How tight is tight enough (Kydex questions?)

C

crowinghorse

Joined
Sep 14, 1999
Messages
332
How tight of a retention lip is tight enough?
I am entering military service and have been told that to have a "jump qualified" sheath, the sheath has to have two retention devices, one of which is normally a retention lip (kydex).
The Mad Dog ATAK sheath is a prime example of what is considered a "jump qualified sheath. Another is the Edgeworks SOG SEAL 2K sheath.
1. What other knives come "jump qualified" sheaths?
2. If a retention lip is too loose, how do I tighten the kydex lip?

Thanks for the help...
Jess

Normark (Eric),
I may be sending you another knife and another money order...
smile.gif


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"By the power of Grayskull..."
 
Hello,

The Kydex sheath for the Ka-Bar Next Generation knives would qualify as "jump certified". The lip locks tightly around the crossguard and there is also a rubber retaining strap to go over the pommel. Some other choices with snug Kydex sheaths include the SOG Seal Pup, and the Cold Steel Recon Tanto and SRK.

If a Kydex sheath is loose and it is of the "sandwich" variety, if there is enough space along the edge you may be able to install a pair of rivets up close to the lip to tighten things up, depending on the exact sheath design.

Later,

MBS

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Nevermind the dog...beware of owner!
 
Your Busse should be "jump qualified", my sheath has a tight lip, a strap, plus a tolon hole for actually pinning the blade to the sheath. The latter is designed specifically for jumps. Hope this helps.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.
 
Hi Jess...

First off let me say I enjoyed our phone conversation this afternoon.. Was a nice break from my other job.. LOL
You have vaild questions,,and was happy to answer them for you...
smile.gif


As far as tightness is concerned...
Well different knives need different amounts of tightness.
A setup like you are wanting can afford a nice tight fit.. It must stay put when not in use,, but be easily removed.

I like to have a nice firm,crisp draw from my rigs,,for my own carry. Coming from a country that disallows any type of concealed carry..The knife must stay put,,without a single chance of it falling out...

On the other hand,, you want to be able to draw the knife quick,,without it hanging up and pulling the sheath off with it..

I recently design a boot knife sheath for a local LEO that Always carries a backup..
When he first got the knife back from me,, he found it was too tight and the sheath came along for the ride on the draw...

We later learned that all he needed to do,,was increase the speed he drew the knife,,as if in an emergency and the knife drew everytime,,without flaw.
This in fact became an added measure of safety for the LEO,,because if in a scuffle with a Crim,,and the knife was found,,chances are the Crim would draw the knife improperly,,taking the boot rig with it, Thus giving the LEO an exctra few seconds to disarm the situation..

It was a fluke it turned out that way,,but now he enjoys knowing the knife won't fall out during a foot chase like it has before...

Pheeew... Dang am I long winded...

So to answer your question...It all depends on the knife,, the role the knife plays and the user.. Different in every circumstance...

Thats why I build custom sheaths,and have a close relationship with my customers,,as you well know..

Hope this helped...

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 
Eric,
Thanks for the response.
I will send more design sketches with the (now) two knives.
The Busse sheath is very well made, but like I said, I am a big fan of "tight and tuff" rigs and because the Busse is so heavy, it requires a "little" more kydex work to do the trick to keep me happy...

Thanks...
Jess

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"By the power of Grayskull..."
 
My Busse Battle Mistress came with a kydex sheath that was too loose. The kydex offered no resistance to the knife and, as a result, the knife would slide out easily if held at even a slight inverted angle (unless the strap was secured).

This was easily fixed with a heat gun (or a borrowed hair dryer if you don't have a heat gun). Wearing a pair of heavy leather gloves, heat the sheath with the knife in it until it becomes slightly soft and pliable. Remove the heat source and push and hold the kydex into the appropriate position (usually just a little further than its previous position). Hold until the kydex stiffens back up (a couple of minutes). Then let it cool off.

After doing this to my sheath, the fit was tighter but the knife would still fall out if held completely inverted and shaken slightly. Also, even with the strap secured, the knife would rattle in its sheath when it was shaken, creating a lot of noise.

I then removed the knife from the sheath, re heated the kydex on the inboard top of the sheath (where the nylon loop is secured) and, when the kydex became soft, I pushed it over slightly towards the outboard side of the sheath (so it would press against the inboard side of the handle of the knife when sheathed). After the kydex cooled, I tested the fit and it was very secure while still allowing for a quick draw. Also, the knife no longer rattles in the sheath and is quiet.

I also knocked all of the sharp edges off the kydex sheath with sandpaper.

Finally, I added two drain holes to the inboard side of the distal end of the sheath.

I am now very happy with the sheath. In fact, I kind of enjoyed the fact that it needed some modifications.

BTW, I also modified the knife slightly by radiusing the edges of the forward guard (with a diamond hone). If you've been using your knife much, your index finger has probably noticed that that corner is a little on the uncomfortable side. Something else to think about (unless they've already corrected it).

[This message has been edited by Steve6 (edited 01-22-2000).]
 
I understand what you are saying and will try out a heat gun this afternoon...

Good thinking...

Jess

Eric, I am still planning on having you make me a new one, even if this works...
Thanks...
Jess

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"By the power of Grayskull..."
 
I used a heat gun and my Busse sheath is now tight as a drum...
almost too tight...
I tried to modify it a little, but I like my sheath tight...
It is scratching the hell out of the side of my knife, but I know it will not fall out if I ever get hit by a Hummer or fall out of an aircraft of some sort
smile.gif

(I can't wait to fast rope!!!
smile.gif
smile.gif


Is it a problem that my knife is getting scratched?
If I don't care what the knife looks like, it doesn't matter is what I figure...
does it?
The scatching won't affect the rust resistance of the surface will it?
Thanks...
Jess
I am not gone yet....10 hours...
smile.gif


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"By the power of Grayskull..."
 
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