Bushcraft leatherwork covers gear that is carried, worn and used outdoors. Common projects include knife sheaths, axe masks, fire-starting rod loops and pouches. Most of this gear is made to fit one specific knife, axe or tool, so measure the item before you cut anything.
Common Bushcraft Projects
- Knife sheaths, often molded to the blade.
- Axe masks, which cover the bit of an axe and are held on by a strap or snap.
- Ferro rod loops, which hold a fire-starting rod.
- Possibles pouches, small pouches for carrying essentials.
- Belt pouches, which attach to a belt.
- Danglers, hinged loops that let a sheath swing from a belt. They are handy when you are sitting or crouching.
Choosing Leather
- Sheaths: vegetable-tanned leather in 7-10 oz. It can be wet-molded and holds a knife by friction.
- Possibles pouches: 4-6 oz, often with a gusset and a flap.
Chrome-tanned leather is a poor choice for molded sheaths because it does not hold a shape well.
Knife Sheaths: Welts, Stitch Lines and Retention
A welt is a strip of leather placed between two layers. Make it at least as thick as the knife’s spine, so the blade’s edge cannot cut through the stitches.
Keep the stitch line about 1/4 in (6 mm) from the welt’s inside edge, and keep the stitching away from the cutting edge.
Retention depends on the knife. Scandi-grind knives often use a deep friction-fit sheath. Others use a retention strap or a snap.
Wet Molding
Wet molding shapes vegetable-tanned leather around a blade:
- Soak the leather in room-temperature water until the bubbles stop.
- Wrap the blade in cling film, then press the wet leather around it to form the shape.
- Dry the sheath at room temperature for 24-48 hours.
Gentle low heat can harden the leather further, but keep it under about 60 °C. Practice on a scrap before you mold a finished piece, and handle the blade carefully while the leather is wet.
Thread and Stitching
Use 0.8-1.2 mm waxed polyester thread. Saddle-stitch the seams rather than using a machine lockstitch, since the saddle stitch is the more durable choice.
Pouches, Loops and Danglers
Pouches often use a gusset and a flap. Ferro rod loops need a tight friction fit and sometimes a small keeper strap. An axe mask needs a stitched or riveted pocket that covers the bit, with a strap or snap to hold it on.
Waterproofing and Care
- Beeswax blends, dubbin or Sno-Seal work well on finished vegetable-tanned leather. Neatsfoot oil conditions it.
- Waterproofing finishes resist water, but leather never becomes fully waterproof.
- Store carbon-steel knives out of their sheaths. Storing them in leather for long periods encourages rust.
Safety
- Test the sheath’s retention upside down before you take it into the field. A sheath that holds a knife when it is upright may not hold it while you move.
- Keep stitches out of the blade path, so the knife cannot cut through them.
For other leather gear built for outdoor use, see the leather quiver guide. For more project ideas, see the DIY leather projects overview.