Latest Custon knife donation

[Ron Kulas]

I just finished the 2 knives I'm donating to the Horicon Marsh WBH fund Raiser. Both are Forged Damascus Steel made from 1095 and 15N20 steels. The larger is 6 3/8 long overall and the smaller is a neck knife with a broadhead shaped blade. It's overall length is 3 7/8. The handle is shaped like a bear claw.

Both handle have Hard rock Maple bow laminations as spacers. This is left over from the bow I built for my son. The handle scales are Cocobolo with brass pins. The handles are protected with 5 coats of super glue and buffed to a satin finish. The base is walnut and shed deer antler with a WBH medallion. I still need to make the sheaths.

[Ron Kulas]

Here are the sheaths for these knives. I used 8 Oz. Tooling leather. It always starts with a cardboard template that I fit to the knife until I am happy with the shape. Leather is not cheap but cardboard is free. Then I transfer the pattern to the leather.



After folding the belt loop and attaching it with two brass rivets, I used a swivel knive to cut in an outline for a pattern I would be tooling into the leather.



Then I wet the leather so the tooling will remain after the leather dries.



I used a pear shaped shader to dimple the leather. Here's what it looks like after it dried.



Next, I wetted the fold line, added a welt and used rubber cement to join the welt to both halves of the fold. The welt protects the stitches from the knife blade. Then I punched the stitching holes.



After stitching, I trim the excess leather for an even outline. Then the sheath is soaked in water and fitted to the knife. Its like working with clay. The leather takes the shape and stays put while I use a hair dryer to dry the leather.




While it might be hard to see, I stained the inner pattern with a little darker red/brown stain than the rest of the sheath. After staining, I apply neatsfoot oil and after two days wrapped in a paper towel, I give it a good rub down with warned mink oil. Now it's nicely waterproofed and has a good sheen.





The same is true for the neck knife sheath.





Now everything is ready for the new owner at the Horicon Marsh event.