New Leather for the 65 Ben Hogan & Large Spear 72
Dave at Knife Leather Traditions is one of those us that loves the Great Eastern Knives and he carries and uses them! Lucky for him, he's also a master leather worker and assembles some of the finest sheaths I've seen. He just sent out a pair of new sheaths that I've added to the storefront worth looking at.
The Ben Hogan is a great knife but can be a bit of a pain to carry in your pocket due to the length. This is the KLT 65BH.
And a welcome addition to some will be the sheath for the new 72 Mini Lockback with the large spear AND the Wharncliffe blade. The original 72 is a pleasure to carry, but I had one on the new large spears returned because it wasn't pocket friendly. Here's an option, the KLT 72Spear.
These sheaths are designed last as long as the knife. They'll hold the knife in place and still allow you to extract it without a pair of pliers. As with all of Dave's sheaths, if you order one, look it over and just feel it's not up to your standards, send it back to me.
I do have some sheaths in stock, but many of these are made on a custom basis so allow about 2 weeks for delivery.
The Ben Hogan is a great knife but can be a bit of a pain to carry in your pocket due to the length. This is the KLT 65BH.
And a welcome addition to some will be the sheath for the new 72 Mini Lockback with the large spear AND the Wharncliffe blade. The original 72 is a pleasure to carry, but I had one on the new large spears returned because it wasn't pocket friendly. Here's an option, the KLT 72Spear.
These sheaths are designed last as long as the knife. They'll hold the knife in place and still allow you to extract it without a pair of pliers. As with all of Dave's sheaths, if you order one, look it over and just feel it's not up to your standards, send it back to me.
I do have some sheaths in stock, but many of these are made on a custom basis so allow about 2 weeks for delivery.
Very nice!!!
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I picked up a couple of Dave's sheaths recently from Greg for the GEC #23 Trapper and Linerlock knives. Every aspect of the work that Dave puts into these translates into a top notch sheath. If you like to carry a bigger knife that is not "pocket friendly" do yourself a favor and try one of these out. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.
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I truly appreciate all the kind words and I'm happy you like the sheaths. One would think that after some 60 years of working with leather I would be able to turn them out in my sleep, but each one is an individual and I am always challenging myself to make the "perfect" sheath. There are over 60 separate steps that go into making every sheath and if something doesn't please me at any point in the process the sheath gets scrapped. I won't let one out of the shop that I wouldn't buy myself because I consider every person who buys one of my sheaths to be a friend and I wouldn't ask a friend to accept second class goods.
My sheaths are built first and foremost for long life and outdoor field use and while I do try to make them attractive as well my goal is that your sheath will last at least as long as your knife.
Thank you again for your kind words. I enjoy making sheaths for folks like you!
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I noticed something curious about the #72 spear point. It seems like the blade could sit quite a bit farther down into the handle when closed.
I wonder why they did it this way? Was it for aesthetics? So that it would look better? That's all I could come up with.
BTW -- is the 72 held tight in the sheath?
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Not sure regarding the blade, but a good question. I've got a feeling that esthetics came into play.
'Is the 72 held tight' is an interesting question. It is held 'securely'. In normal everyday work, hunting, fishing, camping activities, I can't imagine the knife falling out. The knife fits deep in the pouch. Dave builds his sheaths to fit a specific knife pattern. Just like he made two sunfish sheaths (one for the fatter stag and another for the jigged bone) If you put one of the early 72's with a skinner/cllip style blade in the Spear/Wharncliffe sheath, it is loose. That's the beauty of a custom made sheath, it's not one size kinda fits all.
When it comes to knife sheaths and holsters, there's a fine balance between snug and too tight. When you need a tool, there's nothing more frustrating or potentially dangerous than not being able to access it easily, even with wet hands. The tool has to be held securely, but if you can't access it, it's worthless.
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I sure agree on that Wharncliffe blade. With sharpening the point sits higher and higher and can indeed prick a fingertip. I adjusted the kick on my blade and dropped that point down into the frame where it can't do any damage. Then I posted a note on the GEC Forum asking that they make this small and easily done adjustment on the new run of #72's in 440-C with the Wharncliffe blades. Might not hurt to go over there and post comment of your own too.
I am in the process of building a new sheath for the Clip blade #72's, which Greg will have here by the time the new #72's come out. As Greg points out, security is very much a personal thing, but we have options. I wet form the sheaths to the pattern of the knife they are designed to carry and most end up with a fit that allows the knife to be drawn easily with the thumb and forefinger. If a customer wanted a snug fit for added security, we can certainly do that by simply not wet forming the sheath. Not a problem at all. Since most of the sheaths are a custom order item anyway we can make this adjustment, or not, and also give you the option of color choice, (dark brown, light brown, saddle tan, or black). The tightness of fit is very much dependant on the handle material, Stag being a tighter fit than Bone for example. One thing about the leather is that it will stretch a bit but it won't shrink. In a perfect world I would build the sheath with the exact knife it would carry. I use the knives in my own "collection" as models for the wet forming and fit, but I don't own all the different handle materials, so sometimes we have to "estimate" a bit,on Stag for instance,and add a shim when wet forming. So far it's worked pretty well but having the actual knife would give the best fit.
I guess the best security would be a sheath with a top flap on it and we can do those on most any of the sheath patterns. All it takes is a little adjustment and change in the basic pattern.
I hope this helps and everyone isn't bored to tears.
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Greg,
Thanks for this post. I hadn't looked in your store for a #65 sheath....but, probably should have.
And Dave, thanks for crafting a high quality sheath for the Hogan...I love my #65, It's a great carry, but feels like a screwdriver in my pocket. I'd looked all around for a belt sheath, but nothing came close to fitting it ....problem solved.
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I have started work on the sheath for your Hogan. I'll have to check my catalog for the Reddish/Brown dye and see what I can special order for you.
If I can find something suitable it will be a spirit dye rather than the oil dye I usually use but should present no problems. I'll see what I can find and meantime the work will continue. Greg should have the sheath in about two weeks.
I expect this is to be a Right Hand sheath, unless I hear otherwise.
We can also make the sheath a "snug fit" for retention, or a "slip fit" for easy draw with thumb and forefinger. Your choice either way. Just let me know.
The KLT#65 "Hogan" sheath is one of my favorites to build. Thanks for the order. Much appreciated.
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I can get Fiebings dye, which is the best professional leather dye on the market, in Oxblood color. They do not offer a reddish brown but the Oxblood should go very well with the Red Wine Bone on your Hogan. I have the same one also. I'll go ahead and order the Oxblood for your sheath unless you tell me otherwise here.
One more question. If you choose the wet formed "slip fit" for your sheath would you prefer I fit the knife for "head up" or "head down" carry?
I usually fit the sheaths for a "head up" carry, but Greg shows the Hogan with a "head down" carry in the photo above. Slip fit or snug fit, either choice of carry will work equally as well. Again, it's your choice.
This is the advantage of a "custom" sheath. You have options and at no additional cost. I want to build what you prefer to the extent possible.
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