Making knife sheath fittings, part 2.

Here is a short explanation how to make the smaller, grooved fittings. 1, First, cut strips from sheath. My fittings are about 10 mm wide and each strip is about 300 mm long.

2, I use a small chisel with a blunted edge to make the grooves. First I make the groove in the middle and then each side to get a symmetrical look. It is quite tricky to get a uniform and straight groove so take it slow and easy.

3, This is what it should look like after.

4, Now, take the piece of brass and some piping. The correct diameter of the pipe should be slightly smaller than the thickness of the leather sheath. Carefully bend the fittings downwards over the pipe using both thumbs and a firm grip. Look out so the edges line up correctly.

5, This is the finshed fitting. Now, it will be filed, polished, drilled and mounted on the leather.

Looking for pictures of you!

I am looking for pictures of you together with your kit from Audhumbla! If you got it, flaunt it! Send the picture to me and I will choose the best ones.

To make things more interesting, I will draw a random winner from the contributions that will get a free knife (bog oak, elk horn and karesuando blade).

Making knife sheath fittings.

I said I would try to explain how I make my fittings for the sheaths. Here is a couple of pictures explaining the method. I am sorry for the quality, they were taken with a cellphone.

First, the chape:

1, I start out with a paper template and sketch out the rough shape of the chape on the leather sheath.

2, Then I put the paper template on a brass plate and transfer the shape.

3, I use different tools to make all the stamped patterns.

4, To make the rough cut I use a small chisel and carefully strike down on a piece of old railroad track.

5, This is how the piece looks after the rough cut.

6, To cut the outer shape I use a hand held pair of straight-cutting snips.

7, After this it´s time to bend the chape around a metal pipe to give it it´s shape.

8, Then it´s time to get going with sandpaper, files and some elbow grease to smooth all the edges and get rid of burrs. This will take some time.

9, The final stage is to give the chape a high gloss polish.

10, And the final fitting on the leather sheath riveted in place. The leather will be cut after to insure a perfect fit.

I hope this is helpful! I also have some pictures of how to make the smaller fittings if you are interested!

Sommaren 2011

Nu är det redan September och hösten är här! Det har varit en fantastisk sommar full med äventyr, hantverk och bröllop.

Nu under hösten så gör jag mitt examensarbete på Högskolan på Gotland inom Industriell Design. När jag är klar med det så kommer jag förhoppningsvis att kunna lägga mer tid på Audhumbla vilket innebär att det förhoppningsvis kommer bli verklighet av en hel del gamla tankar och planer. Det handlar bland annat om att börja göra en del medeltidssaker, en egen serie med bluntade vapenknivar och att resa på fler marknader.

Det innebär också att jag förutom beställningsjobben kommer kunna ha ett litet lager med knivar, väskor och bälten att ta med mig ut på marknader och för direkt försäljning utan väntetid. Jag tror att det kommer vara en positiv förändring!

Här kommer lite blandade bilder från sommaren! Jag hoppas att ni också har haft en skön och utvilande sommar!