    The sheath blank is cut out with an inside bevel along the sewn edges. You can also see how to the top edge of the sheath has been skived and folded/glued back on itself to create a nicely finished edge.

    Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_9621.JPG Views:	0 Size:	1.40 MB ID:	2478

    STITCH HOLE LAYOUT
    All of the stitch holes are laid out and made with a triangular stitching awl at an angle such that they are only visible on the finished side of the leather. They come through near the bottom edge of the beveled side. This allows for a butt joint seam, which produces a much lower profile seam (less than 1 mm) compared to other traditional techniques.

    Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_9619.JPG Views:	0 Size:	1.37 MB ID:	2479

    STITCHING the HANDLE SECTION
    The handle section of the sheath is first stitched without the knife inserted.

    Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_9623.JPG Views:	0 Size:	1.48 MB ID:	2480

    INSERTING KNIFE and FINISHING STITCH LINE
    Because the leather is worked wet, it stretches easily to allow for the insertion of the knife/wooden inner sheath. As it dries, it draws up to a very snug fit.

    Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9624.JPG
Views:	91
Size:	1.50 MB
ID:	2482
    Last edited by 4estTrekker; 06-25-2021, 03:52 PM.

    Comment


    • #3
      FINISHED SEAM
      The sheath is set aside to dry for about an hour before I start the forming and tooling process.

      Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9627.JPG
Views:	98
Size:	1.40 MB
ID:	2484

      FORMING and TOOLING LAYOUT
      Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9628.JPG
Views:	94
Size:	1.61 MB
ID:	2485

      TEXTURE TOOLING PROCESS
      I like how this breaks up the sheath and helps define which way the knife blade goes in.

      Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9629.JPG
Views:	96
Size:	1.79 MB
ID:	2486

      PRESSING MY MAKER'S STAMP
      Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9630.JPG
Views:	100
Size:	1.75 MB
ID:	2487

      Comment


      • #4
        BELT LOOP LAYOUT
        I've come to favor this style of dangler belt loop. It requires no sewing or mechanical fasteners.

        Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9635.JPG
Views:	91
Size:	1.61 MB
ID:	2489

        EDGE FINISHING and TOOLING BELT LOOP
        The texture tooling is mirrored on the belt loop. The edges are burnished as well.

        Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9637.JPG
Views:	98
Size:	1.06 MB
ID:	2490

        SHEATH and LOOP PREPPED FOR ASSEMBLY
        The belt loop is formed by feeding the two integral laces back through the loop and attached to the sheath by threading them through the graduated holes in the sheath. Friction alone holds everything together. The laces also help make for a really tight, snap fit between the knife and sheath once everything is burnished and seated.

        Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9638.JPG
Views:	89
Size:	1.70 MB
ID:	2491


        FINISHED ASSEMBLY
        Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_9656.JPG
Views:	86
Size:	1.84 MB
ID:	2492

        Everything is ready for a good finish waxing, buff, and photo session. Then it's off to someone who can put it through its paces for years to come!

        Comment


        • #5
          Thank you for taking the time to put this together. I have made a few knives and sheaths like these, and I learned a lot. Well done!

          Comment


          • #6
            Wow! It is near to see the artistic part of a functional handle and sheath. Very impressive. Thank you very much, absolutely beautiful!

            Comment

            Working...
            X
            😀
            🥰
            🤢
            😎
            😡
            👍
            👎