Finally wrapped my Potbelly

[Tilley Knife]

I've been meaning to do this for a while now. I do my own kydex only as a hobby and for cost efficiency reasons. I like the factory sheath, as it serves a purpose on a pack, but I don't like to wear it on my belt. Anyway, this one turned decent, I guess. I was in a hurry so the finish is not as refined as my usual stuff, but it should prove functional. I'm going to add the option of a dangler attachment in the near future. I always have a folding saw in the woods, so I don't typically carry a knife outside of the 4" range, but man.....I LOVE THIS KNIFE! I just thought that I would share it. I know there are several other Potbelly lovers around here.



I know it's not actually a Becker, but I like you guys better so I posted it in here.

 

[venmm73]

Man thats sweet. Good idea with the tek lok . Well done bud. :thumbup:

 

[ocnLogan]

I agree, it looks sweet man. The potbelly is one of the blades I've really loved the design of but just don't own yet.

I've also wanted to make my own kydex but just haven't gotten around to it yet. Looks like fun.

I wonder if its possible to get those brown scales separately, as I've been working on my War Sword (only stripped and patina'd one I've seen so far) for a bit and think the brown would go much better with the expected design than my current black ones.

 

[Tilley Knife]

I wonder if its possible to get those brown scales separately

I don't know if they sell them separately or not. I think I've got sombody suggesting that I put G10 on mine. If I go that route, I'll send you my brown scales. Shoot me a PM so that I don't forget.

 

[MrKnifekid]

Very nice.

I like the potbelly, that's one of the all of the ka-bars that i need to get

 

[B.Mauser]

Great job on the sheath. I'm trying to get up the nerve to buy some kydex.

 

[Tilley Knife]

Great job on the sheath. I'm trying to get up the nerve to buy some kydex.

I use two pieces of plywood hinged together and covered in sleeping pad foam as a press ($4). A hand punch and anvil for the eyelets ($8). A Dremmel and a heat gun, which I already owned, completes my kydex bending equipment. I bake it in the oven before it goes in to the press. My work is not pretty enough to sell but it works and it's mine. Don't be scared, go for it!

 

[B.Mauser]

Thanks I was wondering what to use for the press. So your softening them up in the oven, where does the heat gun come into play?

 

[rivertamer]

Hey wooly bigger.... Would it be possible to post some pics of your bending stuff..... Press and such.... Would love a tutorial..... Maybe?

 

[Bladite]

excellent sheath inspiring :>

 

[Tilley Knife]

Thanks for the kind words, fellows.

Thanks I was wondering what to use for the press. So your softening them up in the oven, where does the heat gun come into play?

I don't use the heat gun a lot. Only for small adjustments after the kydex has set. Depending on the handle material and the profile, you may need to soften a small area up and reshape it. For example, for a knife with a Res C handle, I like to slightly roll the top lip of sheath out away from the grip so it doesn't wear down the Res C when inserting the knife in to the sheath. I can't do that until the kydex has set and I have cut the profile of the sheath. An example for this Potbelly sheath is the section where the Tek-Lok attaches. Originally, the screw head from the Tek-Lok was scraping across the handle when inserting and removing the knife. I used the heat gun to heat that section up enough to cant it back and adjust the angle so the screw didn't contact the knife. Little stuff like that.

Hey wooly bigger.... Would it be possible to post some pics of your bending stuff..... Press and such.... Would love a tutorial..... Maybe?

I don't know about a tutorial. There are guys on here with a real talent for this stuff and would be better suited to do one than me. Plus, the web is full of them. It's raining so in order to avoid a wet walk to the shop for a photo, check out the press in the link. It's the same set up that I use. I take the kydex out of the oven position my knife in the kydex and then position them both on the press. I close the press; put it in a bench vise and then I put a C-clamp on the other side. 10 min later I drill and set my eyelets; then my the Dremel goes to work. http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9426

 

[venmm73]

I think I've got sombody suggesting that I put G10 on mine

Id listen to that guy , sounds like he knows what he is talking about .

 

[DeadFall27]

No, no no...that sheath is horrible; you need more practice! :thumbdn::thumbdn::thumbdn::thumbdn:




















Just kidding!
Looks better than how mine has turned out in the past. I need to get some better foam for my press; I used foam from an old sleeping mat but it is bumpy on one side so it made my sheaths come out uneven. Good work :thumbup:

 

[daizee]

Great job on the sheath. I'm trying to get up the nerve to buy some kydex.

it's $6/sheet. Do it. Get two.

Seriously, I can get sheaths for 2-6 knives from a single 12" square, depending on the size of the knives.
Practice on some small stuff. Make a little press. It's really fun.


That's some impressive kydex bending, btw. Knives of that scale are tricky.

-Daizee

 

[Tilley Knife]

Id listen to that guy , sounds like he knows what he is talking about .

Yeah, I hear ya.

 

[Tilley Knife]

it's $6/sheet. Do it. Get two.

Seriously, I can get sheaths for 2-6 knives from a single 12" square, depending on the size of the knives.
Practice on some small stuff. Make a little press. It's really fun.

Absolutely. I practiced on some inexpensive Moras when I first got started. You'll learn a little something new with each sheath that you make, so your ability should progress as you practice.

 

[venmm73]

Yeah, I hear ya.

But..... Are you listening ?? Im just messing with ya bud. I would never pressure you into super cool G-10 handles.

 

[hughewil]

I've always liked the look of the potbelly, your sheath just makes it that much better.

 

[Tilley Knife]

I've always liked the look of the potbelly, your sheath just makes it that much better.

Thanks bud. Everyone needs a Potbelly.