Decorating a scabbard
A scabbard’s main purpose is to protect the blade and make it easier and safer to carry a blade. But this doesn’t mean they don’t also serve a decorative purpose. While some scabbards are just plain leather, a lot of scabbards have a metal plate folded around the tip and around the opening. These metal plates can be very simple or heavily decorated.
The plate that goes around the tip of the scabbard is called a chape, the plate that goes around the opening is called a fitting.
Installing a scabbard chape or fitting with glue
What do you need?
-glue (multi power glue or super glue)
How to install a chape or fitting with glue?
Installing a scabbard chape or fitting with glue is really easy. Make sure you’re using a strong glue that will work on both leather and metal.
Simply apply the glue on the chape or fitting and/or the scabbard and place it. Different types of glue will have different instructions so always follow the instructions that came with your glue for the sturdiest result.
Installing a scabbard chape or fitting with rivets/nails/screws
What do you need?
-masking tape
-pencil
-drill
-leather puncher
-hammer
-screwdriver
-rivets/small nails/wood screws
How to install a chape or fitting with rivets/nails/screws?
Step 1:
Most chapes and fittings don’t have any pre-drilled holes. Decide where you want the holes to go. The easiest way to mark them on metal is by sticking some masking tape on the metal and drawing the placement marks on the tape.
Step 2:
Drill the holes where you’ve marked them. Make sure the metal is supported and on an even surface when drilling. You can, for example, place a piece of wood in the chape or fitting, so it won’t bend during drilling.
Step 3:
Remove the masking tape from the chape or fitting. Place the hardware on the scabbard and mark where the holes are. Take the hardware off again.
Step 4:
If you’re planning on securing the hardware with rivets or screws, you need to pre-drill holes in the scabbard as well. Use the leather punch or drill, depending on your preference and the thickness of the scabbard, and make holes in the scabbard on the marked spots.
If you’re going to use nails, you can skip this step.
Step 5:
Place the chape or fitting back on the scabbard, making sure the holes all line up. You can now secure the hardware with the rivets or screws. Place them in the holes and use a hammer or screwdriver to secure them.
If you’re using nails, you can simply use a hammer to tap them into the scabbards through the holes in the hardware.
You can find our scabbard hardware here.