Adjusting the fit on a kydex sheath.

Rumble

Rumble

Joined
May 10, 2001
Messages
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I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how I can adjust my kydex sheath that came with the Camillus Talon? I like the sheath but it's just a touch loose for my taste.

What can I use? A paint-stripping heat gun? Doesn't sound like a safe thing to do. If so, then at what temperature should I apply the heat?

<shrug>

I really have no idea. The screws are already as tight as they will go.

Anyone got some ideas?

Burton
 
I used a heat gun one time to adjust one of my sheaths.It worked but the results were less then great cosmetically.I heated the sheath in the area I wanted to tighten up and used my fingers to mold the kydex.You have to work fast because it cools back off fairly quickly.
 
Your best bet would probably be to find a maker with a foam kydex press and ask him to do it for you, if you want it to look good. Since you're in Canada maybe you could ask Lightfoot if he can do it.
And be sure to include enough for shipping both ways.
 
Adjusting the fit of a thermoplastic sheath is both easy to do and easy to mess up. Heat gun is the weapon of choice, but a candle flame can also be used if you are careful. The trick is in heating just the area you want to change and no more. You DO NOT want to get kydex/Concealex hotter than 400 deg. - nasty fumes. Hope this helps.
 
Coool, I'll have to give it a try. I'm sure if I'm careful I'll get it right. Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated!

Burton
 
Hi Burton,

I'd avoid the heat until a last resort. Here are instructions from SOG's website on adjusting Kydex sheaths.
My Kydex sheath is too tight. How do I adjust if for tension? -

If your Kydex sheath needs adjusting....follow these instructions. To loosen your Kydex sheath, take the "lip" tightly in your fingers and from the top, bend it slightly but firmly outward (about a third of an inch), holding it for about ten seconds, then checking the new tension with the knife. You may need to repeat this process several times until the desired tension is reached. It is conceivable to get it too loose by over adjusting. Beware when adjusting: You do not want to pull too far, or repeat this process for an infinite number of times because the Kydex can be over bent and the lip can either break or become ineffective. If you go too far and it becomes too loose, push the top of the lip inward (all the way down) and hold for ten seconds. Once you get it where you like it, then leave it there.
Click to expand...
Try this first. Heat might work if your material is too hard to work with otherwise.
 
I just got 3 custom made kydex that are all too tight. The manufacturer has advised me to use a hair dryer to soften and mold to fit. He cautioned against over heating because they are desert camo and could discolor. Haven't tried it yet.
 
Hey Burton...

Generally when I build sheaths,, when I do my final fitting of the knives,, I like to give the sheaths a good coating of some type of hair spray..

The super Hold works the best...

Now,, you have to be careful,because this is where it gets tricky...

While the hairspray is still wet,,Ignite it with a bic, waiting patiently for the flames to subside..

If done correctly your sheath should be ready to carefully be refitted...

If it doesn't work, repeat step #1, and while flames are still burning spray more hairspray onto the bubbling mess...

If by then it still has failed,,,,

Call me,, I'll sell you a new one... :) LOL

Naaa Just Play'N with ya..

Burton I see you are in Canada.. Send it to me I'll fix it for you for the cost of shipping...You have mail...

I can just see Sastre sitting there taking notes,, thinking Ole Normark is giving up a secret.. LOL:)

ttyle

Eric....
 
Way cool folks!
Thanks for the great replies!

I'll definitely try the hairspray trick...I'm always willing to try to fix something myself. Do you think rubbing alcohol would burn too fast if I used that instead?

What about boiling water? You think that is safe?

Eric, I'll check my mail. I'll definitely send it your way if I can't make it work. I was looking at getting something for my new Badger Attack and Greco. Glad you're in Canada. I hate duty charges.

Burton
 
Hey Burton...

Hmmm

Alcohol may burn to fast...

A little Av Gas with a cap of 104 Octane boost should work nice....:)

As far as hot H2o is concerned..
I wouldn't...

too hard to control... However it will work...

Check your mail..

Eric...
 
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