DIY kydex/leather tutorial - the noob way

Phydeaux said:
I like your technique of the two stage forming of the Kydex. Definitely something I'll have to try.

Have you thought about using a toaster oven to heat the Kydex? I got a garage sale special that I use.

Ric
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Thanks. I thought about using an oven but since I had never pressed kydex before, I felt that holding it while heating would give me a better feel for how the material behaves when hot. For a first timer, I wasn't confident that I could heat it to the proper temp the first couple tries in an oven. Having done it a few times now, the oven would definitely be an asset.

Oh and to give some credit where do, I got that 2 stage idea from Murray Carter's website.
 
Dude - Seriously - if this is the NEWB way - I would hate to see what guys like Kiah and other awesome Kydex and leather guys do! This turned out awesome!

I think I am going to take this on now!

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
Dude - Seriously - if this is the NEWB way - I would hate to see what guys like Kiah and other awesome Kydex and leather guys do! This turned out awesome!

I think I am going to take this on now!

TF
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Thanks! The very first sheath I made, I just kind of winged it. It turned out so so. I then took that sheath and analyzed what I didn't like about it. Then I started pencil sketching ideas and finally formulated a step by step plan. The first sheath I made using my new design and plan was the big ESEE 6 one in the picture. The next 5 I made were all for the ESEE 3 and they all turned out excellent. The one featured in this tutorial was my first attempt for the ESEE 3.

I guess my point is that if you follow this simple plan, continually refer to your design sketch and have some patience, you can have an excellent result on your very first attempt.

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Thanks for your time you put forth to get this Tutorial done. Great work too. Been wanting to do this for a while. Thanx for the confidence builder.
 
Great work on this, thank you! I scavenged some nice looking leather from an old small camera bag with a mangled zipper, now I'm thinking I should incorporate it into the kydex sheath I want to make for the bushcraft knife I'm making a handle for! I think at least one of the pieces is big enough. Love the line about leather being better at telling stories.
 
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