Fiddlebacks and Kydex

solid4ever

solid4ever

Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
852
Let's see some kydex for those fiddles!

Camp knife. Perfect carry for this beast. dangler attachment with leg strap.

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Here's one for the matching karda. I did a leather wrap for it so I can carry it low crossdraw. Perfect combo. The kydex has a great lock up so i can keep most of the handle exposed. Added a little loop for an exotac.

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Lastly, here's the combo set up from our own Rick Lowe. I love this thing. I've got a custom kydex drop in for every one of my 4" knives. With all the different carry attachments from Rick, coupled with the kydex liner, you can really carry confidently in any arrangement. GREAT lock up for horizontal carry.

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My only kydex is for this karda and I absolutely love it. Perfect for dropping in your pocket...it just disappears and never slips off. I would like to get one for my recluse so it can take up less room in a small pack.

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Hey solid. Who did the other kydex work that is pictured (aside from Rick)?
 
I also have the RLO leather/Kydex inserts for about 7, 3" and 4" Fiddlebacks, so I won't show it again here. I do own a bunch of fixed blade knives in various lengths that have Kydex pants, including one of my EDC neck knives. However, in the way that I look at Fiddlebacks, it is a leather only pair of pants for my liking. I am not sure why I have this bias when it comes to Fiddlebacks, but I can say that it is not due to scratching. I think that for me, Fiddlebacks have an innate beauty that is only complimented by the innate beauty of a fine crafted leather sheath. I love Kydex for certain applications, and clearly it is my go to material for all tactical applications, but for me a Fiddleback must reside in leather. Even if the application might turn tactical. I guess this is mainly because I am an old man, but that is the way I feel.
 
I have a BRKT Bravo necker that I edc often and the kydex sheath is perfect for pocket carry. Like stated above, it drs into yourocket and takes up little room. However, I'm really disappointed how it had scratched the mess out of the blade! I don't know if that is a characteristic of kydex or just this one sheath. But it has made me want to keep my FBs in lesther.

How do you guys get around it?
 
I'm obviously a fan of leather and leather products. I also like wood stocks on my rifles, but have one with synthetic stock. Guess my thought is that there is a place for different products. Kydex certainly has a place in the sheath world, and in specific applications serves better than leather. The leather/kydex combo bridges the two products together pretty well. I have one myself and use it quite often. I also have straight kydex for other uses, but I'm with Walt on the Fiddlebacks, they just seem to fit in leather better.

The blade scratching is sure a big negative for kydex. In making kydex sheaths, I found that the dust from cutting, sanding, etc. is responsible for most of the damage. The blade won't get marred during the actual forming and first time removal, but after profiling the form and working the shape, inserting the blade sure will leave marks. I've washed/rinsed repeatedly then blown out with air and still had small scratches show up. The super form fit of kydex means that any dirt/dust will contact the blade and leave damage. I use a fine Scotchbrite belt to remove them on my own knives, but sure hate to mess with a custom finish on someone else's knife. If anybody has a good solution, I'm sure listening.
 
McVeyMac said:
Fiddlebacks have an innate beauty that is only complimented by the innate beauty of a fine crafted leather sheath.
Click to expand...

That's it right there for me. It's the organic feel & look of Andy's knives when you combine the blade spalting, wood handles, and pins w/beauty mark. I'll make a kydex sheath for myself/local friends every now and then, but the application is always tactical .. and usually so is the knife.
 
There is a gun holster maker that lines kydex with leather. Might that work for knife sheaths?
 
winger51 said:
There is a gun holster maker that lines kydex with leather. Might that work for knife sheaths?
Click to expand...

Probably? but I think you'd be trading off some of the benefits of the kydex. I don't think the lock up would be quite as good. Iv'e seen a few with a soft, thin felt lining in them now. That might also be worth looking in to


I've seen a few other knives in the same vein as Rick's combo sheath. some are fully leather with just a kydex retention clip near the choil. A nice idea.

I think there's benefits on both sides...but I'm just REALLY trending towards kydex lately. It's bomb-proof. I like that I can store the knife in the sheath indefinitely...a real plus with 01. I like how it offers substantially more carry options than leather (I won't do Scout carry unless it's kydex). I like that (if made correctly) it holds the knife edge free. My knives stay sharper in kydex than in leather. It's almost impervious to the elements and withstands far more abuse. it also is a snap to clean.

There's something intensely satisfying about that 'Clack' when you snap it in too. It's nice to get that audible and physical response from your sheath.
 
Wow you 'bout sold me! It's the scratches that keep me at may with kydex. What say you of this fine salesman?
 
KephaC said:
Wow you 'bout sold me! It's the scratches that keep me at may with kydex. What say you of this fine salesman?
Click to expand...

He is absolutely correct. I just cannot appreciate all of those attributes enough to change my thinking when it comes to my Fiddlebacks. I have other fixed blade knives in 3V and various stainless options residing in Kydex, and these systems are exceptional, but my Fiddlebacks must wear leather, or wear nothing at all.
 
KephaC said:
Wow you 'bout sold me! It's the scratches that keep me at may with kydex. What say you of this fine salesman?
Click to expand...

I've never had a problem with scratches on either Rick Lowe, Godspeed, or Mashedcat. I have had some problems with others. A good maker knows how to avoid those problems. The worst experience I've ever had was my self actually. I tried to modify a rick lowe liner for a slightly larger version of the same knife (thicker handle and steel). I scratched the HELL out of it after. learned my lesson.
 
I'm a leather guy myself, but I do like what you had made up there for the Camp. I have a Mashed Cat machete sheath and he does great work.
 
I sometimes carry my "beater" S35VN Bushfinger in home made Kydex (will try to improve it a bit later) since leather dries slowly and it is easier to rinse of seawater with kydex...
 
solid4ever said:
Probably? but I think you'd be trading off some of the benefits of the kydex. I don't think the lock up would be quite as good. Iv'e seen a few with a soft, thin felt lining in them now. That might also be worth looking in to

I've seen a few other knives in the same vein as Rick's combo sheath. some are fully leather with just a kydex retention clip near the choil. A nice idea.

I think there's benefits on both sides...but I'm just REALLY trending towards kydex lately. It's bomb-proof. I like that I can store the knife in the sheath indefinitely...a real plus with 01. I like how it offers substantially more carry options than leather (I won't do Scout carry unless it's kydex). I like that (if made correctly) it holds the knife edge free. My knives stay sharper in kydex than in leather. It's almost impervious to the elements and withstands far more abuse. it also is a snap to clean.

There's something intensely satisfying about that 'Clack' when you snap it in too. It's nice to get that audible and physical response from your sheath.
Click to expand...

:thumbup: and +1 on all of the above. I would like to know more about the kydex retention clip idea however.

Another :thumbup: for Eric at Mashed Cat. Not sure of his techniques but his sheaths don't rattle or scratch and still feature very secure handle retention (as opposed to blade retention).
 
There's a few beauties out there:

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Here's a pic of my first camp knife. It was a full height grind, 5/32nd and I wanted to trade up to a 3/16th. The leather wrap allowed you to carry it in any orientation on your belt

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Interesting clip there S4E, thanks for sharing.

Home for my 12"er, sorry for the crappy phone pics:


 
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