SBranson
Well-Known Member
I got a request for 3 sheaths with a Canadiana theme. The maple leaf was chosen as the subject.
When I posted a pic after the first two were done on another forum I got a request for pics of the process so I documented the carving of the 3rd sheath.
I am pretty much a noob to the carving thing so forgive some inconsistencies and maybe some mistakes in the process but for what it's worth here's my method. (ever changing as I try more and more)
First off is the raw sheath. This is for a Scrapyard Dogfather. The plan was to make a collar with rings for a Baldric style carry sheath.
Here's the sketch.
Next is laying out the template for the leather. Because of the flare in the sheath and the curves I've added, it's not just a rectangle. I start by only cutting the main center shape and trim the wings that wrap around slowly as I refine how it will fit. Also one has to take into account the difference in the thickness of the paper vs. the leather.
The final shape and the transfer to the leather. I marked out the corners of the actual sheath (red arrows) so I can line up the drawing to be centered.
Punch the hole and line things up again and adjust.
At this point I cut the leather to the final shape and "cased" it. You wet the leather and let is come back to the original colour but it's still damp inside. This allows it to take and hold the shape of the carving and stamping.
There are products for this but so far water seems to work for me.
Transfer the drawing to the tracing film
Set the borders for the carving area. Didn't quite get the hole in the exact place and the leather is a little smaller than the drawing due to sanding and such so I had to move things around slightly to get it to fit.
Trace over the drawing with the stylus tool
Go over the lines with the swivel knife
These are the shading tools I will use. Pear shader, bevelers and spoons.
Stamp in some background detail
Almost finished.
Add some colour and highlights
And here's the finished sheath. I still have to make up the straps.
And here's the other two:
And here's all three together:
When I posted a pic after the first two were done on another forum I got a request for pics of the process so I documented the carving of the 3rd sheath.
I am pretty much a noob to the carving thing so forgive some inconsistencies and maybe some mistakes in the process but for what it's worth here's my method. (ever changing as I try more and more)
First off is the raw sheath. This is for a Scrapyard Dogfather. The plan was to make a collar with rings for a Baldric style carry sheath.
Here's the sketch.
Next is laying out the template for the leather. Because of the flare in the sheath and the curves I've added, it's not just a rectangle. I start by only cutting the main center shape and trim the wings that wrap around slowly as I refine how it will fit. Also one has to take into account the difference in the thickness of the paper vs. the leather.
The final shape and the transfer to the leather. I marked out the corners of the actual sheath (red arrows) so I can line up the drawing to be centered.
Punch the hole and line things up again and adjust.
At this point I cut the leather to the final shape and "cased" it. You wet the leather and let is come back to the original colour but it's still damp inside. This allows it to take and hold the shape of the carving and stamping.
There are products for this but so far water seems to work for me.
Transfer the drawing to the tracing film
Set the borders for the carving area. Didn't quite get the hole in the exact place and the leather is a little smaller than the drawing due to sanding and such so I had to move things around slightly to get it to fit.
Trace over the drawing with the stylus tool
Go over the lines with the swivel knife
These are the shading tools I will use. Pear shader, bevelers and spoons.
Stamp in some background detail
Almost finished.
Add some colour and highlights
And here's the finished sheath. I still have to make up the straps.
And here's the other two:
And here's all three together:
Just loved it and I have to agree
