Got an ax that needs a sheath

[pdangerp]

I bought a Fiskers chopping ax for camping and off roading and such. It came with a crappy plastic "sheath" that broke. I'm looking for aftermarket nylon or leather sheaths that might fit this ax. If necessary, I could try to make a sheath for it, but I don't know how to work with leather or nylon.

you guys seem to know everything about everything tool related. What can you show me?

 

[JASTECH]

Get the leather and make a pattern, connect the 2 sides with SS rivots and washers. Make strap to go around head and install rivot/washer on one end then heavy duty snap on other.

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[pdangerp]

I am thinking about doing that. Where do you suppose I should look for thick grade leather? Google search comes up with a bunch of bike leather and alternative hobby shops.

 

[fatboyf150]

Find someone that does horse saddles. They could make you something, or get you what you need.

 

[bob ny]

When you get her done let me know and show us some pics . I am also looking for the solution too/ for a one of a kind hatchet.bob w.

 

[woody 73]

Find a good shoemaker in your town (or someone that repairs shoes) and they can do the job for you. Darn brain fart they must be dying out like the dinosaurs...Back in the day they could do it very easy.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

What is it with you silly americans leaving the e off axe?

 

[JeremyManning]

There are some at the hardware store I will check the mfg.

 

[cleek]

A simpler solution would be to take pvc pipe (lets say 1") the kength of the blade and cut a kerf the width of the blade. Rubber bands, a small bungee cord or duct tape to hold in place. Actually duct tape over the edge will do the same function.

 

[Packard V8]

a one of a kind hatchet.bob w.

One might surmise Bob also exists in another persona in an another dimension ;>)

jack vines

 

[pdangerp]

A simpler solution would be to take pvc pipe (lets say 1") the kength of the blade and cut a kerf the width of the blade. Rubber bands, a small bungee cord or duct tape to hold in place. Actually duct tape over the edge will do the same function.

I like this idea. I might take some rubber heater/vacuum hose I have and slit it and make a blade cover with a strap to go around the handle. Hmmm. Will update when I get it done.

I would like to be able to make my own leather sheath and use the laser engraver at work to write "bad mother f'er" on it.

 

[mdbeck1]

I bought a Fiskers chopping ax for camping and off roading and such. It came with a crappy plastic "sheath" that broke. I'm looking for aftermarket nylon or leather sheaths that might fit this ax. If necessary, I could try to make a sheath for it, but I don't know how to work with leather or nylon.

you guys seem to know everything about everything tool related. What can you show me?

Go to the local hobby shop. They usually have bags of tanned leather. The ones I have found have been a "bulk pack". IIRC they ran me about $10.00 for the bag and I've made a lot of stuff out of it.

Lay the axe head down on a large piece near the edge. Cut out a piece with a box knife. Make sure that you oversize it. You can trim it down later. I bought a leather punch to punch holes in mine and laced it with leather thongs. I added a snap to the top. You can also get a leather stitching awl and sew them if you would like.

A quick search on YouTube give me:

 

[kms]

I thought Gerber might have one, and then stumbled across this. Don't know the seller:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uot-or-28-quot-Chopping-Axe-for-sale-or-trade

Seems high for a cheap axe, but may be a very nice sheath

 

[pdangerp]

Thanks for the info. I'll check my hobby shop today. I knew this place would be great for it. Can I get pics of your axe sheath mdbeck1?

 

[DavidB]

If you want to buy, Harry Epstein's has leather sheaths. http://store.harryepstein.com/c/Axesandsheaths.html

 

[RivennHewn]

Tandy leather. The have leather, and classes to show you how.

 

[RivennHewn]

When you get her done let me know and show us some pics . I am also looking for the solution too/ for a one of a kind hatchet.bob w.

You make the axe?

What else you make?

 

[mdbeck1]

Thanks for the info. I'll check my hobby shop today. I knew this place would be great for it. Can I get pics of your axe sheath mdbeck1?

Sure, but SWMBFAO just ran to get parts for the kitchen sink repairs and the axe is in the truck toolbox (that she drove). It looks kinda like this one.

 

[georgiadave]

I just put a piece of duct tape over the edge of the blade. An old sock with some motor oil on it over the blade end works pretty well too, if you are in a damp situation.

 

[vltor17]

You might look into kydex, if you've got $50 bucks or so to burn. If you build your own press and have a heat gun, you can do it pretty cheap. Probably only worth it if you have a few more sheaths to build. It's kind of fun stuff to work with if you have the time, and you can build everything from knife sheaths to holsters.

 

[pdangerp]

I bought some leather working tools and supplies yesterday. I will attempt to make something tonight. Bear with me.

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

What is it with you silly americans leaving the e off axe?

We're more efficient. Plus we beat you guys in two separate wars a LONG time ago, that's why we can have "American English".

 

[pdangerp]

I have my first attempt completed. I wish the leather was of heavier stock, but this is what the hobby shop had. I think that other people's ideas to use Kydex would have been cool too. I'm going to look into that next time I want to be creative.

Here's the pics:
My Jeep with an axe. This is the reason the original sheath wouldn't work.

Here's the new sheath next to the axe.

Here's the new sheath on the axe.

This took me about an hour and a half from paper model to final product. I have never done anything like this before.

 

[mdbeck1]

... Can I get pics of your axe sheath mdbeck1?

Better late than never????

Apologies for the cell phone pics...

Next you'll be making them for your hunting knives.

 

[mdbeck1]

By the way... yours looks just fine.

Make sure when you are not on the trail you pull the axe off and put the axe in a cool dry place. If the leather gets wet and you leave it on the axe the axe will rust (personal experience). I usually leave mine in the axe or the truck tool box.

