How to Make a Survival Sheath

A knife is a useful tool in a survival situation. Building shelter, cutting firewood, preparing food and making snares are a few of the things for which a knife is used when surviving outdoors. Carrying a knife requires a sheath that secures the knife and protects the cutting edge from damage. The ability to make a knife sheath from non traditional materials is a useful skill that adds to the overall preparedness of an individual to survive outdoors.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard paper towel tube
  • Knife
  • Duct tape
  • Leather or cordura nylon strip
  • 550 Paracord
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Instructions

    • 1

      Flatten the cardboard tube found inside a roll of paper towel. Place the cardboard tube on the ground and mash it flat.

    • 2

      Slide your survival knife into one end of the tube. Push the knife in until the end of the tube meets the pommel or handle of the knife. Push down on the cardboard tube to find the end of the knife blade. Add a half-inch to the length of the tube beyond the end of the knife. Mark the point with an indention made with your thumbnail.

    • 3

      Remove the knife and cut the tube at the marked location. Use the knife to cut the tube straight across.

    • 4

      Cut a 2- to 3-inch strip of duct tape and secure around the cut end of the tube. Wrap duct tape around the tube to strengthen the cardboard. Start at the open end of the tube and wrap down to the taped end.

    • 5

      Lay the wrapped tube on a strip of leather or cordura nylon. Cut the leather from an old shoe or the nylon from pack webbing, as examples. Position the bottom of the wrapped tube even with one end with at least 3 to 4 inches of the leather or nylon extending above the tube.

    • 6

      Attach the wrapped tube to the leather or nylon with duct tape. Wrap duct tape around the length of the tube and the leather or nylon. Wrap the leather or nylon extending above the tube with one or two layers of duct tape for reinforcement.

    • 7

      Cut two slits in the leather or nylon above the tube to allow attachment to a belt. Cut the slits 2 to 3 inches long through the duct tape and leather or nylon.

    • 8

      Wrap 550 paracord around the sheath for use in making traps, shelter and fishing, for example.