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Pros: Overall Quality, Durability, Carry Position
Cons: None
Great Price - Has Welt
This leather sheath may be made in Mexico, but I couldn't make one myself for this price. And it has a leather welt (about 3/32nd inch thick) between the outer layers of leather to protect the stitching from your sharpened blade. Like other reviewers, I purchase two for the Old Hickory butcher knives. I considered (and am capable of) making one from the rolls of leather I have gathered over the years. But could I make one for materials and time at less than 10 bucks? I will re-cut the slots for the retention strap and snap closer to the hilt of the knife, then move the existing strap to the new, lower spot. This does two things: First - it keeps the knife from bouncing/drifting halfway (or more out of the sheath before capture. Second - it allows the sheath to "drape" more naturally if the sheath is attached at the belt line. A bonus is that some Jute or cotton twine can then be wrapped/braided in the original slot (up high) to use as tinder material. Soaking the twine in wax (paraffin or bee's) extends the burn time of the tinder a bit, too. Just cut the twine from the sheath storage spot, fuzz up the end of the twine, and use sparks from a ferro rod or other ignition source to light the kindling. Yes, I'll probably add a few more slots for additional tinder. I'll wax or preserve the leather bits as needed, too. I may experiment with leather stains/dyes. Hey, it's not a $100 custom sheath. Why not personalize? I also bought a third copy as an experiment. I've read reviews of some other leather sheaths from Mexico (and Knife Center) that fold-over, but they reportedly don't have the necessary protective welt. I will pull the stitching from this third copy, modify the leather to accept my antique (1970's vintage, 1095 steel, made in USA) Old Timer 6" Deerslayer, then re-stitch with my hand-stitcher. The Deerslayer's 6" blade fits fine in width, but the 7" sheath is too long until I make my modifications. If it doesn't work out? Hey, it's less than $10. Knife Center service was excellent, as always. NO expedited shipping charges but they had everything delivered in less than a week. The Knife Center folks are my "Go To" source for most of my blade-related toys and tools. They've earned that standing.
