Could I use .060 kydex for a Scrapyard 711

S

southernfryedyankee

Joined
Dec 12, 2009
Messages
168
Or would I be better served by the .080 thickness?
If I wanted to make a leather thumb break strap to aid in the retention how would I go about doing that on a kydex sheath? I am not new to kydex but I have never dealt with Res C and I have never made a thumb break strap before. Any insight would be great.
 
most Kydex sheath makers avoid to use the .060, i would say .080 is the minimum you should use...
 
For fixed blades, you can get by with .080, but .093 is best.
 
A holster made from .060 is rigid enough that you can stand on it sideways. I'd say it's plenty strong for a knife sheath. There may not be enough molding on a knife to give it that kind of rigidity, but if I had some .060 and I needed a sheath, I'd definitely try it out.
 
The fun thing about working with thermoplastics is that each of us gets to decide and execute our own idea of what makes a quality sheath or holster, both in design and construction.
 
Just curious,but what is the benefit of the thicker material?
I like using .060 myself.(when the color doesn't matter)I made a sheath for my 1311 (& others)out of it.
I find it weights less,provides a slimmer profile,heats quicker & is plenty stiff & durable.(not to mention cheaper ;))
A sheath is just a knife holder after all & leather has worked for many,many years and is way less durable so why the preference for the thicker material.:confused:

Not trying to provoke an argument,just curious to hear from the more experienced benders.:)
 
Last edited:
mykel m said:
Just curious,but what is the benefit of the thicker material?
I like using .060 myself.(when the color doesn't matter)I made a sheath for my 1311 (& others)out of it.
I find it weights less,provides a slimmer profile,heats quicker & is plenty stiff & durable.(not to mention cheaper ;))
A sheath is just a knife holder after all & leather has worked for many,many years and is way less durable so why the preference for the thicker material.:confused:

Not trying to provoke an argument,just curious to hear from the more experienced benders.:)
Click to expand...
i have seen numerous times posts about sheaths deforming and loose retention left in a car or for other various reasons and they are 98% of the time .060
my personal experience with .060 was mid `90s when i decided to make a sheath for my Al Mar Warrior ...i used .060 and every time i would re sheath the knife it will tear apart ever so litle the kydex ...
i still have that sheath and use it for a copy i have...i am attaching a pic where the tear is visible...i would not use 060 even for the smallest knife...MHO
DSC00790.jpg
 
I think .060 is fine for some things ,I think the liner is a Spec Ops sheath is thinner than that . I only use.060 on small light knives with handle retention only but it works ok for larger stuff .I like .080 because it feels much stronger and that makes me feel better.
 
sonil said:
i have seen numerous times posts about sheaths deforming and loose retention left in a car or for other various reasons and they are 98% of the time .060
my personal experience with .060 was mid `90s when i decided to make a sheath for my Al Mar Warrior ...i used .060 and every time i would re sheath the knife it will tear apart ever so litle the kydex ...
i still have that sheath and use it for a copy i have...i am attaching a pic where the tear is visible...i would not use 060 even for the smallest knife...MHO
View attachment 369580
Click to expand...
Thanks for the pic & explanation sonil.

I'll use my .060 sheaths until they wear out,but I'll be buying .080 for now on.
 
.093 is perfect since retention is part of the sheath design. U need a thick enough kydex that would give the stiffness needed to hold the knife in place. All my kydex sheaths are. 093 and work perfectly.
 
mykel m said:
Just curious,but what is the benefit of the thicker material?
I like using .060 myself.(when the color doesn't matter)I made a sheath for my 1311 (& others)out of it.
I find it weights less,provides a slimmer profile,heats quicker & is plenty stiff & durable.(not to mention cheaper ;))
A sheath is just a knife holder after all & leather has worked for many,many years and is way less durable so why the preference for the thicker material.:confused:

Not trying to provoke an argument,just curious to hear from the more experienced benders.:)
Click to expand...


If all you are looking for is "a knife holder", then it doesn't matter what you use, or who makes it. There is a plethora of "knife holders" out there. However, if you want a sheath that performs on a higher level, or one designed and executed to maximize specific tasks (SD being one), then the field narrows, both in choice of materials and makers. Some people only want or need a "knife holder" and there is nothing wrong with that. There are others though, who are concerned with good retention combined with immediate and fast access, low profile, no rattle - no movement lock-up, enough free play around blade for a no-drag draw with no blade rubbing, no sharp edges, multiple carry options without increasing bulk, and durable enough for hard use. Ain't happening with .060 or .080, though you can get a seviceable sheath for most general purposes with .080. It all depends on your needs and your idea of what a good sheath is and will do. Many do not realize just how much performance can be built into a sheath, but it takes experience, knowledge, talent, and the proper materials.
 
Last edited:
Nice sheath. What sort of carry options/method will you be using?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top