Leathercraft advice needed

[medicevans]

I'm working on a couple knives, and I'd like to make a sheath or two for them. I've also got an idea for a combo leatherman/surefire sheath to wear while at work. Buying a custom means long waits and high prices.

I'd like to get into leather work, but I don't know the first thing about it. Can someone point me to some good resources? I'm not looking to do anything fancy at first, more just working pieces that will be worn everyday. I need to know how to get into it without spending $500 on every tool out there. I don't need everything, just the basics.

Thanks guys!

[deighaingeal]

I find this to be a good primer for sheath making.
NorthCoast Knives Tutorials: Leather Sheath
Anything further there are usually classes offered at your local tandy leather if you have one. I forget all of their locations.
Sometimes a local tack will allow you to onlook as well.

[Sasquatch]

British Blades has some great tutorials, that's how I got started a few years back. Tandy is a great resource as mentioned, very helpful staff in the UK anyway...

The only tools I used in the beginning was a stanley knife to cut leather with, some waxed thread and needles from Tandys, a fork to mark holes, a spoon to wet form and a little flat screwdriver I ground into a diamond awl. Turned out some nice work before getting into tools and carving with next to nothing. Like you I didn't want to spend loads getting someone to do the work for me, I figured if I was going to make knives I'd make sheaths as well. Glad I did! Good luck...

Here's a tutorial for a Scandi, they're trickier to make well than you would think. They have decent tutorials for welted sheaths on British Blades as well that are very easy to do;

Tutorial for a Scandi-sheath

[Pete_S]

There are also a ton of videos about leatherworking on youtube. Of course, it being youtube, some show you what you don't want to do if you want a nice result, but they're still useful.