Eskabar updated sheath - Does anyone here have any experience with it?

H

Hiker9

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Nov 1, 2015
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I'm not sure when it started but I noticed that the Eskabar sheaths now come with plastic tab bolted on. Images can be found on Kabar's website. I can't find any info on the web but I did get a vague response from an online retailer stating that the spine of the blade is now pushed against the sheath. Does anyone have any experience with the updated sheath, and if so can you give any details about how it works and if the update effectively prevents the blade from being dulled against the sheath? Thanks.

*I originally posted this under the General Knife Discussion forum, before being informed of the Becker subforum.
 
I don't think any of the sheaths ever dulled a knife.
There was one YT vid where some idiot kept pulling his knife out while violently dragging the edge...
That'll dull a knife.

The new upgrade simply keeps the knife locked in the sheath until you physically move the plastic tab into the open position.
KA-BAR's sheaths do not dull knives.
 
At one point there was intense speculation that the reinforced nylon sheath would dull the edge upon draw but KA-BAR has since upgraded the 14 and 11 sheaths.
Now, if you purposely push and drag the edge of any knife along the inside of any sheath you most likely will get some reduction in sharpness. That's just the facts of edge retention.

Having said that, there is a YT vid by Virtuovice where he purposely dulls his (14?) using the "outside" of the sheath. He also showed other brand knives sheaths wouldn't do that to the degree the KA-BAR sheath would.
 
Tdhurl1103 said:
At one point there was intense speculation that the reinforced nylon sheath would dull the edge upon draw but KA-BAR has since upgraded the 14 and 11 sheaths.
Now, if you purposely push and drag the edge of any knife along the inside of any sheath you most likely will get some reduction in sharpness. That's just the facts of edge retention.

Having said that, there is a YT vid by Virtuovice where he purposely dulls his (14?) using the "outside" of the sheath. He also showed other brand knives sheaths wouldn't do that to the degree the KA-BAR sheath would.
Click to expand...

Lol! I stand corrected. :D
I guess I'll just put it this way. I've never had dulling issues with any of my sheaths. Old style and new style.
But then again, I don't drag my sharp edge along any sheath while drawing and resheathing.
 
Jonny1280 said:
Lol! I stand corrected. :D
I guess I'll just put it this way. I've never had dulling issues with any of my sheaths. Old style and new style.
But then again, I don't drag my sharp edge along any sheath while drawing and resheathing.
Click to expand...

I've not had issues with mine either. That's why I said "speculation" above.
I do remember the Virtuovice vid though and thought, "well, I guess I won't try to slice on the outside of the sheath then." [emoji12]

Also, I forgot to point out that the sheath he used was the older sheath.
 
From what I understand, the new sheaths don't have any glass fibre molded into them as apparently this was how they were originally constructed. The locking mechanism was added due to the breakdown of the retention nodules that occurred after numerous unsheathings (is that a word? Well it is now). Any normal person would make sure they would draw the knife by dragging the spine not the blade. Now you must understand I have accrued this information purely from things I've heard here. By far more knowledgeble people than myself. This is how I understand it to be. And yes, I do own one. It's rad..

ETA: There was much speculation (great word Tom) about the construction of the BK2 sheath for a long time as well. Again, from what I understand this 'glass fibre' issue was corrected/solved/nullified by KABAR quite some time ago (2011?) due to claimed dulling of the blade. This is why I love this company. They listen to US (no, not the U.S., us, as in me, you and all the other jock straps. Yep. You're all jock straps). My beverage has depleted. Time to replete..
 
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Yup. You are correct BK.

[video=youtube;lmVNyKFiuQw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmVNyKFiuQw[/video]

Added this link for full disclosure.
 
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Thanks for the replies, and I saw the linked video as well. I guess the update is so new that very few people of used them. So aside from the added tab, is it agreed that the Eskabar's sheath is no longer made of Glass filled nylon or other hard/dulling materials?
 
To my knowledge that is correct. I have 4 of them purchased within the past year. On was used but I've had no issues. I only use the factory sheath with 2 of them and one of those is serrated.
 
Hiker9 said:
Thanks for the replies, and I saw the linked video as well. I guess the update is so new that very few people of used them. So aside from the added tab, is it agreed that the Eskabar's sheath is no longer made of Glass filled nylon or other hard/dulling materials?
Click to expand...

Correct, the newer sheaths are made without the fiberglass in the material, thus eliminating the element that was dulling the knives. This necessitated the addition of a locking mechanism to keep it in place as over time retention would lessen, and the lock gives it a good bit of security.
 
I absolutely believe the non-lock sheaths are responsible for dulling, even if it is just from the knife being jostled around at the bottom of my bag. I don't always extract my 24, but when I do, it's duller than when I last sharpened it. XX-guy
 
The retention mechanism works by pinching the sheath closed so that it grips more tightly. It works well, but I found it too thick for neck carry.
I used the factory sheath for about a month with the locking mechanism removed, inverted around my neck, before the retention nub wore down and the knife started working its way loose. I ended up using a hair bungee to hold the knife in.... it works well, but it takes longer to draw the knife. I see kydex in my future.
I've never had any dulling problems with the new sheath.
 
all in how you draw your knife ;)

most of y'all probably wrap your finger around the sheath, then yank

mmm, yeah, no :D

with some sheaths, eventually when they fail, esp because over time YOU are pressuring the edge into the sheath, will get sliced fingers

if you're lucky, you won't slice tendons

this has been a warning for ages on the HI forum with their khukris. as in "never do this"... they have pictures.

use a clam shell grip! draw against the spine. smooth.

unless your sheath is so constructred that the edge can never contact you on the way out.

but that's just my opinion.
 
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