A collection of PVC sheaths from reader Ugly Rooster - here's his comments:
A little background on the pieces:
Obviously, one of the blades is a Sharpfinger-Old Timer, but the sheath is mine.
You can see a total lack of belt attachment accessories except two holes and cord-
This is totally sufficient and compatible with MOLLE or a similar platform.
Also, placing it under the waist belt makes for a secure ride-high and concealed.
I have worked with Kydex and found that PVC is as easy to work with.
The pictured blades are reciprocating saw blades, once upon a time. So they are free after they are dulled, or they can be had new for about $3 to $7 bucks. They are suited to make fine fixed blade-full tang blades. The one limitation is blade length. They really need to stay at or under 4" if ergonomics, functionality and strength are to be retained. A note about the steel... It is high carbon, heat treated with a Rockwell hardness in the low 50's. Sound familiar? Yep, same steel or similar as to what is in the high dollar blades... If you can find them! The metal is a tad softer due in part to the abuse they are made for.
A note about the steel...
These are already heat treated, so while working them, it is critical to not let them get hot. Dunk them in a cup of water often during the sanding and grinding. Does not apply if you use primitive tools. This cold process will maintain the steels temper. Happy scrounging!
I saw/read somewhere about doing the same thing with hacksaw blades...got to keep them short, but supposed to make a razor sharp, handy little blade in a pinch.
ReplyDeleteUgly Rooster here
ReplyDeleteSimilar steels, hacksaw and reciprocating saw blades. But the size and thickness is quite different. A two and a half inch blade made from a good quality coarse tooth reciprocating blade is very VERY stout for its use. Hacksaw blades tend to be suited for fine scalpel level work.
A side note, the texturing on the sheaths is accomplished by touching the surface with hot metal... Coat hanger, screwdriver, etc... The benefit is providing a gripping surface for drawing the blade out. Also it raises the surface which will protect the paint job and provide camo texture as it gets worn.
UGLY ROOSTER
ReplyDeleteI found another great knife billet source. The replacement blade for limb pruners. I am talking about the extending pole type sold at hardware stores.
The blade is better than a foot long, CURVED, and wider than reciprocating saw blades. I checked into their composition and found they are carbon steel that has been hardened-heat treated. P-E-R-F-E-C-T
Fiscars was the brands of blade I was looking into, I will work up a design and blade and let you know how it turns out.
Any kind of shear/scissor/pruser can be made into a serviceable blade without too much work. IIRC, Randy Church has made at least one knife using an old set of sheep shears!
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