Hi everyone

I’ve purchased knives from the Busse family, Bark River, Benchmade, gear from Maxpedition, 511, etc, etc, etc, but recently started getting interested in doing more stuff myself. Obviously, living in an apartment in New Jersey doesn’t lend itself to big machine shops, large belt grinders, forges etc. But, what can be accommodated quite easily is building a kit knife and making it’s own sheath.

I researched the various kit knives out there. I wanted something different from what I already have, so decided on a nice bushcraft style, zero Scandi ground, Enzo Trapper knife kit. This is a great, chunky little knife in 01 high carbon steel that takes and holds an excellent edge. The blade is less than 4”, but nice and thick. I haven’t had a Scandi blade since school and only after sharpening it on my waterstones did it come back to me how easy it is to sharpen these. Hair popping is all I can say. I got this knife kit from Ben’s Backwoods and let me say here that his service is simply excellent.

Anyway, I thought I would post the process of assembling the knife and making it’s sheath in a little picture tutorial. I know it’s not a Busse kin knife, but I will be doing this style of sheath for my Dumpster Mutt next, so I hope it has some relevance.

Thanks for looking.

Here’s the knife kit:


Fitting the scales:


Pins filed down:


Sanding:


Time for some Linseed Oil:


Much better:


Some time on the waterstones:


Yes, that will do:


As I said, hair popping sharp:


Right, now it's on to the sheath. Please bear with me, this is my very first attempt at sheath making. I'm slightly dissapointed if I'm honest. Here are the mistakes I made:
1. Did not dye the leather before applying the cement (stupid!)
2. Did a bit of a rush job - should have taken more time
3. Bought below par, $6 leather toolset that contained a uesless stitch groover

Anyway, it was still fun and I will make a much better attempt the 2nd time around.

Initial design and markouts:


Welt assmbly:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_02.jpg[/img]

Applying cement:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_03.jpg[/img]

Folding over the sheath:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_04.jpg[/img]

Horizontal/Vertical carry system attached:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_06.jpg[/img]

Checking fit:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_08.jpg[/img]

Horizontal carry:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_10.jpg[/img]

Vertical carry:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_12.jpg[/img]

Stitching:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_13.jpg[/img]

Time for some dye:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_15.jpg[/img]

And it's done:
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/web_16.jpg[/img]

Overall, not a bad day's work, and lot's of fun.

Cheers,
Gideon

I think it all looks great, and a nice way to start a new hobby!

I live in a condo, so you've inspired me that it can be done!

Good work, Gideon! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Very nice job on those sheaths. I really like the one with the firesteel holder.

Gideon,
You did real well, it looks really nice for a days work indeed.

Nice knife! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> and pics!

The sheath looks good too. Your own design?

Shaving your arm is fun but looks weird if you do it to often, I´ve tried haha
Not much hair left on my right arm. Lucky me Ive got light hair so it doesn´t show so much.

Awesome Job.

Good job on the handles and awesome job on the sheath, especially if that's your first shot.

that why in the winter i shave the hair off of my legs instead of my arms

Lol, I do the same thing.

Very cool. I have been eying an Enzo kit for a while. I got a Koster Nessie a while back with a scandi grind and I really really like it. Great job on the knife and the sheath.

I think you did a fanstatic job on both. How did you come up with the design for the sheath. Where did you get the materials and equiptment. I really like the different ways of carrying the knife. Very resourceful.

Great job Gideon! I like Ben's Backwoods, that's where I score my Mora's.
I could really use a sheath like that in the same size, maybe you'll decide taking a little load off Jeff? I think I'll try making one myself but I doubt mine will come out as good as yours.