Does a synthetic sheath cheapen a knife?

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Apr 26, 2003
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I am not a fan of synthetic, kydex, etc., sheaths or holsters. I don't like the stiffness, the wear and scratches, etc. Knives and firearms get wear and scratches from use. I would rather that they don't get damaged from being put away. It isn't like there is a shortage of cows, sheep, and pigs. I see some great looking knives in the makers section. And then see a kydex sheath and think nope cheapness. And no I am not going to have someone make a leather sheath for me. I do not buy something new only to fix it. I am not talking about customizing a knife. Just anti cheapness. Am I the only one that feels this way?
 
I think the answer is taste, your's is different to many and will at the same time be the same as many, I have a foot in both camps. The style of sheath/holster etc for me will be dictated by the design of the blade and intended purpose I want it for. If we all saw it the same the world would be a very boring place !
 
As a fan of leather goods, especially a well-made sheath, as stated, I also think it all boils down to intended use. Kydex sheaths offer lots of mounting options with clips and straps, they also provide rigid durability and weather resistance that sometimes leather options may not. Leather degrades over time, furthermore, moisture and/or excessive dryness are not kind to it if one is working in extreme conditions. It also retains moisture, which could be problematic to the blade if stored in the sheath. But it sure is classy. Now, if a knife comes with a nylon sheath? I usually throw that stuff away and make a leather one. Lol.
 
Just because something is more expensive doesn't mean it is better. I love a well made leather sheath and they are certainly prettier, but if I'm taking a knife into the woods kydex is just better in every practical way.
 
I like both. I generally make my own out of leather for knives that come with crappy sheaths of whatever material.

That said, a good hard kydex or similar is tough to beat when it comes to a ridden hard, put away wet kind of knife.

Now Cold Steel Secure-X (or whatever it is called) is garbage. It will literally hog the edge off your knife. Othe than that, unless it is a historic knife that "belongs" in leather, I'm good with kydex.
 
I feel the same about kydex sheaths. The only time I am OK with them is when it is for a hard use knife for camping/hiking. Kydex is easier to clean and good in case it gets wet.
 
prefer leather and nylon types over kydex, but its okay.....if ya dont leave it in the truck...warps easily.
 
If properly done , I like either .

However : Kydex will not hold water / moisture and can be more easily formed to hold / retain a knife or gun without any other fasteners or straps .

Can also easily cleanup and maintain compared to leather .
 
A well-designed Kydex sheath (like the one Normark made for my F1) is great, but generally I prefer leather, preferably sealed against moisture with SnowSeal. Roselli inserts excellent plastic liners in their leather sheathes, although the leather is thin and nowhere near the quality of the knives. I used the original sheathes as patterns to make better ones out of latigo saddle leather, but kept the plastic liners.
 
in most cases, you get what you pay for.
and yes you can't help but feel that
somehow most production knife sheaths
fall secondary in terms of quality and workmanship of a factory knife. per-say.
but then again they are some models which go the whole nine yards with a
fancy sheath system that may appear far more note worthy than usual.
but i figure that is a rarity.
and when you take a step back into time, the flimsy production knife leather sheaths of yesteryear is a far cry from what's currently available today.
synthetic material choices offer better durability and robustness.
which i think matters to the ordinary knife user;
who expect years of serviice from a knife and takes for granted an equal lifespan of its paired sheath.
having count on a sheath which would not rot or wear out miserably in the elements is all that one could hope for.
the use of synthetics is an economical choice in the long run but not without certain levels of compromise in the eyes
of leather traditionalist i suppose.
much of which concerns the knife's aesthetic and issues arising from abrasion and marring by tight form fitting sheaths.
which should be promply dealt with through whatever channels available from day one.
as the saying goes, "the customer is always right".
and once a paying customer is not happy
it will soon be all over the internet :)
 
I prefer Leather, Nylon, Wood, or home made with glued, painted, and waxed cereal box cardboard sheaths for my knives.

If Kydex is what Cold Steel uses for their "Secure Ex" sheaths ... I don't want Kydex (or any other fiberglass reinforced plastic) anywhere near my knives. It dulls the blade out of, and in to, the sheath.

I've only had leather or nylon Gun holsters, so cannot comment on the Kydex pistol/revolver sheaths.
Since I only like and used a Small of Back and a verticle shoulder holster for the Gov. size 1911, and 6 inch barrel revolver I had, I've never tried Kydex.

From what I've seen, Kydex only comes with a clip, not a loop. Therefore, I will probably never use it.

I don't trust clips.

I had a leather OWB holster for my compact 1911 with a clip. Holster came off when I sat in the car. Fortunitally, it and the pistol didn't fall out of the car when I opened the door.
I had an Ontario RAT 1. It was clipped to my pocket while I was riding my bicycle a few years ago. It came out of my pocket. I didn't hear it hit the ground. Turning around and back tracking the 9 miles I'd ridden as soon as I got home and realized it was gone ... I didn't find that knife. Someone apparently found and kept it.
 
I love Kydex and leather so it just depends on the circumstances and my needs at the time. But I prefer leather for my holsters.
 
Leather. First and foremost.
Kydex comes in second.
A good quality ballistic nylon comes in third.

Anything else is not worth discussing with the exception of a few bayonet scabbards.
 
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