Esee 3 sheath retention is ridiculous.

W

WK ONE

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Apr 25, 2015
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I have the molded sheath that comes with the Esee 3. It takes a LOT of force to get the knife out of the sheath, definitely more than a contolled draw should require. I tried whittling down the nubs on either side of the inside to almost flat, and it has barely even made a difference. Help!
 
It isn't that tight. Might I suggest you get a hand strengthening ball or grip master, they will help to strengthen your hands and make it easier. Use your thumb to push against the sheath to remove it. It makes it easier and more controlled. Retention is a good thing and many people including myself would rather too much retention then too little. It stops you from loosing your knife and keeps it from coming out when you don't want it to. It also allows for all carry methods including inverted carry. It will brake in a bit over time but, if you want a certain level of retention you can have a custom sheath maker make you one at whatever retention level you desire. You can even have them put an adjustable tension screw on it. A sheath with a strap and button for retention is another option.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
 
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You need to push with your thumb against the sheath while drawing if you are not doing that, as said above.
 
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My ESEE 4 had instructions that you adjust the tightness of one of the screws to change the fit of the sheath. I don't have the instruction any more, but I thought it was the screw at the top, where the folded edges of the sheath meet.
 
Thanks for the snarky comments, I wouldn't expect anything less from this place.
I know about pushing with the thumb, and my hands are plenty strong enough.

The sheath doesn't have an adjustor crew like the Junglas's sheath does. I didnt know the 4 sheath came with it, it's a great feature.
 
Yup what stupid ass replies. Get stronger hands?...how dumb is that. Not all sheath are made equal even if they are the same model. Just because yours may be easy doesnt mean his is. My bk2 sheath was a bitch. I almost couldnt get the knife out. The only thing I could come up with was to leave the knife half in to seperate the tightest spot for a few days. Still tight, but much more manageable now and easy to remove with one hand.
 
WK ONE said:
Thanks for the snarky comments, I wouldn't expect anything less from this place.
I know about pushing with the thumb, and my hands are plenty strong enough.

The sheath doesn't have an adjustor crew like the Junglas's sheath does. I didnt know the 4 sheath came with it, it's a great feature.
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Then why ask the question here? Seriously, it might take some break in. I've never had this problem with all the Esee molded plastic sheaths I've owned. You might have got a lemon. It happens. Contacting the company is what you should do first.
 
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Try putting two small washers in between the sheath and the clip plate on the posts that the screws screw into-(I forgot what they're called)
Sometimes the clip plate will put too much pressure on the sheath and that'll make it a pain to remove the knife.
 
WK ONE said:
Thanks for the snarky comments, I wouldn't expect anything less from this place.
I know about pushing with the thumb, and my hands are plenty strong enough.

The sheath doesn't have an adjustor crew like the Junglas's sheath does. I didnt know the 4 sheath came with it, it's a great feature.
Click to expand...

My comment wasnt meant to be snarky, it was meant to be helpful. It is easy to misinterpret text man. I have no idea whether you know to use your thumb or not and have no idea how strong your hands are because you didnt say either in your OP. I gave you a number of different options to help with your problem. I could have not tried to help you at all:rolleyes:.

The 4 sheath doesnt have an adjuster screw like the Junglas. It is the same as the 3.

I have had no problems with the retention on any of my Esee's and I have had several. But, I do like firm retention for the reasons I listed in my OP. Maybe the Esee molded sheaths just arent for you. You could always try a custom Kydex/Boltron or leather one like I suggested.
 
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My guess is that there is some curve happening in the sheath to give it that much traction. Is it tight for the full draw, or just the start? its possible something is wrong with yours, ESEE should sort it out though. Mine is only tight until the guard nub is free, then its totally free from the sheath.
 
Standard78 said:
Try putting two small washers in between the sheath and the clip plate on the posts that the screws screw into-(I forgot what they're called)
Sometimes the clip plate will put too much pressure on the sheath and that'll make it a pain to remove the knife.
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This. I had to do the same with the sheath on my gso 4.1.
 
gadgetgeek said:
My guess is that there is some curve happening in the sheath to give it that much traction. Is it tight for the full draw, or just the start? its possible something is wrong with yours, ESEE should sort it out though. Mine is only tight until the guard nub is free, then its totally free from the sheath.
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It's tight for just the start of the draw. I'll probably try leaving the knife half-in at the tight spot to loosen it up, and then if that doesnt work, I'll try the washers on the clip plate.

Thanks to all who gave good suggestions!
 
WK ONE said:
It's tight for just the start of the draw. I'll probably try leaving the knife half-in at the tight spot to loosen it up, and then if that doesnt work, I'll try the washers on the clip plate.

Thanks to all who gave good suggestions!
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Take the clip plate off. If it is the clip plate, the problem should go away. There shouldn't be in difficulty in or out after or before the the nub as been defeated. If it is not the nub then there might be problem with the sheath. At that point, contact Esee.
 
Sorry, I should've clarified: I don't have a clip plate on the sheath, I have the molle back, which is screwed down well below the opening so I don;t think that's the issue.
 
Loosen up the screws and see if that helps.
Does your 3 have the original handle scales on it? If it has after market handles or liners, that may be the issue.
If the knife is used, look down the spine to see if it's straight or check to see if the sheath is warped.
 
WK ONE said:
Sorry, I should've clarified: I don't have a clip plate on the sheath, I have the molle back, which is screwed down well below the opening so I don;t think that's the issue.
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The screws wont make any difference where you put them because all the holes are riveted.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
 
WK ONE, try easing up on the screws, I had a leather backer on a six and the knife was hard to go in or out of the sheath and that corrected it. Your not pinching the blade by the screw pressure due to the hollow rivets, but your putting the sheath in a bind due to the multiple fasteners you are attaching with.
 
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Tachead7075 said:
My comment wasnt meant to be snarky, it was meant to be helpful. It is easy to misinterpret text man. I have no idea whether you know to use your thumb or not and have no idea how strong your hands are because you didnt say either in your OP. I gave you a number of different options to help with your problem. I could have not tried to help you at all:rolleyes:.

The 4 sheath doesnt have an adjuster screw like the Junglas. It is the same as the 3.

I have had no problems with the retention on any of my Esee's and I have had several. But, I do like firm retention for the reasons I listed in my OP. Maybe the Esee molded sheaths just arent for you. You could always try a custom Kydex/Boltron or leather one like I suggested.
Click to expand...

The original 4 sheath was kydex and had the adjuster screw.
 
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