So there I was one lazy sunday afternoon checkin and cleaning my sniper rifle, tightening up some of my kydex sheaths with my hairdryer and polishing up bits and pieces of my collection when who is to say, but I receive a phonecall from an old classmate, Michelle. With a fast racing and ecstatic voice she says to me "S., Darling! Guess what, John and I are getting married." Terribly taken aback, I kept silent for a moment. It was no surprise but at the same time it was a surprise. I wonder how she would look like in a wedding dress. I am sure she has a back of steel up till this day due to years of being in the swim team. "Sugoi da zo Kondo-san. Omedetou gozaimasu!" I congratulated her ecstatically. But in the back of my mind I was thinking {Jesus, I have to tuck my shirt in, and no way I can weak a kydex sheath to her wedding!}
Sebenzanistas interenet wide know him by name. I have been putting it off for such a long time so I emailed G2 aka. Bladeforums' own Gary Graley (chiselededge@yahoo.com) an old bud of mine to (FINALLY) comission him to make me one of this popular custom leather sheaths:G2 Leatherworks. G2 is very sought after for his fancy leather sheaths, and his claim to fame are definitely his custom sebenza sheaths, but that doesn't mean he can't make a fine sheath for any folding knife.. and as he is an old school Balisong fan, Bali sheaths are no exceptiion =)
If this were to be my first commision from G2, then it's got to be a blast. I can say that up to this date, G2 has never made a Bali sheath of this calibre, and I must say i have the first G2 sheath for a Vientenuebe =). Happy-Happy. I know I know.. this isn't exactly a [plastic dream] isn't it? It being Leather instead of Kydex and all.... but hey how can I not feature this. Without further ado, here is it - G2's Veintenuebe horizontal tang in leather sheath elegancia.
Finish : As I try on my dress pants and dress suit, spiffy aren't I? - I have no reservation in showing off this fine piece. I do not have much experience with leather sheaths but I have enough to note that G2's sheaths have a very smooth, tight, and elegant finish. You can tell that either G2 is a genius at leathermaking or took no shortcuts in finishing this sheath - or both!! From the heavy leather to the constant stitching and the smooth coat I have no reservations. Black leather and I always liked the rose & Thorns motiv, and G2 was happy to oblige my wishes in a finely tooled package. If you got it - flaunt it. I like G2's approach at folding knife sheaths, his sebenza sheaths lent themselves really well to the Balisong design, not only doe sit show of your knife, the sheath is pretty flashy in itself. THere was no fraying or any rough edges on the sheath at all.
Function : Per my specifications, G2 made a sheath for my thick belt. Fresh out of the pakcge the belt loop slid easily onto my belt yet hugs tightly onto it so the sheath has minimum, almost zero 'run' on my belt as I draw the knife. The fit of the closed Balisong to the sheath is also very nice and tight. A bit too tight maybe... That is to be expected I guess - but it is to no worry really as this sheath, in my eyes is far from a tactical sheath and more of a showpiece. Moreover considering the size of this knife (5 inch blade) that's a lot of knife the leather can hug onto. If someone were to attack me in a WEDDING of all places then I guess I could only be so lucky. As of now my Kydex sheaths draw the blade faster. This sheath though favours the open face deisgn and thus has to be form fitting, as opposed to a more traditional flap closure which modestly hides your knife from view. I think I prefer the open face design myself actually.
On my belt the knife does 'stick out' either when put in the front or to my side.. mainly because of the length of the bali.. HOwever in future collaborations I woudl probably want to see G2's belt loops to be a little more centered on his sheaths, not completely centered mind you. This thing might not be too obvious for 4 inch bladed sheaths but is evident in longer folding knives. I also wonder how this sheath will perform once it softens up. Keep in mind that everything I say here is based on one fresh new tough sheath.
Final : I have always liked Kydex sheaths, but once in a while you wanna dress up and go out on the town, maybe visit a few old friends and reminisce about yesterday. What can be better than sporting a nice elegant Balisong with a matching tooled leather sheath to go with it? G2 is an all around friendly nice guy who will spare no effort in making you the sheath you desire. G2's sheaths have a nice modern look to them that you will be proud to wear unconcealed. No I don't think Michelle has any LEO friends going to the wedding thank god =). Drop G2 a line (contact info on top of page), take you rtime fabricating the perfect design (may it be in terms of function and fit or artistic tooling) with him but don't take too long cause he DOES have a long waiting list. (as always).
Thank you again G2 for all the special attention you gave me for my elegant sheath =) cheers and good luck to you.
