I wanted to share my first attempt at a scabbard. I think its coming along pretty nicely. Details - It has a poplar wood core, sandwich method, not carved. I shaped it using a wood plane and sandpaper. It has been lined with wool felt and it is super snug to the blade. When held upside down, the sword will not slide out, even if I shake it. It's really snug, which I like a lot. I have no chape at the moment as you can see, but can add one at a later date if I make one (never have) or buy. I purchased the leather from ebay as well as the straps/belts (1.5" wide, 6-7 oz leather straps, vegetable tanned). The straps I dyed myself. The main scabbard leather came from ebay this color, which I actually liked a lot so left it alone. The leather was a remnant and I believe it was 3-4 oz weight, I think. At this point, I am mostly done with this project. As you can see, I have no buckles yet and am still, not sure if I will end up using some kind of buckle or the other method I see where you split the belt and tie it through 2 holes in the shorter belt (sorry, not sure what that is referred to). Getting the belts integrated was probably the most challenging part for me. Other than some grip re-wraps, this is the first time I really worked with leather in earnest and I have learned a lot. Many thanks to all those great scabbard makers out there that have shared their methods on the web, those kinds of resources are so important for a do it yourselfer.















edit - grammar problems

Looks great!

I don't think you need either a buckle or chape. As you mentioned, split end tied belts are quite typical. Many artistic depictions show no sign of a chape...

...I think its fine just the way it is. Good first attempt

Wow! hat's nice Bryan.

I wish I had the skills to pull off a nice hanmade scabbard.

That's a beauty for sure.

Well done, Bryan! If you are going to wear it at cons or fairs, I'd recommend a chape. It protects the tip from getting messed up.

Best regards,
Thomas

You nailed it Bryan, as good as the pro really.
Clean lines, clean cuts, very neat sewing. Could not be better for the sober design you chose.
You did remarkably well on the belt lacing too.

Your leather shape works quiet well too. You could afford a $40 metal one, or make one yourself by rolling a sheet of steel to a cone then hammer it to refine the ouline, then solder it. I've done one this way for the one below. PM me if you d' like more details, it's really not so hard to make.

J

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Nice work my friend.

Thanks all for the comments.

Does anybody have a picture of an integrated scabbard being worn, without buckles? The style that is tied on? Is there any trick or method to making the knot?

I have yet to find a good illustration so would be guessing. I am talking about this type of scabbard design

From http://www.yeoldegaffers.com/

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How 'bout some period illustrations?

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It's really just as easy as it looks. The belt is split into two tongues. Each tongue passes through one of the slits on the other part of the belt. They are then knotted... Nothing deceptive or complex about the system.

As far as I can tell, the belt is tied with a slip knot. This way there is only one loop on top and the belt can be loosend by pulling the string down.

http://www.animatedknots.com/slip/index.php?C...dknots.com