How tight should the sheath be?

[iBlade]

Not trying to be rude here but just curious, since receiving my new YCS I have been straping it on and going for early morning walks whilst it is still dark (do not want to freak the sheep).

The first thing I noticed was this thing is HEAVY - maybe I need a wider belt to distribute the weight, you guys who wear guns may be used to the weight of a large piece of metal strapped to your waist but to me its seems a little odd still.

The next think i noticed was that the blade is a little loose in the sheath, whilst the weight holds it in if I run it slops a little in there, certainly if I turn it upside down she pops right out. Now I have read that if you soak the sheath in water and then wrap a belt around it when it dires it is tighter. But how much water and for how long and should I take the knife out or leave it in?

I would like to be able to essentially do most any activity and not worry about the khuk desheathing, the awl and small blades are in very tight but the khuk itself is not - just how tight should it be and what do others do?

 

[Karda]

A scabbard should be tight enough for the blade to be drawn somewhat easily, but not so loose that it falls out when turned upside down. Although not all scabbards can be fixed this way, most of the time this problem can be alleviated by adjusting the frog on the scabbard.
First try adjusting the frog a little higher on the scabbard, sometimes this will help to tighten the throat of the scabbard and keep the blade in there tighter. experiment with it a little.
Next, You could glue a small strip of thin leather just inside the throat of the scabbard, this could alleviate the problem, but you may also need to readjust the frog for proper fit.
I would try these two methods before i would try soaking the scabbard. If done improperly you may well ruin the scabbard and it is not certain that it will solve the problem long term.This method is typically used for sheaths (all leather) As these scabbards are made of leather covered wood, it is likely that it may not help much if at all. It may also loosen up on you again as the weather changes or if you apply any type of oils to the scabbard.
As far as the weight you may want to wear a second "khukuri" belt for the larger models. A wider one may also help.

 

[kronckew]

an over the shoulder baldric takes the load off your waist:

this one is made from a leather luggage strap with steel clips on either end. i stuck a carabiner thru the frog loop and added 2 steel rings to give something to clip on to. easy enough to make your own variation. one of my other khuks uses a nylon strap with a pad for the shoulder. (dha above it came with it's own cord baldric ) note also the large brass jingle bell epoxied onto the pointy chape tip.

 

[hollowdweller]

Most of the YCS's of recent have been near 2 lbs but I got one a while back that was around 23 or 25 oz. That thing carries great.

My old one that I sold was around 2 lbs. Axe like but really too heavy to carry around or swing at saplings.

I personally like the khuk to be really loose in the scabbard, so when I am hiking I can put it in and out with one hand and knock off obstacles blocking the trail. Gravity holds them in, I'm not worried about them falling out.:thumbup:

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I don't mind so much if they are fairly loose either, though I don't like them to rattle. The leather fix would be your best bet for fit.

The baldric fix is your best bet for weight control, it would work just like the old Same Brown gun belt setups.

Andy

 

[Nicholas]

The baldric fix is your best bet for weight control, it would work just like the old Same Brown gun belt setups.

I was just about to mention that! But I held back, thinking that I was getting off-topic.

I've been considering getting a Sam browne t carry my khuk. Obviously, the reinforced spot at the side would carry it comfortably. But I've also been thinking carrying a khuk ON the baldric, and keeping the belt for, say, a quiver of arrows. (Although I might have to build a wider baldric for that........)

 

[Gothmog]

... but does anyone have suggestions for a scabbard that's too tight?

I just received a very nice kukhri which can only be drawn by using both hands as the fit is too close. I prefer something which can be drawn more easily.

 

[thesmokestack]

... but does anyone have suggestions for a scabbard that's too tight?

I just received a very nice kukhri which can only be drawn by using both hands as the fit is too close. I prefer something which can be drawn more easily.

Just pulling it in and out of the sheath will loosen it eventually. My bonecutter came with a super tight sheath but after a few weeks of being constantly drawn and sheathed it has loosened noticeably. It was not my intention to loosen it, I just can't stop admiring the darn thing. You might even try wiggling it about in there just abit if you can't wait for it to loosen on its own.

 

[ferguson]

... but does anyone have suggestions for a scabbard that's too tight?

I just received a very nice kukhri which can only be drawn by using both hands as the fit is too close. I prefer something which can be drawn more easily.

It it's tight near the scabbard mouth, take a knife or chisel and carve out a little of the wood.

Steve

 

[Karda]

Try adjusting the frog a little lower on the scabbard to start with.

 

[Gothmog]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I've tried the two least intrusive options and the problem is only slightly relieved. It appears that I may have to resort to chipping away some wood. Will the leather lift away easily or will it be glued in place?

 

[iBlade]

there is another way before you start hacking away, take off the frog and remove the khuk, and any other blades etc, then make a couple of small pegs from some wodd, slightly begger than the opening for the khuk, then soak the sheath in water, not sure how much is needed but enough for the mouth of the sheath to be pliable, I do not think you need to soak the lower part of the sheath.
once pliabe gently push in the pegs into the opening and leave over night.
Once dry remove pegs and you should have an easier fit.
You may need to do this a couple of times to get it right - little steps at a time rather than massive ones.

 

[Karda]

It appears that I may have to resort to chipping away some wood. Will the leather lift away easily or will it be glued in place?

It is glued in place. If i were going to go this route i would carefully loosen it with an exacto knife or awl, maybe both and take a small file to the wood and shave off a little bit at a time while testing the fit the whole way.
Remember you can always take off a little more but putting it back is near impossible.