Gangsta Wrap :D

Z

zignal_zero

Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
1,768
wow, it's amazing how a person's tastes can evolve. i used to be the most outspoken about paracord handles. i thought it looked like someoen gave up halfway through making a knife and decided not to make a handle. another thing i've always made fun of is - Desert Camo. i figured it was ony usesd by two groups of people: soldiers serving in the middle east AND goofballs wishing they were.

NOW.... my ESEE 5 has it's tang wrapped in Desert Camo paracord (Strider Knot). ii can't believe it, it's a whole new knife. i doubt it wold feel this good, in the hand, if it was thinner. however, the 1/4" thickness is just right for a wrapped handle. the knife doesn't feel as blocky as it used to and looks like a million bux.

now i just have to build a sheath for it :)

i'll try to get some pix up, after the sheath is finished.
 
I'd love to see pics; I'm a paracord crazy person and love wrapping just about everything I can get my hands on in paracord LOL
 
I would like to "3rd" the opinion to post pics now, not later.

I have been thinking of making my own scales for a 5 with the "blue jean method", so this might be a better option....PICS?!?!
 
i started a sheath, last night, but i had a lot of things on my mind, was in a mad rush and (as a result) it came out poopy :(

i'll get the pix up, but the sheath takes priority because this is my EDC and now i can't carry it. it's driving me nuts :(

i have to run to walmart and i'm looking through the drawer trying to figure out what i'm supposed to carry now that my "go to" knife no longer fits in its sheath. it's almost enough to make me put the scales back on LOL.

i'm pretty good at making sheath, but totally suck at posting pix. the last time i posted one, it was HUGE. i'll give it a go, after i get back from WM. well.... looks like my old Nimravus is gettin dusted off :D
 
No pics?!?!!?!? Desert Camo Paracord wrapped ESEE-5 with not pics??!?!?!?

WHY?!?!

JGON
 
I would like to see the pics as well.
On another note being the original sheath is kydex would it be possible to heat it up & press it down to fit you new paracord handle? If i'm not mistaken I read that 1 of our forumites I think it may be TrailWolf if i'm not mistaken, please correct me if i'm wrong. Well heats kydex up in his oven at 355 degrees then places a phone book on it & sits on it as his press
 
I went searching for TrailWolf's post


TrailWolf said:
I spend the majority of my time in Manhattan - I can only get to my workshop upstate a few times a month - but this doesnt stop me from making kydes and making it on the CHEAP!

My supplies:

kitchen oven
die set from knifekits
2 pieces of molding foam from knifekits
rivets from knifekits (1/4")
hammer
heatgun (I used a candle with great results before I bought the gun)
standard power drill w 1/4" bit (bought bit from knifekits)
tin snips
knife

that is all you need!

I heat up a sheet of kydex in the oven (335* until floppy), take it out, put my blade between the kydex, then put it in between foam, put in on the tile floor put a coffee-table book on top and sit on it for 5 minute - this is my press :D

When it is still a bit warm, I trim the edges and get a nice shape with tin snips.

I wait for sheath to cool and harden.

I then space the holes with a teklok, drill holes and then set the rivets using the my hand die setter setup - I use a small block of wood to hold one die, then just hammer it by hand - simple and effective and cheap.

I use the heat gun to get a good fit after all is said and done and adjust tension. I used to use a candle and this worked fine on smaller sheaths, but once you start making 4"+ the heatgun really speeds up the process.

I trim any sharp edges with my knife - no saw or sandpaper.

Again, I do all of this in an apartment in manhattan with no heavy equipment - it is easily doable.

I just made a sheath last night for my new swamp rat M9 in about 35 minutes start to finish (see pics) - no the edges are not totally clean (if I was a perfectionist, some sanding would make it perfect), but it is a f'ing awesome sheath, fits like a glove, and literally cost me a few bucks...

I simply could not justfy paying $50+ a pop for kydex anymore so I do all my own and, except for the edges, it is just as good. I've literally saved over a grand by making my own. I can even do drop-leg belt loops :thumbup:

PM me with any questions.

Here are some pics for you:

all the tools I use (minus the coffe-table book and oven):
photo-61.jpg



My homemade die press :D
photo-62.jpg



Literally just finished this last night - I think it turned out AWESOME:
photo-63.jpg



Since this is the ESEE forum :)
photo-64.jpg


Have fun!
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I was a little off on the temperature he sets his oven at & he doesn't use a ph book & also uses foam
 
Just be careful not to go too hot on the oven - I think above 340* kydex can release pretty noxious (and harmful) gas.

@ the OP - keep it up man - I F'ed up so many pieces of kydex trying to learn and its definitely a learning process...

And yes, I do sit on my kydex :D:D:D

EDIT: Here is some sweet butt-pressed desert camo I've made again using my basic setup - just made the izzie one the other day and still need to add rivets. Only downside to camo patterns is if they get scratched, the camo finish can come off... see the first pic by the top of the sheath. Solid color kydex does wear like this.

9af6972a.jpg

270ae2e8.jpg
 
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Pics please!!! We gotta see what your 5 looks like. You can't post a thread like this and not post pics, it's just not right!
 
TrailWolf said:
Just be careful not to go too hot on the oven - I think above 340* kydex can release pretty noxious (and harmful) gas.

@ the OP - keep it up man - I F'ed up so many pieces of kydex trying to learn and its definitely a learning process...
Click to expand...

oh, i'm not new to this, bro. i actually run a sheath/holster business. i was just having a TERRIBLE day, had about 71billion things to do on my list, and was really P'd off. so.... nature ran it's course and the sheath came out horrible.

i have an order holding, right now, but i can't start it because i'm waiting on a specific color (client's request). that'll give me a little break to knock my own out, but before i do, i'm gonna go ahead and snap a couple photos. in fact, if my battery's charged, i'm gonna do it RIGHT AFTER i make THIS post :)
 
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HOLY CRAP, i figured out how to post pix LOL. while i'm not new to making Kydex sheaths, i am new to wrappin handles, this is only the second knife i've ever done a wrap on :D
 
droobies said:
So... you EDC a ESEE-5?
Click to expand...



sorry, i couldn't remember my photobucket password, had to make a new account, etc. so.... in the midst of doing all that, i neglected to answer your question. YES, i do EDC an ESEE 5, along with a secondary knife, and a handgun. also, i generally keep a Waki and a M4 in the car. i like being prepared lol.
 
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