 

[91bronc300]

What is it with you silly americans leaving the e off axe?

It's in the back of the junk drawer, just like the u from colour.

 

[pdangerp]

Yeah, I wouldn't leave it on there around town, because that's just ridiculous. I wouldn't need an axe on the Jeep in town and otherwise it's just unnecessary. Plus it would probably get stolen. The rack is in paint process right now too.

I'm thinking of making up some sort of brand and branding the sheath.

 

[KenS]

If you live near an Amish or Mennonite community, they'll be glad to accept some "English" greenbacks in exchange for a well-crafted leather sheath.

 

[mdbeck1]

Yeah, I wouldn't leave it on there around town, because that's just ridiculous. I wouldn't need an axe on the Jeep in town and otherwise it's just unnecessary. Plus it would probably get stolen. The rack is in paint process right now too.

I'm thinking of making up some sort of brand and branding the sheath.

Go take a look at the hobby store. They will have a section dealing with leatherwork. In the section they will have tools to use with a hammer to make impressions on the leather. You can stencil your name or even some designs.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Grab a piece of veg tan 7/8oz. A shoulder works fine for this. If you want to stitch it, grab a diamond shape awl, edge groover, nylon waxed thread and some harness needles 000. If you want to assemble with jiffy rivets, grab a small box of those and a rivet setter and a small 4mm punch. That would actually be pretty simple. Don't forget your line 24 snaps. You do need a setter kit for them too. Grab the 4pc kit.

Sure, but SWMBFAO just ran to get parts for the kitchen sink repairs and the axe is in the truck toolbox (that she drove). It looks kinda like this one.

On this sheath the rivets and stitches are redundant. One or the other. You don't need both. If you're worried about the blade cutting the thread you can run a double stitch line. But it isn't necessary. Those rivets put in the stitch line actually weaken the stitches because the hole is punched right through the thread! That'll end up unraveling in short order.


pdangerp, good shot on your axe cover. Looks like you used chrome tanned white leather and rivets. If you do another, use veg tan instead so you can finish off those edges. Veg tan is tougher as well. Leather traps moisture and dirt/debris inside. That's why we don't recommend storing handguns in holsters. They'll rust So, before you put your axe away, clean it and lightly oil it. But really, rust will happen. It's an axe.



I've yet to put together a cover for my axe and hatchet. I've got too much other work to take care of.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Really if anyone wants beginner leatherwork stuff, go to Tandy, it's like leather walmart. It's cheap and it'll get you started with leather and tools so you're not running around lost. Hobby Lobby can't compete. I use Tandy for small parts but the majority of my orders go to Springfield Leather. They stock my leather of choice and are my go-to leather supply.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

I am thinking about doing that. Where do you suppose I should look for thick grade leather? Google search comes up with a bunch of bike leather and alternative hobby shops.

Go to google. Tandy leather factory outlet stores. They have a lot of cool stuff. might even have a kit for this.

 

[bob ny]

You make the axe?

What else you make?

the head is a tree trimmers tool and i had a fellow nomed longstep from another tool forum install a handle . he had to forge the end of the tool to accept the handle. nice job huh?

 

[bob ny]

One might surmise Bob also exists in another persona in an another dimension ;>)

jack vines

yes it does remind one of a different time in world weapons.
it actually a tree trimmers tool that used to go on the end of a long stick. it still has the electric mfg companys name ingraved on it

 

[Frank The Plumber]

It's not as easy as it looks to make one of these. One trick is the scissors, leather scissors are lethal. How did you get the stitching through your leather, punches or real sharp leather needles?

 

[GirlnAgarage]

It's not as easy as it looks to make one of these. One trick is the scissors, leather scissors are lethal. How did you get the stitching through your leather, punches or real sharp leather needles?

Use an Exacto knife to cut leather. Use the thin narrow ones. Use multiple passes. Trace and cut your pattern on the flesh side.

To punch your stitch holes you need to use a diamond shaped awl. It's a 4 side blade, punches a hole shaped like a diamond. Many lazies use the tiniest drill bit they can find and drill their holes. The fault to that is a hole is not the right shape to set the thread. Also when you drill out material the holes will not snug back up around the thread. This is why the diamond shape matters.

Do not use sharp needles. Do not use glovers needles. They will cut thread when you saddle stitch. Use harness needles size 000 that I specified in my first post.

Oh also get a stitching wheel. 6 holes per inch is good for the saddle stitch.

Anyone interested pick up Al Stohlman's little booklet. I goes through all the basics. If you guys are going to do it, do it right.

 

[pdangerp]

I think I'll keep with what I have until I break it. Then I'll look for some "veg tan" leather and get a hard and durable sheath. I probably won't be doing any stitching. If anything I might lace the edges on the next one using some paracord or leather webbing.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Paracord makes a good lace up. If you go for leather lace, try kangaroo - expensive but good.

 

[clouseau]

We're more efficient. Plus we beat you guys in two separate wars a LONG time ago, that's why we can have "American English".

You had home advantage both times and you never showed up for the away leg!

However, I must thank the Americans for the spelling of the word "ax".

When you take into account the benefit that that spelling has had for Scrabble players over the years it might even be considered America's greatest ever contribution to popular culture.....!




It's OK guys, I'm joking. i know you also gave the world Rikki Lake!

 

[GirlnAgarage]

You had home advantage both times and you never showed up for the away leg!

However, I must thank the Americans for the spelling of the word "ax".

When you take into account the benefit that that spelling has had for Scrabble players over the years it might even be considered America's greatest ever contribution to popular culture.....!




It's OK guys, I'm joking. i know you also gave the world Rikki Lake!

Aha! Yall knew you had no business over here