Alternative BK16 sheath

19-3ben

19-3ben

Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Messages
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This is just a heads up to anyone who is interested, and anyone in the future who is looking for a leather sheath at a reasonable cost for a BK16.

I recently got an ESEE RB3, and it just so happens the RB3 sheath is a bit large for the RB3, but actually fits fan-freaking-tasticcally perfectly on the BK16. I've wanted to replace the clunky OEM sheath with a sleeker leather sheath for a while now, and this fits like it was made for it.

Sure, there's a bit of dissonance seeing a KaBar inside a sheath with the ESEE Camp Lore logo stamped on it, but hey, we're all friends, right?

I like that the handle comes out enough that I can actually get a good grasp on it. One of my pet-peeves with pouch sheaths is when the knife is so deeply buried in the sheet that I have to pinch the last 1/4" of handle with my pointer finger and thumb and try to draw the knife. Not a problem in this sheath. It comes out enough that I can get a good grasp on it, and is still secure enough that if i hold the sheath upside down and shake it, the knife doesn't fall out.

One of the best parts is, the sheath is readily available for about $20 +/-.

IMG_4290.JPG IMG_4291.JPG IMG_4292.JPG IMG_4289.JPG
 
91bravo said:
Blasphemy! A Becker knife inside an esee sheath? I'd rather carry my bk16 in a cardboard sleeve....:D
Click to expand...

Would a little parity make you feel better? Of course, the RB3 is way small for that sheath, but at least this way the Becker has been avenged. IMG_4295.JPGIMG_4296.JPG
 
Another 2 smaller options to replace the larger bk16 sheath are the short kabar leather sheath (not the hard plastic one because the bk16 is too wide for it) & the Steel Will 265 Druid sheath (i found the 265 thick and not slicy in addition to its budget steel, i think the best thing about the knife is that it has a nice sheath with a dangler which can be used for the bk16).
 
Mentioned it elsewhere. Tried the KaBar short leather sheath. Works fine for holding the 16, but is about an inch longer than necessary.
On a 20 mile hike it flopped around quite a bit, and my thigh knocked into it so much that the sheath tip got smashed and the thread started pulling out.
Also stained my backcountry hiking pants black.
Cheap, and fine in a pinch, but not a viable long-term solution, IMHO.

If I was good with leather I'd shorten and perhaps reinforce it. But if I was that good with leather, I'd just build my own.

JRE Industries Bushcraft sheath works well, but isn't necessarily a bargain option - I think I paid less for my custom AZWELKE kydex. A very nice unit, and can be had with a firesteel loop.
 
tjswarbrick said:
Mentioned it elsewhere. Tried the KaBar short leather sheath. Works fine for holding the 16, but is about an inch longer than necessary.
On a 20 mile hike it flopped around quite a bit, and my thigh knocked into it so much that the sheath tip got smashed and the thread started pulling out.
Also stained my backcountry hiking pants black.
Cheap, and fine in a pinch, but not a viable long-term solution, IMHO.
Click to expand...
It will fit the 15 better :thumbsup: but that won't help with the staining issue :D
 
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Sheaths from top to bottom; Factory BK16, Condor Kephart, Steel Will Druid 265, and Buck 104. (The Buck 104 fits the custom rehandled nicely but a stock BK16 is a bit on the loose side for retention.)




Now what to do as far as custom rehandles with rest of the BK16 blanks?
 
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