Chicago screws vs eyelets (rivets)

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temchik

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Sep 18, 2015
Messages
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Hi All,

I am a total newbie thinking about making some DIY Kydex sheaths. I have most of the procedure researched but still wondering, why even use eyelets instead of chicago screws? Is it possible to get smaller than .250" barrel chicago screws so the fit over 2 pieces of 0.080" Kydex? Is there any other way to attach to sheets of kydex together without using the eyelets?

Thank you!
 
Nothing wrong with just using Chicago screws. My first sheaths were done that way and I still do it when warranted.

Chicago screw posts are typically 3/16" (on paper anyway, you may need to step holes up to 13/64). You can certainly get 'em the right length, just look around KnifeKits and such. You'll wanna go with steel or brass and use a light thread locker. You'll need to account for any attachments and use longer posts and screws there.

As for why people use eyelets, they're easier to attach things to without fiddling with retention, they make it easy to lash the sheath to a pack or such, they're not gonna jar loose, and they arguably look better.
 
Got it, thank you! I am browsing KnifeKits right now, but don't see anything smaller than .250
 
temchik said:
Got it, thank you! I am browsing KnifeKits right now, but don't see anything smaller than .250
Click to expand...

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=41_56_411

They have a few listings for .125 (1/8) on there. That should be fine for .080 unless you wanna get longer ones and grind 'em down just under flush (which is tedious).

You might check around (Index Fasteners would be one place to look), as you might do better on pricing for the amount you'll probably want.
 
I see they have .150 at KK as well (which would probably be about perfect), but the posts are smaller. Don't know that I've seen any that length in the normal diameter (and slotted), but might be worth checking around.
 
temchik said:
Hi All,

I am a total newbie thinking about making some DIY Kydex sheaths. I have most of the procedure researched but still wondering, why even use eyelets instead of chicago screws? Is it possible to get smaller than .250" barrel chicago screws so the fit over 2 pieces of 0.080" Kydex? Is there any other way to attach to sheets of kydex together without using the eyelets?

Thank you!
Click to expand...

This is interesting. I actually just picked up a Kydex sheath with Chicago screws instead of eyelets. I dig it, because the maker lined the inside of the sheath with some loop. Hands down, the quietest synthetic sheath I've ever drawn a knife from. As silent as a hedgehog sheath, both in drawing and re-sheathing.

And if it gets dirty inside, the Chicago screws allow me to take the sheath apart.

Eyelets may be slightly more convenient in certain scenarios, but the Chicago screws allow you to do things that eyelets won't. Also, it's easy to just to tighten a loose chicago screw, as opposed to removing and replacing an eyelet that has become loose, and rattles.


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