Making a Wooden Scabbard
 

Hi all,

I have this Jambiya that requires restoration. The Jambiya scabbard is made of 2 pieces but the upper side was damaged, it was also welded with 2 iron pieces and lead... some sort of a random ugly fix that nearly destroyed the piece. I took it to a jeweller and he fixed it (basically, he added similar decoration and its hard to see that its new) So now the 2 pieces are ready but I am struggling to make a wooden body to fit them on it... I tried twice and I cant shape it properly, the first try the wood was too flat and it looked pretty ugly. The 2nd, i shaped the outside properly but I couldnt put the blade in.. So I tried to thin it but the wood broke :/

Currently am using cupboard covered by a random piece of cloth. A friend told me that I can harden the cupboard by dipping it in some glue and leave it to dry.

Any advice?

Salaams A.alnakkas ~ Do you mean cardboard?? I wouldnt do that as it will crumble . Have a carpenter knock up a wooden sleeve and show him an already complete example ... The carpenter will easily produce a reasonable wooden core... good luck ! Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Hi Lotfy,

At what point of the construction of the wood formers are you having difficulty?
If it were me I'd.......
Start by selecting the wood. I don't know what type is usual, but any fairly soft but seasoned wood should do.
You want two bits obviously, one slightly fatter for the top side.
Make a cardboard template, a few mm larger than it should be, trace it onto both parts and cut them out.
At this point I'd probobly use a line of glue right down the middle to fix them together and let it dry.
Then I'd start shaping the wood. They are usually flatter on the back and more domed on the front. You don't have to get it perfect as it'll all be covered.
I'd suggest using files rather than power tools. Take it slow and get it right.
When it's 'nearly there' smooth with sandpaper.
Split the two halves and trace the blade outline. I'd use something like a dremel to cut the slot for the blade but a purist might want to use a chisel.
keep trying for fit and remember that the wood formers stop short of the top of the top silver sleeve.
When you've got the fit right then glue the two sides together and wait for ti to dry, then you can start thinking about how you want to cover the gap.

wa alaikum elsalam Ibrahim. Yes Cardboard.. no idea why I said cupboard lol. I went to various carpenters but they refuse to do "just that" since it wouldnt pay much you know how?

Hey Gene, Excellent advice. I bought a dremel and most of the ones I worked on were with it. I'll try one more time soon with the things you recommended.

Gav, Stu and a couple of my friends recommended leather, Stu in particular recommended a more natural goat skin with some hair left. What do you think?

I think leather is both beautiful and traditional, but somehow I love velvet which is more indian.. hmm.

For the exposed part of the scabbard?
All of this type I've seen are covered with some sort of hide. Thin leather of any type will probobly be OK, but Stu might well be right that Goat skin is the 'authentic' choice. Thin cow hide shrunk to fit will do though. Especially if you bind it over with twisted wire and the section of belt that they often/usually seem to have.

Making a scabbard..Poplar wood
 

Friends, the oldegaffer site has a very interesting step by step. Poplar was recommended.

I purchased a Choora for Oriental Arms (many bows to Artzi!) and that scabbard had a very pleasant aroma, possibly cedar (?)

http://yeoldegaffers.com/project_scabbard.asp

The process is for a European medieval sword, but the techniques may be transferable to creating scabbards and sheathes for Jambiyas and other types of blade.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1...w=1024&bih=587

I suppose I should have included a pic of a Dharia I have with goatskin used as centre section. :o Never too late though.................