DIY Kydex Waki Sheath

MustardMan

MustardMan

Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
3,646
While I have the utmost respect for folks like David who have mastered the craft of Kydex bending, I am also spending WAY too much money on steel lately, so I decided to save some cash on the sheath side, and get into DIY sheaths. Last week, I made up three kydex sheaths - one of those being for my new Rodent Waki. The fit and finish of mine is a far cry from what the pros can do, but it's still a very functional sheath and I am happy with how it turned out. I encourage anyone with some basic skill with tools to order some kydex and at least give it a shot - it's very rewarding to make something yourself, even if it IS a little bit ugly ;)


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Hey bro that looks alright! I have been playing with kydex for almost a year, it really is fun. Just make sure you do the research on heating. If you melt it down or make it smoke the fumes become toxic.
 
Snakedoc said:
Hey bro that looks alright! I have been playing with kydex for almost a year, it really is fun. Just make sure you do the research on heating. If you melt it down or make it smoke the fumes become toxic.
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Well at least now I know what wrong with me.:o Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop huffin' Kydex.

Nice looking work Mustard, from the sounds of what your working with I'll give it a thumbs up. :thumbup:
 
It's 0.08". I sort of wish I had picked up the 0.06" - it would be a bit easier to work with, methinks.

I've still got quite a lot of the material left, so I expect to get a couple more sheaths out of it before I have to order more. Hopefully they will improve as I learn some tips and tricks - especially in the handle retention area, which has been a difficult part to figure out so far.
 
Looks good sir. I applaud your courage. Pretty soon I'm going to owe Steelnut my first born for all the kydex he's providing me. I'm considering trying to make a sheath for one of mine. What site did you use to buy your materials from?

It seems to me that the most important part, is the "press and clamp" once it comes out of the oven. What did you use to do that?
 
I made one for my waki too. It's pretty easy now that I've done several. Your kydex is thick though!
 
I got my kydex through knifekits.com. It's definitely some thick stuff, and I think I'll switch to something thinner next time. Live and learn, I guess.

I made the press for less than ten bucks. I went to walmart and bought a can of spray-on adhesive, and a foam camping mat. I cut the mat into six pieces, and cut two pieces of scrap plywood I had laying around. Three pieces of foam stacked up on each sheet of plywood, and some quick clamps, and I had me a sheath press.

I'll probably pick up some big C-clamps, as the quick clamps don't clamp quite as tight as I'd like them to, but overall it worked surprisingly well.
 
MustardMan said:
I got my kydex through knifekits.com. It's definitely some thick stuff, and I think I'll switch to something thinner next time. Live and learn, I guess.

I made the press for less than ten bucks. I went to walmart and bought a can of spray-on adhesive, and a foam camping mat. I cut the mat into six pieces, and cut two pieces of scrap plywood I had laying around. Three pieces of foam stacked up on each sheet of plywood, and some quick clamps, and I had me a sheath press.

I'll probably pick up some big C-clamps, as the quick clamps don't clamp quite as tight as I'd like them to, but overall it worked surprisingly well.
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Excellent. Kind of what I had in mind. Approx how thick was the mat, just so I know what I'm looking for at Wally Mart. Thanks for the help.
 
I'd say it's a bit less than an inch thick. Sometimes walmart will carry a sort of wavy corrugated pad - that's not the one you want. You want the plain-jane smooth foam mat. It will be around 6 bucks and will be sold rolled up. Should be right near the sleeping bags in the camping section
 
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