Boot Knife Sheath – The “Right Way”
Boot Knife Sheath, done the correct way. Have you ever noticed that all boot knife sheaths seem to be made wrong? You know what I mean, the clip forces you to carry the knife either outside of your boot "or" if you carry it inside your boot (which makes the most sense) the handle of the knife is up against your leg instead of the soft leather being against your leg as it should be. Herein lies the serious advantage in custom leather knife sheaths ... you can have it made the "right way". On this page are a few examples of boot knife sheaths I have created. They are designed properly so that the clip holds your knife on the "inside" of your boot with a soft leather piece protecting your leg from an uncomfortable bit of friction all day long. As well, it will be much easier to draw the knife as the knife handle is easily accessible and the draw is not hampered by a piece of leather in the way. If you have a boot knife sheath that has no way of securing the knife to the sheath (a simple slip sheath) then your are in double jeopardy as the knife rubs your leg all day "and" stands the risk of falling out of the sheath. The solution? Have me make a proper boot knife sheath for you. There are so many options and different designs for the myriad of boot knives out today that it would be impossible to create a sheath and take a picture of each. Suffice to say that any boot knife can have a proper sheath designed and built and, honestly, any knife that is of the proper design and length can work as a boot knife if the sheath is properly designed and constructed. I have made boot knife sheaths for boot knives, hunting knives (and my all time favorite) a straight razor, "ouch"! Prices start at $125.00 and go from there. These particular sheaths are made of oil tanned 5-6oz. leather and are black by nature. If you prefer a different leather or color just let me know. DH
The significance of the sheath above is most probably it's travel history. Not the sheath but the design itself. I received an email from a gentleman in Afghanistan some time back that needed a sheath badly for his Smith & Wesson SWHRT7T (I have to admit that after doing a bit of research on this knife for the project it's not a bad little piece). Anyway, the complexity of this project was not the sheath itself but the method required to build it. You see, the knife stayed with the owner and I built a wooden mockup based on the owners notes and such. I make most of my models out of hardwood but I had this paint stir stick that was the exact same thickness as the blade on the knife, so....... paint stir stick tanto! When I started working with the owner on the design he was in Afghanistan, then home to the Philippines then back to Afghanistan. The design process and drawings followed him in his travels. The sheath will be on it's way to the Persian Gulf shortly. If you'd like to read up on how I make a sheath with no knife in hand check out this link here.
A few comments on this particular sheaths design. Although it is for a Tanto style I have rounded the bottom edges of the sheath to make it comfortable in the owners boot. The center layer of the sheath does, in fact, allow for the tanto point. As well it may appear that the snap loop securing the knife is backwards, not so say's I. Although it would seem easier to unsnap with the loop placed in the opposite direction my thinking was that I didn't want it to snag on brush and such so a "trailing snap loop" would keep unwelcome "un-snaps" at bay. In addition, all of the nickel plated hardware has been blued to keep the reflection down (This is after all a "working" knife).
I hope to have some "in the field" pics of this knife and sheath shortly after the owner in Afghanistan receives it. DH
I like your boot sheath design. It addresses my pet peeves and I believe you could build what I’m looking for In a sheath. I carry in a clip style sheath on my right hip between my 1.75” belt and pants. Positioned like that keeps it snug up against my trunk but is still accessible. Problem is I want a nice soft piece of leather between the handle and my skin. I am also switching to a different knife that won’t fit my current sheath so I need to have one built to fit my new knife. The new knife has a five inch clip style blade with a single hilt, and it would be nice if I could “reverse” the carry orientation so you’d almost have to think in terms of a fat dagger styled pocket that provided a good squeeze to the blade itself. I’d also like the knife itself protected from whatever metal brads or fasteners used to hold the metal clip in place. And finally the clip should pretty much hang the sheath in such a manner that half the sheath is below the belt and the handle and hilt just above. That’s a lot of info but your design looks like it provides for all of that…and my compliments…you DO understand what is wrong with most designs.
About how much do you get for something like that and what does your lead time look like?
Vr,
Robert
Morning Robert. I sent you an email in response. If you dont have it please check your spam folder. You can always email me your phone number and I can call if you prefer.