Abstract: A knife sheath has a skeleton housing and an attachment that is continuous with the skeleton housing at its upper end. A liner is formed within at least part of the interior of the skeleton housing and a coating is formed over at least part of the exterior of the skeleton housing. Preferably, the liner covers the entire interior, and the coating covers the edges and lower end of the skeleton housing, except for an optional access opening in each case. The liner and the coating are desirably continuous through communication holes in the skeleton housing and made of the same material. The skeleton housing is preferably made of a rigid plastic, and the liner and coating are preferably made of an elastomer.

Abstract: The blade of a folding knife is pivoted on a D-shaped pivot axle which also serves to lock the side pieces and belt clip of the knife in place. A thumb pin used to open the blade is also D-shaped and press fit into place in the blade. The blade has transverse grooves at its base to aid in extracting the knife from a sheath. The blade is locked into place by a side-lock plate, which is held in place by ridges in the side pieces. The side pieces are preferably made of rigid plastic, but with soft inserts in the sides for improved gripping.

Abstract: A folding knife has first and second blades pivotably mounted about a common pivot pin to move between their respective open and closed positions. Preferably, the two blades pivot in opposite directions about the pivot pin. A side lock plate is positioned between the first blade and the second blade. The side lock plate includes a first finger biased toward the first blade to engage the first blade when the first blade is in its open position, and a second finger biased toward the second blade to engage the second blade when the second blade is in its open position. The fingers can be independently depressed to unlock the blades and permit them to be closed.

Abstract: A knife has a fixed blade, a plastic base fixed to the tang of the blade, and a rugged rubber grip fixed to the plastic base. A visible portion of the plastic base extends along a back of the knife and also forms a hilt and forwardly swept guard. A visible portion of the rubber forms a grip along the bottom and sides of the handle, and also a thumb rest along the top of the handle at the guard. The handle is formed by injection molding the plastic to the tang of the blade, and thereafter injection molding the rubber to the plastic. The plastic base has features thereon for ensuring that the rubber is strongly fixed to the plastic. The base and the grip are made of strong, tough, damage-resistant materials.

Abstract: A knife has a handle, a blade joined to the handle and having a blade back, and a fabric cutter integral with the blade. The fabric cutter includes a fabric cutter body extending laterally outwardly from the back side of the blade, with the outwardly extending margin of the fabric cutter body defining a fabric cutter back. A finger extends rearwardly at least about 0.2 inches toward the handle from the outward margin of the fabric cutter body. The finger and the blade back are substantially parallel to each other and separated by a distance of from about 0.100 to about 0.150 inches to form a fabric cutter slot having a cutting edge at its bottom.

Abstract: A knife comprises a handle, a blade having a blade back, and a hook integral with the blade. The hook includes a hook body extending laterally outwardly from the blade back side of the knife blade. A finger of substantially constant diameter and with no sharp edges extends rearwardly toward the handle from the outward margin of the hook body. The finger preferably has a length of at least about 0.2 inches and is displaced laterally outwardly from the adjacent portion of the knife back by a distance of at least about 1/4 inch. The finger is oriented at an angle to the handle of at least about 5 degrees. A slot defined by the hook body, the finger, and a portion of the blade back includes a straight cutting edge oriented at 90 degrees to the finger, and centering ramps that guide the material being cut into the cutting edge.

Abstract: A tape rule holder of the type used by carpenters, plumbers, electricians and other trades persons formed from two die cut flat pieces of heavy duty, top grain saddle leather. The back piece of the tape rule holder includes belt slots in its upper section. The front piece or pocket-forming member of the tape rule holder is configured in its flat pre-assembly form with peripheral side rivet areas and a bottom rivet area, each defined by a fold line. When the front piece is riveted to the back piece there is formed a tape rule pocket comprising a front wall, side walls and a bottom wall and the side walls present on their inner portion side pocket pressure detent ridges. A leather strap member is affixed to the back piece and has a forwardly arched portion within the tape rule pocket to form an inner back pressure ridge which together with the side detent ridges apply pressure to a tape rule inserted into the leather tape rule holder to grip and maintain the tape rule therein against accidental dislodgement.

Abstract: An improved composite laminated fabric sheet material for use in the fabrication of abrasion and tear resistant carpentry and other tradesmen aprons and nail bags, tool pouches and tool holders, belts and back supports, cordless tool holsters, knee pads and other related items and incorporating edge binding and seam binding strip fabric material to form pockets and pouches of the composite fabric sheet material and to protect the edges thereof.