Does anyone else prefer Kydex? Why leather, nylon, or...?

[Reswob]

Same as a holster, kydex if functionality is your top priority, leather if you're more concerned about appearances.

Kydex is much less bulky than leather, has better retention, doesn't retain water, and even usually costs less.

 

[RX-79G]

Same as a holster, kydex if functionality is your top priority, leather if you're more concerned about appearances.

Kydex is much less bulky than leather, has better retention, doesn't retain water, and even usually costs less.

You are aware of a kydex sheath that is slimmer or thinner than this:

 

[craytab]

You are aware of a kydex sheath that is slimmer or thinner than this:

I understand what you are saying. I really do. I dislike kydex sheathes that have such a huge footprint. It rely is a trade off though. What you are trying to do with the sheath is a big factor. Far too many kydex sheaths have way too much material around the edges. I have never made a kydex sheath but it seems to me many makers have a hard time making a kydex sheath without lots of extra stuff outside of the rivets. My question is, can I have both with kydex? Small profile with all the benefits of kydex? I have a couple sheaths I have moded that provide this. Example of my Seal Pup Elite PE:

 

[DanH45]

Kydex if you like import 9mm plastic fantastics, leather for American .45 types.

 

[Kwon Kwang]

I prefer polymer sheaths simply because they're more practical and long lasting.

 

[Reswob]

You are aware of a kydex sheath that is slimmer or thinner than this:

A typical sheet of kydex is 0.060-0.090" thick. How thick is that leather?

 

[RX-79G]

I am also a fan of kydex, and it can be done very slim with good planning. This is a multi-layer holster I designed that has a built in belt loop and minimal eyelets.

But the typical kydex holster and sheath is shaped like a shovel and has thick belt fasteners.


This is a one piece sheath I made 10 years ago.

 

[RX-79G]

A typical sheet of kydex is 0.060-0.090" thick. How thick is that leather?

About .09" or so. The bottom section has a wood or plastic liner, but the portion up around the handle that holds the knife under tension is just a thin layer.

The typical Ka-Bar style Bowie sheath is maybe 1/8" thick, but you don't need a ton of thick leather if you use rivets, liner or steel reinforcements, like on the bottom of the old US aviation survival knife.


But the thickness of the material is secondary to its rigidity and belt loop hardware. Kydex typically uses thick hardware.

 

[Basp2005]

Leather goes better with certain types of knifes, nylon generally sucks. I like kydex because it's durable and I can roll my own.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Leather has always been my number one choice. It has the "feel" and the "smell" and the warmth that you just can't get from some synthetic material.

 

[RX-79G]

In the '80s I had a plastic handled Lifeknife. The camouflage sheath in this photo was just as pleasant to use as a similar leather sheath. This was likely due to the fact that is was made of actual Cordura with internal stiffeners and heavy nylon webbing.

Many of the "nylon" sheaths today are actually polyester with too-flexible webbing and inappropriate use of Fastec buckles and velcro. No wonder everyone hates them. Plus, why do we need MOLLE connectors???


Quality nylon sheaths are definitely possible, but I don't know who makes them anymore.

 

[harronek]

Fixed blade - Kydex
Folder - Leather

Ken

 

[KingMC]

I have a custom kydex for one knife, and a nice leather for another one. I use both, I like both.

If you take leather and kydex and build them to the same exact specs (waterproof, solid retention, no dulling of blade, same method of carry, etc.) then the only difference is aesthetics and noise; leather is natural and quiet, kydex is polymer and noisy. Kydex fits more with a modern get-up, leather fits with more of a traditional get-up. Whichever is your style, that's probably what you're going to go for.

I like quiet unsheathing, so leather is growing on me. I love my custom kydex too, only makes noise upon removing the blade, it rides rock solid when in the sheath.

 

[Charlie Mike]

I prefer to carry tip up so kydex.

 

[22-rimfire]

Assuming that they are well made and given a choice of kydex or leather for most fixed blades, I will usually choose the leather. That happened a while back with a custom/handmade knife I purchased. I chose leather.

The "nylon" sheaths such as provided with Beckers are okay. I would actually prefer them to be made of nylon, but I like the functionality.

I don't generally care for the molle attachment approach. To me it just seems like a cheap way for the manufacturer to provide a sheath (example ESEE) with a knife.

Years ago when I purchased the SOG Seal Pup Elite (plain edge) with the kydex sheath (like the one pictured above in Craytab's post #23), I was not pleased although it functioned perfectly. SOG sent me a leather one. When I carry that knife, I switch between the two sheaths depending on my preference that day. My fall back is always leather, but kydex is growing on me.

 

[AntCaps]

I love me some kydex, easy to clean easy to adjust if it loosens up easy to costomize thinnest possible cross section. I like a good leather sheath when it matches the knife but the functionality of kydex is hard to beat.

 

[Lycosa]

I prefer Kydex. C4 makes a lined Kydex sheath that can be taken apart. It's one of the best sheaths on the market.
rolf

 

[Czechmate]

My answer in the form of the knives I have set up for carry right now:

( I know, the BK2 & Spydie RockSalt sheathes are plastic LOL a)


I enjoy leather but kydex is becoming addictive for me; I made the sheath for my TGLB and this custom axe below. Even with the adapter plate (allows for use with a drop leg loop or tek-lok) on the TG sheath it's only as wide as the sheath for the Scrapyard Son of Dogfather... Neither sheath touches the edge and the retention on the TG sheath is actually too strong LOL. No fear of ever dropping the knife out of the sheath. :thumbup::foot:

 

[craytab]

So leather then?

My answer in the form of the knives I have set up for carry right now:

( I know, the BK2 & Spydie RockSalt sheathes are plastic LOL a)


I enjoy leather but kydex is becoming addictive for me; I made the sheath for my TGLB and this custom axe below. Even with the adapter plate (allows for use with a drop leg loop or tek-lok) on the TG sheath it's only as wide as the sheath for the Scrapyard Son of Dogfather... Neither sheath touches the edge and the retention on the TG sheath is actually too strong LOL. No fear of ever dropping the knife out of the sheath. :thumbup::foot:

 

[Czechmate]

So leather then?

That's funny right there.

I have plenty with leather too; definitely neat from the traditional aspects of it. I don't carry and use as many of the knives I have that leather because I don't wan't to scratch it up.

Weird logic; I know. Kydex = use it without worry IMHO even though I know leather is durable... :foot:


Leather has a lot more "soul" to it if that makes sense; differences in grain, and texture, tooling.

Armorall Leather drop leg, vertical or scout carry for my RMD.

Variety is a good thing for sheaths IMHO; carrying and using knives with different sheaths is even better. :thumbup:

Still need to crank out a nice kydex sheath for this bowie LOL, the companion knife is already taken care of... :foot: