How does Curdura hold up to the elements?

cerberus

cerberus

Joined
Jul 19, 2000
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I am looking for a sheath that I can taylor design my newest knife, my Siegle camp knife, re-curve style. I want to have a a sizable pocket on the outside to keep some goodies in. I also want to hopefully do this myself:rolleyes: , still debating on this.

I know that kydex is the best for the elements, but all the designs that I have had are tough to draw with one hand cause they all lock so tight. I havd this thought in my head. It is going to look like the sheath for the old Gerber BMF with sizeable pocket on the front to "stuff"

If anyone has experienced any weak points in the design, let me know, ie: thread tearing, thread leaking, and so on.



Cerberus
 
Cordura as a rugged material for rough usage has a pretty long history in backpacks. The higher the denier count, the thicker the thread used to weave the material. For a rough estimation of denier-to-weight-per-square-yard conversion, check out some of the fabrics on this page:
http://www.questoutfitters.com/coated.html
Specifically, they show CORDURA: WT/SQ YD=11.0 oz.(1000 denier), 8 oz (500 denier), 4 oz. (330 denier).

The "cordura outer with kydex liner" knife sheath design itself is viable. There are a number of makers who use it to prevent the point poking through the sheath as the knife is re-sheathed. The makers I'm aware of who use this are Becker Knife & Tool, Busse, and SOE sheaths.

IMHO if you want the sheath to be bombproof (to match the knife :) ) the critical point will be to have the sheath made by someone who will execute the design sturdily, i.e. triple-stitching around the edge, .080 or heavier kydex, heavy-duty snap on keeper strap, etc.

Kydex used alone for the sheath body (with a lash-on pouch on the outside for stuffing) can be adjusted to both hold the knife securely, but still allow it to deploy single-handedly. You could touch bases with some of the kydex-meisters to get the sheath made to your specifications - Eric Noeldechen at On-Scene Tactical, Brian Wagner (Okuden here on BFC), Robert Humelbaugh of Survival Sheath Systems, David Brown of Buy Brown Holsters, or Mike Sastre of River City Sheaths.
 
Kydex need not be difficult to draw or resheath. A knifemaker out west made one that was formed to the knife, but not fitted by friction. The mouth of the sheath was throated or bevelled to facilitate easier insertion, and the knife was held in place by a nylon strap and snap closure.
 
I wish somebody still made Cordura sheaths. I had one that came with my old Gerber Outback Bowie. The sheath had rivets at the throat and a Blackie Collins pistol belt spring clip like on the Bianchi holsters. It was the best, it would never rot, it was silent, it was easily cleaned, held the knife securely and had the most positive belt lock I've ever used. Cold Steel used to sell these types of sheaths for like $25.00, but have since moved on to Kydex or Concealex.

They must have been too expensive to produce. Now everyone uses Kydex because it's so cheap.

If I could go back in time I'd buy all I could find.
 
scott hendryx sheaths are the best I have ever seen or used.

I had one it was awesome.

he used to make sheaths for milt sparks a renowned gunleather sheath maker. so he comes with serious experience.
 
I have a Hendryx sheath and man, it is awesome. I had him replace some of the eyelets on the belt loop with rivets to add more strength. I'm not a paratrooper so I didn't need the added eyelets to tie it in. They are high quality and tough as nails. Nice guy to deal with too.
 
Scott Hendryx's e-mail address is-

SHDsheaths@msn.com

Scott Hendryx Design
5997 Smokey Way
Boise, Idaho 83714

(208) 377-8044

Send $1.00 for brochure

Hope this helps.

"Survival, that's the game..."
 
I have heard that Kydex is not the material of choice in a 20 or below environment. Apparently the material becomes brittle.

In this type of environment I think Nylon would excel.

Also perhaps one of those combo kydex/nylon sheaths would do well of worn close to the body.

Does anyone have any comments on this? Is there any difference in temp rating between kydex, Concealex etc?
 
I don't believe there is any temp differnece in Kydex vs. Concealex. In a sub zero environment they both get brittle and could crack or snap if struck. I read of someone in Minnesota or North Dakota testing his sheaths in -20 temps. He left them outside overnight then struck them with a baton or something and he cracked them.

I'd go with a heavy leather sheath of the pouch variety, probably worn across the body Scandinavian style. When you're bundled up in heavy clothing with gloves on, you just can't get at snaps and straps. Being able to just pull your knife in and out can make the difference of life, death or frostbite.
 
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