Black Kydex? Camo Concealex? or Carbon Fiber Concealex?

Hello,

Well I have used KYDEX for years both in the .063 and the .093 52100 Black Calcutta
color.

It always has performed great for me,
then i ordered a few sample`s of CONSEALEX
from Victor at Blade tech.

I have to tell you , I LOVE CONSEALEX!!

I have been Currently Using CONSEALEX for my Knives Exclusivly, it has fantastic Characteristics that have all the Attributes
that made KYDEX popular, but it Expound`s on them to higher degrees of performance.

I LOVE the way it Hand Forms, and the Way it finishes when Grinding to shape after forming.

And if you know how to properly Form a Sheath out of it, it does not MAR up the Blade Finish in my experiance. but like i said ya have to know how to Form it to a Knife to alliviate Blade finish Wear.

It Also seems to me to be of a harder material structure than Kydex but exibits the Same Flexional Characteristics.

The Best Part to me as a Knife and SHeath maker is it Cost effectivness compared to KYDEX, Less expensive and higher Quality
is one reason i desided to use it.

Its also available in some neat patterns.

I know i am Glad i switched to COnsealex as my Standard Material, although i still do use KYDEX when requested.

As Far as my Opinion,,, CONSEALEX is the WAY TO GO!!!!!!

Thanks ,

Allen Blade
 
I am still partial to Kydex. I just like the way it acts better than Concealex. I can make sheaths with either material, but when it comes down to it my loyalties are still with Concealex. I haven't seen the CF pattern in person yet, but in my opinion, the simpler it looks the better. I have a feeling that the CF pattern would be cool at first, but then a little too loud for my tastes. What can I say? I'm a minimalist, I guess...

------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/kydex.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Lynn,
I have visited your web site a few times, I think your Back-Up Series is great. Both functional looking and pleasing to the eye. With the colors on the handle material I think you should try some complimenting color shades in place of the black or camo. Try using an imaging program to vary the colors of your sheaths for an idea of what I am talking about.
I personally have never found the camo concealex as much of an innovation for concealment. The ultimate concealment, both visual and sonic, can be found over in the Blade-Rigger forum.
As far as black synthetics goes. I find very little differences between concealex and kydex. I've heard alot of subjection on both materials and which one is "blacker". I think the end users really will not care or even notice.
The carbon fiber texture is great and looks neat on sheaths that have to be carried in the open. Again, I think this texture in earthy colors would look great on non-tactical sheaths and holsters.

And of course there is always <FONT SIZE="+2" COLOR="#F1550A">HUNTERS ORANGE</FONT>
smile.gif

 
I want some Carbon-Fiber pattern to mold bike parts with...chainguard, fairing inner cover on my one-off fairing, etc. Then do sheaths to match and...ohhhhh ya baybe.

Jim
 
Don't forget C-F pattern body armor and a helmet painted to match. Ya baby! On or off the bike.
smile.gif
 
I have a Desert Camo pattern sheath that trace Rinaldi made up for me and it looks pretty neat, but that was before I saw the Carbon Fiber stuff. I really like the CF pattern, it is very nice looking and a bit more subdued, the camo sticks out when on my belt, CF is less, flashy, I guess is the word I'm looking for. My .02

------------------
A dedicated ELU
Buck Collectors Club Member
Knifeknut(just ask my wife)


 
RadarMan, I agree with you 100%. I think the main difference, vivually, between Kydex and Concealex is that the Stealth Black Concealex has less texture and less shine to it. OTOH, Kydex offers its range of products in about a dozen different textures (a couple of which are very close to Concealex's) and a ton of colors, including hunter's orange! I'd be interested to see what the availability and pricing is on the different textures and colors, but even so, a 4' x 8' or neon orange would go a LONG way!
wink.gif

I would like to work more in earth tones, like soft greens and tans, but again, the cost and availability are probably a factor, not to mention the fact that black is "the rage" these days! I have some gray Kydex that I can hardly give away and I think it looks really sharp with aluminum hardware or black. Oh well...I guess it'll be my own personal stash!
As far as your comments on Blade Rigger, how does that coating feel? Is it sticky? I really am turned off by the look of the stuff, but I can see its value in terms of concealment options as well as for grip.

------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/kydex.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Hi Lynn,
I have several Kydex & Concealex sheaths. As a user, I can't distinguish any differences in performance characteristics. As long as they are well made, properly fitted, and of a thickness & size appropriate to the knife they both do the job well. Unfortunately, I've seen some that weren't. I'm not a maker so I can't comment on any nuances between them from that perspective.

As to color, I think it is a matter of matching the knife's appearance & purpose. In addition to black, I have OD green as well as both glossy & matte CF finishes. If concealment/potential glare is not an issue, I'd go with one of the CF patterns. FWIW, I think a glossy CF sheath would look great with a white micarta handled Sniper.

------------------
Cheers,

--+Brian+--

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride.


 
From my limited experience with these I would have to go with the black Kydex or black Concealex. What can I say, I too am a minimalist in some respects.

------------------
I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be and atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.
*Abraham Lincoln

Romans 1:20-22

 
Overall, I'm pretty impressed with both. Concealex does have a huge advantage in being able to come in many patterns and colors, but Kydex has a bit more "hardness" to it. I've seen some Concealex samples which felt "spongy", but that may have been because they were samples.

I have nothing but praise for the CF Concealex sheaths that Mike Sastre made for us from the material donated by Victor at BladeTech / Concealex. They are very, very, very nice indeed, so in the right hands, it's up to the maker / user as the material is certainly up to the task.

Spark

------------------
Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Spark,
When talking of colors did you mean Kydex has the advantage? I can't imagine there being many more colors than what Kleerdex offers. Have you seen the speckled kydex? You can conceal your bread knife on your counter top!
As far as textures go, I am quite sure that most textures on synthetics are standard patterns and have industry names and numbers. Concealex just happens to be focusing on the Cutlery/Firearms market and breaking from the standard molds. LUCKY US!!!


------------------
&gt;)-RadarMan-(&lt;
age:38
A good word now is worth ten on a headstone -- Vermont Proverb
Click to expand...

 
Radarman,
While there are many color options with Kydex, they are not available in small quanities. I don't have access to colors of kydex other than black, unless I want to order 9 sheets that are 4'x8'. Since black is the most popular color, that would be very foolish for me to do. BTW shipping on 4'x8' sheets is outrageous.

------------------
Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
Lynn,
Good point....
Lets say you did have access to other colors, would you use them? If so, what might you use?
I think I feel a new thread coming on............
smile.gif


------------------
&gt;)-RadarMan-(&lt;
age:38
A good word now is worth ten on a headstone -- Vermont Proverb
Click to expand...

 
Hi Guys...

I wouldn't mind Blaze Orange myself!!

I've used the CF and although it's very nice material,,it acts slightly different that Stealth Black..Looks better on small blades.

If you get a chance to try the OD,, it's pretty sweet and looks Very sharp,especially on a military blade with black hardware...

Is there anyplace that sells diff colors of kydex in small orders ???

Thanks...

Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical

------------------
Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel


 
I just got off the phone with Victor at www.blade-tech.com I suggested that he offer Concealex in Camo Orange. I also suggested that he offer a couple of neon looking colors like neon blue, and neon pink, for use on neck knives for ladies. Guess what. He is going to run some off in those colors, to see how it goes. If you are interested in getting some of those new variations you should call them. This company is great. They cater to knifemakers wants and needs. Where else can you make a suggestion like that, and have your desires come to life (well other than custom knifemakers)?

------------------
Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com



[This message has been edited by Lynn Grififth Knives (edited 11 November 1999).]
 
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