Changing the Plastic Insert Mold for the Spec Ops Sheath

Rob_Mob

Rob_Mob

Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Messages
2,087
Hey All,


Does any know how or can anyone please provide a detailed and clear step by step breakdown for how to change the insert mold of the Spec Ops Master Long Sheath. I ordered one for my Steel Heart 2 Ergo and was unpleasantly surprised to see how much rattle there is.

Thanks!
 
Rob_Mob, if you mean to just remove the plastic insert, Spec Ops uses velcro to keep the insert in place. I just use a butter knife or ruler to remove it. I slide the ruler down the back of the insert. I found molding these plastic inserts difficult at best. They tend to shrink once heated.
 
DJC72 said:
Rob_Mob, if you mean to just remove the plastic insert, Spec Ops uses velcro to keep the insert in place. I just use a butter knife or ruler to remove it. I slide the ruler down the back of the insert. I found molding these plastic inserts difficult at best. They tend to shrink once heated.
Click to expand...
Sorry my fault --- I should have specified. I'm looking to get the plastic mold to fit the Steel Heart 2 Ergo. At the moment there's too much rattle for my liking.
 
I heated mine with a hairdryer and mashed it. I had to do this several times but it worked pretty good.
 
Hey Rob, I just went through this and it was a pain in the ass but ultimately worked out fine. I had the opposite problem that the BGSFNO did not fit at all. I read somewhere that boiling the plastic would soften it up so I tried that a bunch, but it hardened instantly upon coming out of the water even when I was standing right over it with the knife. I ended up putting it in the oven on tin foil at 250 for 15 minutes. Then jammed the knife in. I had already covered the knife it tape and then oil, which a couple people here have recommended. Once I jammed it in the plastic I sandwiched it between some old foam camping ground mat with a tshirt and put some books on top. The fit was not pretty, but it was my first time. it was bent and the tip of the blade was actually not between the two rivets, but off to one side. Though once it went back in the cordura, it was hard to tell. One last thing. When it's hot the glue on the velcro melts a bit too. It's not a big deal but as you're pulling the plastic over the knife try not to shift the velcro patch.
 
I have a short for my TGLB-M. I tried a hair dryer, but it's hard to heat it evenly. I ended up using the oven. I believe it is Kydex, but check Spec Ops info.
Heat to 250. You only need to heat the sleeve for 2-3 min. Be careful not to heat it too much. I put a terrycloth type hot pad on the counter. (A towel would probably work too, as long as it's not too thick.)
When it came out I slid the sleeve on the blade, laid the knife down with the handle off the edge so it's flat, and pressed down with another hot pad of the same type.
I did do this about 3 times to get it to where I wanted it, it was my first time.:D
It's not going to fit like a BuyBrown or AZWelke, or one our other pro's works, but I was able to get the rattle out.
Please note that it can stink up the house. I did not experience this, but others have.
 
Hey Rob,

I hated the rattle too. But then I stuck the fuzzy sides of Velcro strips to the inner walls of the plastic insert. Now, no rattle, snug-- but not too snug--fit, and they retain a little oil to coat my strippers to boot! I did this for the sheaths that hold my Hellrazor and my SOB. My TGLB has a custom kydex insert by Azwelke.

I have leather for them all, but Spec-ops is great for hiking/camping.

Hope it works out for you.
 
That is a great idea Aias. It also depends in the time your sheath was made. I have several Spec Ops sheaths and all are different. The retaining point at the bottom may have a pressed and folded rivet, a screw, or held in place with velcro. All three ways that I know of can be replaced or redone. Hope this helped. Feel free to shoot a message over brother anytime.
 
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