ESEE 6 sheath options.

[TheDandyLion]

I need to get a sheath my ESEE 6, the molded plastic factory sheath seems good and well received, and paired with belt clip is still something like $30 less than the kydex offerings. I'm considering this one in terms of kydex: https://www.theknifeconnection.net/...lock-and-leather-backer-flat-dark-earth-fall/

If I wanted to add a molle backing to a molded sheath then I end up with something that's only about $5 less than the kydex, so I'm really curious if there's a benefit one way or another.

I'll be carrying the knife on my belt in the woods, and to me the sheath retention is paramount (especially on such a heavy knife). The kydex from TKC has a slider so I could adjust retention to where I want it. The molded sheath has no ability to adjust retention, and might not be very secure comparatively. I'm also not sure the standard molded plastic sheath is going to hold up over long periods of use. Kydex can always be reheated formed tighter, but once the plastic nubs on the molded sheath wear down I'm kinda SOL. This is where I would need people with experience with both types of sheathes to chime in and make note of any noticeable wear issues over time.

I've heard reports of the molded plastic being more resilient in extreme temperatures, but in my area I'm never going to get colder than 25 degrees in the winters and it rarely clears 95 in the summer. I'm not sure if that really calls for concern in terms of temperature resistance.

So here's the question, figuring that I prefer stout retention is the Kydex worth the steep price? Or will the standard plastic serve me well for half the cost? Of course the third option is the molded sheath with the molle backing, which would give me a mechanical lock (in the form of a strap) as well as the "click" of the molded plastic sheath. I would only go this rout if there was some major benefit to the molded sheath, which of course i have no experience with. If anyone who's been carrying the molded sheath overtime could comment (positive or negatives) I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you for the responses and I hope to figure this whole thing out soon.

 

[Dair]

ESEEs plastic sheaths are built pretty well, there's a couple plastic bumps on the sides that securely click the knife into place, so you don't have to worry about tightening the sheath up anyway.

I ended up getting a spec ops combat master sheath for my larger esees just cause it can flex around a little easier.

 

[Cereal_killer]

When you saw woods are we talking hiking or hunting? If you'll be using it as a hunting knife IMO the only appropriate sheath material is leather.

Now I love me my kydex, I have kydex for 95% of my fixed blades but any knives that have any chance of going on a hunting trip with me also get equipped with leather sheathes too...

 

[TheDandyLion]

When you saw woods are we talking hiking or hunting? If you'll be using it as a hunting knife IMO the only appropriate sheath material is leather.

Now I love me my kydex, I have kydex for 95% of my fixed blades but any knives that have any chance of going on a hunting trip with me also get equipped with leather sheathes too...

Why exactly would leather be better for a hunting knife? It might be taken hunting but it's certainly not going to be doing a lot of bloody work.

 

[Cereal_killer]

Well usually when I / we go out hunting the goal is to make as little noise as possible, kydex makes noise the entire draw & return movements...

 

[TheDandyLion]

Well usually when I / we go out hunting the goal is to make as little noise as possible, kydex makes noise the entire draw & return movements...

I don't typically find myself drawing my knife while stalking game, and plus it's pretty easy to mute kydex just by drawing it slowly.

Plus, if I do end up drawing the knife it will be for something like fire building or making camp. Both of which will cause more noise than a kydex sheath.