WELCOME TO LEATHERWORK
A quality sheath is more than an accessory.
It protects the edge, protects the user and completes the tool. A well-made sheath becomes part of the axe itself, ageing alongside it and developing its own character through years of use.
Every sheath I make is designed specifically for the tool it carries, combining traditional leatherworking techniques with durable materials built to last.
WHY LEATHER?
Leather has protected edged tools for centuries, and for good reason.
Unlike synthetic materials, quality vegetable-tanned leather is durable, repairable and improves with age. It moulds naturally to the shape of the tool, providing a secure fit while developing a rich patina unique to every sheath.
Like the tools it protects, leather tells its own story.
THE LEATHER I USE
Every sheath begins with premium vegetable-tanned leather.
Chosen for its strength, durability and timeless appearance, it offers excellent protection while remaining easy to maintain and repair.
I carefully select leather that will age gracefully, becoming softer and richer in character with every year of use.
Quality leather isn’t something that wears out.
It’s something that wears in.
BUILT BY HAND
Every sheath is individually made for the tool it will carry.
From pattern making and cutting through to stitching, edge finishing and conditioning, each stage is completed by hand with careful attention to detail.
No two tools are exactly alike, and neither are the sheaths made to protect them.
HAND STITCHED
Traditional saddle stitching has been trusted for generations because of its strength and reliability.
Unlike many machine-stitched products, a properly hand-stitched seam remains secure even if one stitch is damaged, making it an ideal choice for tools designed to last a lifetime.
Strong waxed thread, careful stitch spacing and reinforced stress points ensure every sheath is built for years of dependable service.
FINISHING THE DETAILS
A quality sheath is defined by its finishing.
Every edge is carefully burnished, every stitch inspected and every surface conditioned before leaving the workshop.
Where appropriate, I add traditional maker’s marks and hand-finished details that reflect the craftsmanship found throughout Forgotten Steel.
The result is a sheath that looks as though it belongs with the tool—not simply something added afterwards.
BUILT TO AGE
The finest leather doesn’t remain perfect.
It gathers marks, darkens with handling and develops a patina that reflects years of honest use.
Those changes aren’t flaws.
They’re evidence of a tool that’s still being carried, still being used and still doing exactly what it was made to do.
Like the steel it protects, quality leather only gets better with time.
THE COMPLETE PACKAGE
A restored tool deserves more than a sharpened edge and a new handle.
It deserves a sheath built with the same care and attention that went into the restoration itself.
Together, steel, timber and leather create something greater than the sum of their parts—a tool that’s ready to work today and worthy of being passed on tomorrow.