first attemp at Kydex sheath

B

Billbo66

Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
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I have a Kydex kit on the way to try my hand at this. I figure it will at least be a fun project, even if it turns out lousy. I will have all the materials (Kydex, rivets, screws, etc) to make the sheath- just no fancy clamping device.

My plan is to heat the material in a retired toaster oven to around 350 for a few minutes, then try the folded method, sandwiched between two pieces of camp-pad closed cell foam, backed by some plywood and clamped down hard. Then I will sand the edges to a desirable profile. Does this sound reasonable for a tool challanged first attempt? The blade length will be 4".

Can anyone give a newbie with limited experience, but loads of uncommon sense a few tips? How can I protect the knife? Do I need a layer of something between the knife and the hot Kydex? Thanks
 
350 for a few minutes will destroy thin Kydex and not bode well for thick. Watch it closely. .060 only needs a few seconds at 350 for example (at least in my $20 Wal-Mart Special).

Use a couple layers of painter's tape on each side of the blade to get a good fit.

Otherwise, sounds good.:thumbup:
 
I just not long ago did my first. The same way you are going to do it. I put blue painters tape on the knife. I also made a holster for a Kel Tec pf9 and covered it with tape also. I don't know if you need it but it didn't hurt.

Todd
 
I have used the blue camping foam to form kydex sheaths - it works but breaks down faster (doesn't bounch back 100% after being clamped) than the pvc foam that you can buy for doing kydex sheaths. I didn't use anything between the blade and kydex.

My toaster oven made kydex crispy at 350F, now I use it at 300F - keep checking it and take it out when its flimsy. After you take it out of the oven you have to get the knife sandwiched into it and pressed fast, otherwise the kydex starts to stiffen and you won't get a tight press. Good luck, have fun, if your first try doesn't turn out - just heat it up and press it again!

Oh yea, mirror polished blades and kydex don't get along......
 
I use a toaster oven set at around 300. Pop the kydex in and watch it. Usually, when it's ready, the corner will just start to lift up off of the rack. From that point, it only takes a few extra seconds to ruin it. Watch it closely. Once it's really floppy, go to work. Wear some thin cotton gloves so you can handle it safely and securely.

I think I posted some pics up in this WIP post I did a while back. Look towards the end of the posts.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=573498&highlight=groomsmen+knives

--nathan
 
I heated it with a heat gun, used silicone rubber foam that I had, backed by metal plates and sat on it ! Worked fine. If you then want to make small changes the heat gun will do that too.
 
I use folded up bath towels and a thick book and stand on it. Seems to work better for me than the camp pads did. Haven't tried the proper foam though.
 
I like those Harbor Freight grey floor mats and my forging press. I have broken a couple handles in half though. 20 tons is too much.
 
Here's a diagram of my kydex press looking at it from the side. I had all of the materials at my house other than the camping foam. Hope this helps.
Kydexpress.jpg
 
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