Leather for making knife sheaths: Raw edge, sheath leather and strap/suspension leather

The leather you need to make your knife sheaths can be found below. There are three main types: raw edge, sheath leather and suspension leather. These are produced in different ways and have different properties, described below. Of the sheath leather subcategory, there are several types that function relatively similarly, but are produced in different ways. That is why there are many different names for these, for example masur leather, schaf, walk, full tanned. blank leather and so on. To make it easy to understand, we call this leather sheath leather, and it is the same type of leather as raw edge, but tanned.

1. Raw edge leather

Raw edge leather is a stiff leather that is widely used to make traditional tolle knife sheaths in Norway. The leather is stiff because it has not been tanned through and has a core of untanned leather. The leather can be shaped after being soaked in water for about 10 minutes. The upper leather can also be moved using rounded tools made of steel, bone or plastic, known as pauting. For carved sheaths, see sheath leather. The leather holds its shape when it dries, and tightens well around the knife and becomes very hard and stable. The result is a light, slim and stylish sheath that is solid and holds the knife well. It is important not to bend raw edge leather too much before it has softened, otherwise the grain may crack.

2. Sheath leather (equivalent to masur leather, fully tanned leather)

Scabbard leather is fully tanned leather of a thickness suitable for knife sheaths, it is used for both traditional carved sheaths, bushcraft sheaths and more American style. In other words, this is a very versatile leather that can be used for most things in sheaths and other things where you want a pliable and flexible leather that is still stiff. It also works great for making straps for maintaining knife edges.

3. Strap leather/Suspension leather

Suspension leather is fully tanned leather that is softer and thinner than scabbard leather, and is well suited for straps and suspensions, for example for hanging knife scabbards from belts.

General information about the leather:

• All leather is vegetable tanned
• Is naturally undyed
• Can be easily dyed with grain ink
• Do you want finished dyed leather? See here: Finished dyed leather

If you have any questions or special preferences that are not met by this, please get in touch!