Middle Earth Ranger Forum

I've been needing for ages to sew a sheath for my belt knife, and I'm finally getting to it. Thing is.. I'm at a bit of a loss as to the best way to tackle the project.

Originally I was going to do something similar to Urthgard's sheath:


I've always liked the style, and the style works quite well for the slim seax Ursus crafted for me.
On reflection though, I don't think it will work as well with my new knife. The guard is lovely, but threatens to be a bit pokey worn *under* the belt, especially on a long walk:



I'm wary of going too modern, but I've also lost a knife hanging from historically correct leather thongs. (Also I'd like to avoid being too bouncy)

What's your favorite approach for practical sheath that still fits a fantasy/medieval/Middle-earth aesthetic?

I just finished another new sword scabbard for my blade complete with a weta inspired by knife attached. I believe Greg has done something similar and can back me up on its practical application and aesthetic appearance. For me it’s a way of taking my favorite but most single use/non tool piece of kit and adding to its value as a ranger. I now no longer carry fighting knife in favor of a hand axe on my belt yet it still gives me a medium sized dedicated work knife and cuts down on the belt clutter. There’s just something appealing about having a fine tool attached to my main weapon.

Ursus wrote:There’s just something appealing about having a fine tool attached to my main weapon.

...and gosh, doesn't it draw naturally?! I know you think things through in a very martial mindset...you MUST be enamored with how intuitively your hand finds it.

Elleth...not sure what to tell you. That knife looks a little big for a byknife, and you weren't planning to carry your sword all the time anyway. I honestly don't think your bolster would be all that uncomfortable. You COULD layer up the leather on the body-side of the sheath so the bolster and the sheath are even with one another (no major changes in terrain, so to speak). Might make the difference you need.

While Your Mileage May Vary, I'd urge you to reconsider the historical 14th-15th century attachment method. My pseudo-historical sheath for the Baurnseax works quite nicely for me, with fairly minimal bouncing.
Also you can secure it much better if you use woven cord ( fingerloop or lucet) instead of a thong.

Hmmmm..... Well, my favorite is one where the knife sits on the small of my back parallel to the belt, making it completely invisible under a cloak or long jacket. The only possible issue being that I stabbed a hole in my cloak putting the knife back

I can see why you're concerned about the historical sheath. With a handle heavy knife like that it's easy for it to fall out. Might I suggest a variation of Urthgard's sheath. Instead of leather try poplar similar to the construction of my large camp knife shown below. You could make it like I did with the sheath only covering the blade or like Urthgard's coming up to enclose part of the handle. The weight of the wood keeps it upright, a felt or sheepskin liner will hold it snugly without scratching the blade and the belt loop against the body keeps it from shifting. You could stain then carve the wood or leather cover it.

http://middleearthrangers.org/forum/vie ... ath#p36291

Thanks for the advice all!

Yes, I don't think a scabbard mount is gonna work for me, handy as it sounds. And the small of my back is taken up with a needwallet (which I need to remake at some point: I want it to be a bit taller and narrower so as to properly hold a cordial bottle).

The more I think on it, the more inclined I am to stick with a fairly traditional European center-seam body - maybe with a cordage loop, but perhaps with sewn-on loops or something. Think think think...

Thanks!

One thing I’ve considered has been adding a hidden sheath in my need wallet, but that’s for a smaller knife.

My bush knife is a leuku, and true to the Saami way, it has a thong by which its supposed to hang.
I prefer to shove it under my belt, so it doesn't dangle and swing and so I know it's always there (at least the sheath is).

Yes, I don't think a scabbard mount is gonna work for me, handy as it sounds. And the small of my back is taken up with a needwallet (which I need to remake at some point: I want it to be a bit taller and narrower so as to properly hold a cordial bottle)

I’m not trying to sway you in any particular direction, but for what it’s worth, my need-wallet rides off-center to make room for no small knife. Even if it were smaller, I think I would’ve still stowed it here...the cloak keeps it completely covered but easily accessible.

I did go ahead with my original "Urthgard" inspired one - we'll see how it carries.

The carvings are mimic those on the knife itself, with an extra decorative element inspired by the corners of the Numenorean carpet: I love that little "flower" corner ornament.
I think it mostly works, at least visually.

I carry my sword in a baldric, and built a sheath in for my by-knife onto the lower strap. it's similar to the method of attaching it to the scabbard, but not.

Great work Elleth really like the pattern

I agree...looks great, and keeps the weapon secure. Win/win!

V/r
Grimolt

Elleth wrote:merf-dunedain-knife-sheath-02-on-belt.jpg

You are easter-egging HEAVILY in that photo.

Just saying.