Fixed blade carry: Leather or Kydex?

Deinos

Deinos

Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
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Question is in the title. For those of you rocking a fixed blade, do you prefer a leather or kydex sheath? Feel free to add your reasoning, environment you tend to carry in (edc, camping, hiking, etc.), what you like and don't like about each, etc.

Edit: Damn, looks like there is no option for me to make a poll. Assuming it is because I am a freebie member?
 
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I think it depends on the knife itself g10 handle super steel of the month could go either way but a Randall or scagel Bowie would just look wrong aesthetically


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Like kydex because you have better options for carrying horizontal, Vertical, they usually use tek lok which your able to move around sheaths depending on spacing of holes and amount of holes

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I like kydex because of the solid snap it gives off when it closes. That said, I find that leather sheaths work better in colder environments because the kydex retention can become too tight due to the cold.
 
I think this knife is stunning but the sheath while functional I'm sure, detracts from the beauty

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I'm an old guy, so I love fine leather, be it jackets, belts, holsters or knife sheaths. I have both leather & kydex sheaths for some of my fixed blades, but seem to use the kydex ones more. With all the different attachment options, kydex sheaths can usually be carried left/right carry, horozintal, or diagonal. To get that versatility from leather you'd need a couple leather sheaths for each knife. Given the choice, I still prefer leather.
 
Generally I like leather, but I use both. I prefer simple leather sheaths. I have purchased knife with extremely bulky, heavy, complex leather sheaths and have discarded it for a simple lightweight kydex one.

I waterproof my leather sheaths with sno-seal, inside & out.

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I much prefer leather. I just like the supple feel and snug fit with a snap by the handle. A more elegant look IMO.
 
I prefer leather but use kydex when I feel it's going to get wet or roughed around a lot. Example, I use leather or stock sheath for my bk16 when camping, but when I'm going to be hunting and may be caught in the rain etc, I use a kydex one. These next couple weeks I'll be using my Fallkniven F1 for some infantry training, I will be bringing the zytel sheath because I plan on being sweat soaked, possibly rained on, and do a whole lot of prone and roughing around. I will use the leather sheath for camping and hiking.

Basically I prefer leather because it looks nicer and I feel it's kinder on the knife, but when wet or rugged...plastic all the way. I usually have both purchased for any knife I plan on keeping around.
 
As much as I love leather, I generally use nylon sheaths for their ease of cleaning. I'm a hunter. I do prefer Kydex for carrying my neck knives.

Joe
 
As the two folks above, I prefer leather but use Kyxed because of versatility, ease of carry and overall the practical advantages it offers

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I like the feel and looks of leather

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and wood scabbards

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and hate cordura/nylon

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I love how leather looks, and have multiple knives with leather sheathes. However, you can't beat a good kydex rig for the versatility I prefer. I like 'em both, I just tend to use kydex more.
 
I'm old school and will choose natural materials over plastics most of the time. I also find leather to be more comfortable for long term wear in both sheaths and holsters.
 
Frisky said:
As much as I love leather, I generally use nylon sheaths for their ease of cleaning. I'm a hunter. I do prefer Kydex for carrying my neck knives.

Joe
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Yes , I also like nylon. The ballistic nylon sheath that came with my SXB is superb.
 
I loathe kydex. I hate the look and feel of it, so I only buy leather sheaths and holsters.
 
I like leather but it can be hard to get a good leather sheath that fits the knife well. They tend to either be too tight or too loose. With Kydex you can get a good fit for retention but it doesn't present a big obstacle to the draw. And I prefer a kydex snap fit to a leather sheath with straps and snaps.

Another thing I notice is that a good kydex sheath is usually thinner than a good leather sheath, but on the other hand some people tend to make their kydex sheaths into large pancakes that stick out a long way past the limits of the knife. I'm going to try making some kydex and my first attempts will be "taco" style so they are more compact.

Now for a really nice knife that is more safe queen than user, go for leather.
 
I prefer leather. Maybe I'm just a little old and all this new fangled kydex is not for me. :rolleyes:

I have always liked leather, but have tried kydex in both sheaths and holsters. Never found it to give me any advantage and I don't like the snap sound & feel when using it. Most of what I have tried has also been less comfortable to me. Maybe I'm not trying the right ones, who knows.
 
It really depends on the knife. My neck knife is in a kydex sheath, as it is close to my body, and kydex is better protection.I have a Mike Snody, and I got a leather sheath for it. I have a knife that I keep in the car, it is in a kydex sheath. Like I said, it all depnds on the knife.
 
I tend to prefer leather for most carries, especially if it's going on my belt. Leather is just nicer, IMO. I have some great Kydex as well, mainly for my bigger choppers that live on my Ruck. On my kit, I keep a spec ops with Kydex liner.

Guess I mean that Kydex is more utilitarian, and leather is both utilitarian and more pleasant to carry, IMO
 
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