LOL @Hanzo ... not really... just honest... can't remember off the top of my head but a talented Monkey posted a pic of his dyed and finished "Bear Sheath" (heh heh heh... get it ... Bear Sheath... Bare Sheath... LOL... never mind...)
Sound great to me since I have only had leather sheaths (no problems) and more interested in the quality of the blade and handle.
I have an ingrained thing about salt water, leather and brass rivits. You might call it a mil spec thing!
Wow! Came home from work and had a package from @Bear. My wife had neglected to mention that it arrived today. Shipped Tuesday, arrived in NC on Thursday...YES! Now, on to the Mountain Monkey...it's AWESOME. Beautiful work sir, absolutely gorgeous. Engraved with initials and @Bear's forge, razor sharp and just a thing of beauty to behold. Yes, it's a working tool but that doesn't take anything away from the craftsmanship, not a whit. The handle it beautiful and fits my hand like a glove. My wife was worried my hand would be too big but nope, perfect. I'm a leather and rivet guy and the sheath is awesome. Not sure what I'll end up doing with it...may just oil it, we'll see. This is my Christmas present and I was going to leave it in the box for the next two weeks but my wife convinced me (not that it took much more than suggesting) to open it up and check it out. I can't leave it under the tree, I can just see the dog going after the sheath and doing some real damage to himself with the enclosed blade, but it's out and I'll find something to use it on shortly. @Bear (I think that's the most I've ever called someone in a single post), you truly are a master craftsman and it would have been a deal at twice the price. Thank you sir, for sharing your talents with us. I am twice blessed now to have two (well, three since I have two flint/steel kits) of your expertly crafted tools and works of art. Thank you.
Mine is here too, 'cept mine is now going on to one of the kids. Boy that handle is sure pretty and the sheath fits to a "T". Gonna hate to see this blade leave on Saturday but I gotta do what I planned! Anyway the best gift is one you hate to see go so I have pleasure in knowing where it is. Thanks Bear it's a beaut.
Thanks for all the kind words @DarkLight ... ya'll are making me blush through all this fur... .... I'm very happy that you like it... and don't mind it being a "working tool"... those are the best kind so I take that as an ultimate compliment... I'm also super pleased that the handle fits your hand... I've tried really hard to make one that fits a variety of hands... I believe it's tough to use a tool if the handle doesn't fit and feel good ... especially after using it for a long time with or without gloves... so that's a big one... thanks for commenting on that! Glad you like the sheath... "Bear Sheath" style... no frills ... just what this old fart thinks works.... Once again... thanks for all the kind words... they mean a lot to me.... I hope to provide to good value and "go to" tools for the those that use them... collectors probably wouldn't be looking at "Bear" stuff Thanks again @DarkLight , Have a great Friday! Take Care and God Bless, Bear
Aloha @HK_User , Thanks for letting me know yours arrived... and that you like it as well... It's quite a compliment that you are giving it as a gift.... hope they like it and that it serves them well.... Appreciate the comments as always and the confidence in me and my work... Take Care and God Bless, Bear
@Tully Mars most tack places have copper rivets and burrs.... my mistake calling it a washer... I'm on a couple leather forums and seems like stainless rivets and burrs are impossible to find... but like I said... I've peened hundreds of copper rivets... stainless has to be 4-5 times as hard I would imagine... I might just hit the hardware store and do some experimenting on my own Thanks for the comment and question... Take Care and God Bless, Bear
All this talk about wood sheaths... @kellory , @HK_User and @Hanzo etc... thought I would post some pics my good buddy who shall remain anonymous gifted to me it's a good and the only example of a wooden sheath I have on me...
You might look into an auto-hammer, for riveting. It strikes several times per second, and you just need to guide it. Last one I saw was even rechargeable.
Here's some pics for @HK_User and @Mountainman who have #1 of 4 and #2 of 4 of this limited double thick edition... I might renumber them... 2 of the wide blade and 2 of the parangish (middle in the picture back a few posts).... so both of you would have #1 of 2 Limited Edition.... 2 left... Almost done finishing the handles... still need to clean it up a bit but thought I would snap these so you know what they look like with handles.... These two are going to one guy here who requested one koa (like those I will be making for the limited edition of 4) and one bamboo handle (thought I would show it here as it was influenced by our own @Hanzo , who right now has the first and only bamboo handle on a tool I have ever done... the bamboo is structural bamboo that is pretty thick and dense... ask @Hanzo why he wanted it and how he likes it, triple liner, black white black... PIA... 3 days to make that ... waiting for the GFlex to dry but it sure is nice on the parangish one.. ) Let me know what you think... no worries if you change your mind after seeing handles on.... these will have curly koa handles with black liners like the one in the picture... Thanks again everyone for the kind comments... Take Care and God Bless, Bear
Thanks @kellory Gonna need to check that out... not that I need another tool... but it sounds cool besides... hammering with my hands builds good eye hand and muscles .... wimmins like that I am told...
Yup @kellory ... wood is really nice a well.. nice color with some orange in it as well... too much work fitting it IMHO... Although I suppose a router would make that job a bit easier... final fit with precision chisels... Any idea what kind of glue they use... gotta be pretty good stuff... maybe... Gorilla Glue!!!!! Japanese do a lot of wood sheaths ... a whole art unto itself... I'm too old for this stuff Bear
Do NOT use Gorilla glue. It expands so not really appropriate for wood. Wood glue probably best. Then reinforce with binding. That would be my suggestion or at least what I would do.
While the style of the blade doesn't suit me personally, I gotta say WOW! That sheath is beautiful! Shore is a purty thang
Like the idea of the 1 of 2 Limited Edition for each blade design. Blades and handles look great, would never complain about your work, and I can't wait to receive it.
Hey @Bear, I have one just like it from the same guy. He's ok, huh? Mine has a ding in the edge that I will work out at some point. I do it all by hand so a bit of elbow grease is forthcoming.
Any idea what kind of glue they use... gotta be pretty good stuff... maybe... Gorilla Glue!!!!! " I would agree, no gorilla glue. I would use exterior wood glue, it is waterproof. But be careful to use it only on the joints, because it will also seal the wood, and prevent stain from entering the wood.
