I´ve been thinking for a long time to change the BushProwlers sheath a bit. I´ve been asking opinions from my customers from all around the world too.
As you know there is this snap in the sheath. That´s not a real problem but I want to give you also this other choice.
The idea of having this snap is because it´s so easy to take knife from the sheath just by opening the snap.
Problem is that the snap might open if you fall or jump or run etc.
Even the blade of BushProwler is quite wide, it´s still possible to make the sheath sewing the side seam all the way to up.
There is double sewing in the upper part oh the sheath.
Leather has been folded in four layers in upper part of the sheath
I´ve been testing this sheath which has no snap, about two months. I use knife every single day and I use it a lot. My first "fear" was that the seam in mouth of the sheath, will be cutted. Other thing I was concerned about was the tightness of the sheath. The handle shape and the width of the blade are things which makes it quite challenging to make a sheath with tight fitting and easy to take of.
Both of those things have not been a problem. After two months of using this sheath, I have to say that Im quite satisfied with it!
Both of those things have not been a problem. After two months of using this sheath, I have to say that Im quite satisfied with it!
Sheath was firs quite tight and it was hard to get knife out with using just one hand. After some time of using, sheath looses just a little and there is now no problems at all with the tightness.
Head of the handle makes it possible to make a sheath where the knife is quite deep, like in Finnish leukus. So the knife will not drop from the sheath even if you jump, crawl, run or do other things where dropping your knife is possible.
So now it´s possible to order BushProwler with sheath sewed all the way and no snap.
And of course if you want, I can make a sheath with snap, like before.
I wish you could give me comments and opinions about these sheaths.
I think the knife itself is as ready as it can be, but with the sheath Im not sure yet.
So help me! =D
I use vegetably tanned leather of a thickness of 3-6mm depending on the knife, soak it in Soda-saturated water, wet-form it around the knife and then heat-treat it in the oven (or currently over the toaster, because I have no oven to date) with a good layer of beeswax, linseed oil and turpentine 3:2:1. It gets almost as hard as Kydex and allows to keep even knives where the blade is much wider than the handle in quite securely. Also, the greater possible width minimizes danger of cutting the seam. But I think this risk isn´t there at all with your sheath design in the first place... And I just want to be helpful, not a bloody know-it-all:-).
VastaaPoistaPersonally I like your new approach better, for it looks less complicated. The snap always seemed a bit overengineered to me.
I guess many of your customers might also be interested in a Kydex version. I know it might not be your piece of cake (it certainly isn´t mine).
Are the prices on your website up to date?
Thank You Fimbul myrk for Your ideas!
PoistaActually I have use pure beeswax with some larger knives sheaths. First I have heat the sheath so that beeswax melts. Then added more beeswax(also inside of the sheath) and put the sheath in the oven. That´s the same thing I do with leatherbottles I make. Leather becomes sturdy, keeps it´s shape and is totally waterproof. I have think about trying that method also with Prowlers sheaths.
I don´t recommend linseed oil or turpentine used with leather. Linseed oil will little by little make the leather to be a bit like rubber and it might, especially with turpentine make the leather brittle.
Thanks for reminding me about this, I´ll soon give a good "heat-waxing" for one sheath.
I´ve been also thinking to make sheaths from thick rawhide, but that´s a process which will rice the price and I don´t want to make these knives too expensive.
I agree You with the outlook with sheath without snap; it looks much better and there is more "spirit" too.
Prices of BushProwlers are updated, as far as I remember..
BushProwler 210euros.
With antler handle +25euros.
-ilkka
Hi, and thanks again, I also noticed that "rubbery" feel but could not put my finger on it, so your hint is absolutely great!!! I´ll try it your way soon.
VastaaPoistaThe rawhide sheath is something I have to try myself, too. Guy, you are inspiring me to an abnormal degree.:-)
Your prices are absolutely bargain for the quality.