On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 08:13:22 -0600, "Chas"
wrote:

"Greyangel" wrote
Composite sheathes combine the attributes of the materials soas to
produce
the best sheath possible.
I like the wood 'cause it shapes so much better.

Sure- and remember that you're probably *better off* using a soft, light
wood for your sheathes, as opposed to a heavy exotic, or hardwood.
I collect SEAsian- most of them sheathed in wood, sometimes horn. Often,
they're covered in braided strips of 'bamboo' (who knows what it actually
is), and become a wicker framework construction.
The techniques translate to 'our' kind of usage pretty readily- good stuff.

Chas

Most of the SEA examples in my collection are sheathed in soft, light
woods of various sorts. One, a Philippine barong, has a sheath that is
noticeably luan.

Handles are usually a very dense wood, however.

--RC

"You Know Things Are Weird When Arnold Schwartznegger
Is Governor of California, Ronald Reagan Is One Of Our
Most Beloved Ex-Presidents, And John Kerry Is Running
For President On His Vietnam War Record"