Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 05:54:52 pm

Title: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 05:54:52 pm
I picked up my mail today and was pleasantly surprised with one piece of mail in particular. Looky what Dana sent me! ;D 8)   This knife needed a sheath so I thought I'd try a build along. Last year after the Classic, Colene(some of ya'll know Colene) sent me a box of scrap leather so I picked a nice piece of chocolate brown oil tanned leather for the sheath.
 To start with I made a pattern using a piece of stiff paper. Then I traced it on to the leather and cut it out with a utility knife. I used a lasing chisel to pre-punch the stitching holes and sewed the sheath together using a saddle stitch. For this type of stitching I cut a piece of artificial sinew and threaded a harness needle(blunt point) on each end of the thread. For a saddle stitch you push both needled through the same hole form opposite sides, pull it tight and move on to the next hole. Also, with knife sheaths I like to add a welt between the two sides being stitched to protect the stitching from the blade.
  I'll post a few pics them explain more after.........

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Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 05:57:52 pm
...after the stitching is complete I trim the excess leather along the stitching and grind it smooth on the belt sander. This edge will have bees wax added and burnished for a nice finished look....
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 06:07:31 pm
...oops, forgot the pics.... ;D  Before I go any further I want to be sure the knife fits the sheath after its sewn.  I haven't decided if I want a belt loop or a flap to cover the handle so for now I left it the way it is. I will probably make it a neck knife.
  The last 3 pics are the completed(for now) sheath.       Pat

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Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: huntertrapper on February 16, 2008, 06:16:00 pm
look sgood. what are ya gonna use it for?
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 06:19:10 pm
 Another handy tool that I used to cut the welt and for cutting lace, straps and belts is the draw gauge. This one is wood and a uses a single edge razor and is adjustable for different width cuts. The tool with the wood handle is an edge bevel tool. It takes a cut edge and takes the sharp cut edge off. This gives a nice finished look on all exposed edges.     Pat

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Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 06:22:54 pm
Huntertrapper, I wanted a neck knife for hunting. I hunt mostly from a tree stand and at my age I'm always thinking about having to escape from my safety harness if I fall. This should help me get out of the harness if necessary. Also it is a convenient size and will be handy, as a neck knife, for 3D shoots and hunting.    Pat
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: huntertrapper on February 16, 2008, 06:53:28 pm
hey thats a good idea sir. no know when you might need it. looks good
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 07:00:45 pm
...it will also make a good steak knife at hunting camp. ;D   One can never have too many knives.     Pat
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: huntertrapper on February 16, 2008, 07:10:14 pm
yes, i agree to that. ;D
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: DanaM on February 16, 2008, 07:34:06 pm
Pat glad to see it likes its new home ;D The sheath is great, I see I need more tools for leather working ;D
I made my first sheath today will post pics eventuallity.
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 09:36:17 pm
Dana, you don't need many leather tools but there are a few that make the difference.     Pat
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: DanaM on February 16, 2008, 09:37:38 pm
Oh no Pat you can never have enough tools ;D Like that draw gauge and the beveler ya have there., nice old tools
look to be better quality than the modern stuff.
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Justin Snyder on February 16, 2008, 10:12:46 pm
Nice Pat, that one is small enough to hide in your beard.  ;D Justin
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: John K on February 16, 2008, 10:23:08 pm
Looks nice Pat ! I need to get me one of those lasing chisels, i punch all my holes with a hand awl  :'( looks like the chisel would be much quicker.
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 16, 2008, 11:57:30 pm
former, The lacing chisels are great. This particular one has 8 blades and is good for long straight runs. I have a 3 blade and 4 blade and they are more practical for small projects. I misplaced them during the Christmas clean up for house guests.   ::)
   Justin, I need one a bit smaller for that. ;D       Pat
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Justin Snyder on February 17, 2008, 01:35:55 am
  Justin, I need one a bit smaller for that. ;D      Pat
I can make you one. Ill start making a machete and by the time I'm done grinding and trying to sharpen it, it will be microscopic.  :'(
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 17, 2008, 01:42:04 am
This is the finished pic. The flap was brought to the back like a belt loop and laced in place. I can attach this to my safety harness in a convenient area. I also added a neck lanyard. It is part of the original, incredibly fabulous Southern Community Bow string. ;D It developed a broken strand in the center where the arrow is nocked. I hate to throw anything away so I cut this to length and spliced the tag end so it can also used as a neck knife.  Dana, I also drilled a hole in the antler handle  :o and attached a leather thong. This makes it easier to remove the knife from the sheath.        Pat

ps. I made 2 new bow strings with wool string silencers for the Southern Community Bow.

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Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: DanaM on February 17, 2008, 06:03:35 am
Its your knife Pat, drill all the holes ya want in it ;D Looks good going to cut some more blanks out today while I'm here at work.
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Dingleberry on February 18, 2008, 10:48:01 am
That's neat Pat.  Thanks for sharing your techniques and tools. Knife and sheath look great. :)
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Dustybaer on February 20, 2008, 02:06:07 pm
great buildalong.  pat, are there any occupations or professions you haven't tried in your life?  >:D
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on February 21, 2008, 02:13:58 am
...only jobs that pay well and have good benefits. ;D  A jack of all trades and master of none! 8)   Pat
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: ber643 on March 06, 2008, 10:19:38 pm
Why does it not surprise me to find out you do leather work too, Pat. I've got a couple tools and guess i need to start trying to do some sort of sheaths, if I'm gonna keep doing knives - and I plan too, as long as the good lord is willing, that is. Nice little knife and sheath (actually, much nicer than just nice - LOL) .
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: cowboy on March 06, 2008, 11:33:17 pm
That turned out real nice Pat, hmm - I need more knives :).
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on March 07, 2008, 12:23:51 am
Paul, we all need more knives. You just never know when you might need one...or12!!! ;D
Bernie, In a past life I was a sandal maker and leather smith. I should do more of it and you should give it a shot. Another therapy method! ;D Thanks guys.     Pat
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: ber643 on March 07, 2008, 10:36:42 am
I understand well about those "past lives", Pat - got a few of them myself -  ;D
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Little John on March 12, 2008, 12:29:38 am
You are the man Pat. Nice work as usual.    Kenneth
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pat B on March 14, 2008, 01:34:50 am
Thanks Kenneth.    Ya'll thawed out yet?    Pat
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: bow kid44 on August 20, 2008, 09:37:22 pm
hmm - I need more knives :).
we all do
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: n2everythg on August 20, 2008, 10:57:23 pm
very nicely done pat. Thanks for taking the pics along the way. Want to do something similar and work more leather.

Justin -
Pat could hide a machete in his beard. LOL.
later
wade
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: Pappy on August 21, 2008, 05:38:26 am
Very nice build along Pat ,very nice Knife also. :) Thats to cool.I need to make me another neck knife,I gave mine away in Cloverdale and really miss it.Never thought I would like one till I try it for a while,They kind of grow on you. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Now Pat's mini Bowie knife
Post by: GregB on August 21, 2008, 08:43:24 am
Nice knife Dana, and great build along Pat...thanks!

"The Hawk", Mr. Chuck (alias "Chi Ching") sent me a few leather tools...one I especially like is a set of lacing needles. The ends are threaded female, allowing you to secure the end of your lacing inside the needle. Really makes the lacing process easier! ;)