Mike Stramiello

Leatherworker

Mike Stramiello is a Leatherworker based in Wilmington, North Carolina. He founded Beast Belts and Knives, a Leather Products business in 2020. He initially got involved in the field when he started blacksmithing knives. He couldn’t find the kinds of leather sheaths he wanted for his knives in his area, so he started leather smithing. After years of honing his craft, he started selling his custom-made wares and consistently has a wait list for his products. In addition to the items that are regularly available on his website, Mike builds one-off creations for his website and holds product auctions on his Instagram page. Beast Belts and Knives custom belts, rugs, bags, weapon sheaths and holsters, and other special order items. Mike takes pride in his handmade luxury custom leather work and bladesmithing creations.

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Q&A Comments (9)

What other materials can I use to wrap a knife handle?
You can also do leather braiding. They’re durable, attractive, and offer a solid grip. One option is magic braiding. This method uses a single strip of leather with two slits cut into it. By carefully folding, twisting, and spinning the leather, you create a braided pattern that’s both functional and decorative. Another option is a wrap-style braid that is used on bullwhips. This kind of handle gives a firm hold but is elegantly finished. However, creating this type of braid can be a bit tricky, and you might need to watch a video tutorial to master the process.
How do I make a knife sheath?
Start by sketching the design that you want on paper and tracing your knife for accuracy. Let the knife’s shape guide the design—curvy blades work well with flowing styles, while straight blades suit structured designs. Leather is a natural material, so look out for scars or weak spots and use the strongest areas. Fold the leather around the knife like a taco to form the basic shape, and decide if you want the handle fully covered or partially exposed. Add a snap or strap to secure the blade, especially for upside-down carry. Consider including a welt, an extra leather layer that protects the stitching from the blade, though it’s optional. Stitch the sheath by hand with strong thread or use a machine capable of handling leather. Finally, dye or condition the leather for a durable, polished finish.
How do I make a leather handle?
It's always a good idea to start by designing your handles on a paper and then tracing the tang to make sure that it fits perfectly. Cut strips of leather to match the tang's size and shape, making sure the leather is strong and free of weak spots. Wrap the leather tightly around the tang by layering it for a secure and comfortable grip. Use strong glue or epoxy to hold the leather in place, and secure it with pins or rivets if needed. Once it’s attached, shape the handle with sandpaper to smooth out edges and ensure it feels comfortable in your hand. Finish your handle by conditioning the leather to protect it and give it a polished look.
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Co-authored Articles (17)

Bind Your Own Book at Home: A Beginner's Guide

Learn how to bind your own booklet using string, tape, or ribbonDo you want to start a scrapbook, nature journal, or diary? You can, of course, buy a suitable book at the store, but if you really want to make it your own...

How to Wrap a Knife Handle with Paracord

Make a comfortable and sleek grip for your blade Wrapping paracord around the handle of a knife or similar tool gives the handle greater traction, making it easier to hold. There are multiple ways to wrap paracord. Most ...

How to

Make Leather Bracelets

Tired of paying high prices for leather jewelry you could easily make? Then get out your crafting gear, and make your own leather bracelets from scratch! The process is easy, and you will be left with a handmade, sophist...

How to

Make a Knife Sheath

When you keep a knife on your person, the blade should remain in a sheath when not in use. Instead of purchasing a sheath from a distributor, design and create a personalized leather knife sheath to wear on your belt. Ha...

How Is Leather Made, Tanned, & Finished at Home?

Everything you need to know to make leather at homeLeather is a material made from the skin of an animal using tanning or other similar processes. Leather is not susceptible to bacteria and decay because of the altering ...

2 Effective Ways to Tan a Hide at Home

The ultimate guide to tan a soft and velvety hide If you hunt deer and other animals for their meat, why not use their hides as well? Treating a hide with a tanning process ensures you end up with a supple piece of leat...

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Make Knife Handles

There is a certain beauty to handmade knife handles. The process of making custom knife handles may take a while, but it is easy once you know what to do. Best of all, you can have a beautiful custom knife to show off at...

How to

Blunt a Sword or Knife

Although most people want their knives and swords to be as sharp as possible, there are times when a blunted blade is better. Blunting a blade's edges will rob it of its ability to cut. A blade will naturally blunt with ...

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Forge a Knife

A comprehensive guide to make your very own knife There's nothing worse than being unequipped! Now, that isn't to say that you'll ever be in a situation where you have no choice but to forge your own knife, but who knows...

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Emboss Leather

Leather working uses special tools to impress designs onto a leather surface. You can create a relief design by either stamping or pressing a metal shape into unfinished leather. If you don’t have leather tools, choose...

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Leather Bind a Book

Bookbinding looks intimidating, but it is actually quite easy, albeit time consuming. Leather-bound books are classic and beautiful. With some cardboard, paper, thin leather, and a few extra basic supplies, you can creat...

How to Shrink Leather Gloves with Water or Rubbing Alcohol

Shrink stretched-out leather gloves back down to size Through wear and tear, leather gloves can begin to stretch over time. Leather gloves ideally should fit snugly, but not in a restrictive way. If your favorite pair of...

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Braid Leather

Leather braiding is an ancient art form that looks amazing and is easier than it may seem. There are several techniques for braiding leather, including the traditional 3 strand braid, the trick braid, and the 4 strand br...

How to

Bark Tan

Bark tanning is the ancient process of creating a durable, water-repellent leather by tanning animal hide with tree bark. Bark tanning takes several months to complete but will result in a finished leather that you can u...

How to

Tan a Deer Hide

Learning how to tan a deer hide is not a difficult task, but it does take some manual labor and a lot of time. The end result of your manual labor is a pliable deer hide you can use for any number of projects, including ...

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Make a Knife

Making a knife from scratch can be a fun, rewarding, and useful metalworking project. It's time-consuming and work-intensive, but if you follow these steps you'll have a brand new knife before you know it.

How to

Clean Leather Pants

Keep your leather clean and spotless with these quick tipsLeather pants are fashionable and fun to wear. However, you must proceed cautiously when cleaning them. To keep your leather pants nice and fresh, start by readin...