Custom Kydex Sheath for PFD

H

HJK

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Does anyone make a custom kydex, concealex or similar sheath that will snap onto the PFD attachments? I would rather use my blackwood talonite etc on my PFD instead or the AGerber River knife etc I've been using for the last few decades, but I can't find a sheath that attaches to the PFD. Wearing a good knife as a neck knife and/or on the belt has always been a second best solution for one attached directly to the PFD.
So?
 
Looks like we have something in common HJK.
I have been using an orginal Gerber River Master in white water for a long time too. (at least since the mid '80's). Been thinking about having a river knife made.

I think that someone who works with kydex could run several grometted holes down each side so the sheath could be lashed to some of the tabs they are now putting on PFDs. It is going to have to keep the knife more secure than most kydex sheaths I have seen, but it can be done.

I am thinking double edged talonite on this one.

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
Gus,
Bingo on the double edged talonite. Doesn't the sheath sound like something Normark could cook up?
 
Thanks Steve, I would think any of folks you suggested would do a good job. I am partial to the idea of lashing the sheath to the PFD.

Now I have a problem, I am close to the top of Rob Simonich's list and was considering a folder. I like the idea of a new river knife.
Ahh the season opens on the Occoee this weekend. Time to get the wetsuit out.
(stolen idea from HJK "fair and square"
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).
Hummm....

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
If you do get a river knife from Rob, name it after me and enjoy
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HJK, GUS,
My PFD doesn't come off, It's permanantly mounted around my waist
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I just carry my knife IWB, done deal!! Besides, if you fall in the water here in Florida you might be better off drowning
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This is GATOR season
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HJK, If you would like, give me a call and maybe I can make something up for you?? 863-701-0126

Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
Hey Neil,
Been wanting one of your knives too and this one is righ up your alley.
Incoming phone call
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Well that was fun. I was lucky to get to meet Neil last year at the Blade Show for a few minutes.

Just got off the phone with him and he had some great ideas that we are going to go utilize.

He is going to go off of his tactical design.
This is the small tactical and the 3 1/2 inch blade is just the right length for me. We are going with the holes in the G10.
<A HREF="http://blackwoodknives.com/images/stsmtacute.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
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For this application (white water rescue knife) I need a double edged blade. Neil has a nice grind on his Grifter design that I like, but I have asked him to sharpen the false edge down to the hilt more or less. The knife has one purpose and I do not want to have to worry too much about the blade postion. It needs to be able to slash (I hope not; a decent self bailer runs over 3k) a pinned raft or pierce the hull of a kayak (again I hope not; they are not cheap any more) quickly.
<A HREF="http://blackwoodknives.com/grifter1.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
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</A>

We talked about the handle and decided to mate the handle size from his medium tactical letting the G10 expose the rear of the tang at the lanyard hole to the butt. I asked him to mill some cross sectional grooves along the exposed tang. The grip on this knife has to be full and secure.
<A HREF="http://blackwoodknives.com/ragtac.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
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The knife will be exposed to long periods of being soaked so one of the cobalt alloys was a good choice. It came down to Talonite or Stellite. I choose edge retention (Stellite)over the ease of sharpening (Talonite).

The sheath will be a very secure (something Neil seems to be known for) pouch of kydex or concealex (if we are lucky) with eyeletts down each edge. So it can be lashed to the chest lash tab on my PFD.

Thanks again HJK (seriously). I have been tossing the idea around for a while now, but your post pushed me over the edge and Neil was a great choice. He listened closely to understand the application and came up with what I think will be an excellent design for it.

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 03-22-2001).]
 
WoW!
Ask Neil about the email I sent him after your last post. It's bang on[except for some serrations on one edge]! Great minds...
I think you guys have come up with a fantastic design. The only change I might suggest is to have the sheath clip on the pfd tab like the gerber sheaths and to use a seperate sheath to carry the knife around without the pfd. Lashing isn't as secure as a clip, at least for me, and lashing and unlashing a single sheath can be a pain, even though chances are you'll be carrying more than one knife. A knife this good shouldn't stay clipped on forever. Anyway, I'm glad I checked in here before I ran off for the night.
Gus, it usually takes me months between deciding I want or need a knife and buying it. Hokey Mokey you work fast!! Great job!


[This message has been edited by HJK (edited 03-22-2001).]
 
Well these ideas are melding pretty well.
Serrations at the base of this blade might be something to go with. I have to think about sharpening Stellite serrations, but they would be very usefull. Gonna have to think hard on that decision.

Your right HJK. I am going to stick with lashing, but you have given me the idea of getting Neil to make another multi position sheath or arrange the eyeletts on one side so that a loop can be added or taken off. This one might take some smooth talking. He makes good sheaths, but I know he would rather be making knives than messing with plastic
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.

Can not blame him on that at all.

I really have been thinking about one for a few years so I did not move that fast
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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
HJK,
After I read your Email, I thought you and Gus had already discussed the design between yourselves. But after talking to Gus on the phone I realized this must be PURE coincidence!!
Gus,
It was a pleasure talking to you on the phone last night, I'm looking forward to this project. The sheaths for these will be straight forward, minor modifications to the existing design......NOOOOO problem
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Once this project is finished maybe it will become another standard model for me? The Grifters little brother, the RAFTER??
I think it would make a neat little double edged "boot" style knife!
Neil

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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
 
Have you looked at the Tek Loc system blade tech uses? It comes in both small and large sizes, and would be perfect for your application. They can also make the sheath.
 
Can't say I have. Thanks, I'll check it out. This would be in addition to a new stellite river knife from Dr. Lathe
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