Different sheath materials?

[g23.40sw]

This has probably been asked, but here goes. Why are some of the blades shipped with Kydex and some shipped with injection molded? I know everyone has a preference and or a favorite material, but what is the thought process behind this? If it has been asked please post the link.
Thanks

 

[MikePerrin]

Well there is no one shot simple answer. To start anything injection molded has a much higher front end cost. The molds are really expensive for that process. Kydex has a much lower front end cost becuase the molds used are simpler and not nearly as precise. To add to that if the sheath is huge like the Junglas sheath is then injection molding becomes prohibitive in cost.

It also requires less expensive equipment and less equipment period to produce kydex than injection molding. There are a lot of small kydex operations that literally operate out of their basement or garage. The equipment for injection molding is bigger, temperature sensitive and more technical to operate. Bottom line here is you can usually find a lot more Kydex makers and get parts a little quicker sometimes.

Injection molding does hold two distinct advantages over Kydex. One, Kydex fails at extreme temperatures. In extreme cold Kydex will shatter and injection molded poly will not. This is why the military usually favors injection molded poly over Kydex. Two, injection molded products can be made to conform much closer to the knife. Like within a few thousanths. The curves and corners will all be much tighter and cleaner with molded products. You can add fine detail to the mold like logos and such that are almost impossible to do in Kydex. Lock ups are usually better and more secure in molded vs Kydex.

Now after all that and after cost considerations it boils down to subjective judgement on our part. For some knives we have a customer base that really wants Kydex or maybe they want injection molded. And since we have started using a variable tension for the Kydex lock up then those sheaths have become a lot more attractive. SO here is an example. For the new Junglas sheath we looked at the front end cost which for that large knife would have been very high for the molded version. Then a lot of folks liked the idea of a large Kydex sheath with lots of grommet holes down both sides and we engineered a cordura top that bolts to the Kydex with MOLLE strapping, belt loop and jump flap. Now the customer has a killer sheath with many carry options at roughly half what it would have cost for an injection molded version. It boils down to giving the customer the biggest bang for their buck. They get the best sheath for the lowest cost we can engineer. oh yeah and a pretty good knife. Mike

 

[adaman04]

100% win. I don't think you could get a better response than that.

We should make a FAQ thread with a link to this, the 3 vs 3MIL thread, sharpening angles, etc.

 

[g23.40sw]

Mike,

Thanks for the quick and very informative response. I have had some experience with both as I have a few of your as you put it "a pretty good knife"(s). I was just wondering why you chose the way you all did. I don't mean to question the knife gods, and you make a superb series of knives, with a great price point and customer service that is second to none.