How to: clean kydex sheaths so they dont scratch

N

Nebulae

Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
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I've heard people complaining about their kydex scratching their blades, but I never expected it to be this bad. after a few pulls from the sheath my blade has dozens of deep, about 320 grit (or at least thats how far down I had to go to get them out) scratches running across the length of the blade. I had etched the blade to match the neoprene scales, so the scratches show up big time.

I know what happened, I got grit from a dremel grinding tool in there, but how can I get it out. Ive tried washing it with lots of soap and water, and using pipe cleaners to brush it out, taping the blade to try to clean it out, but nothing works. what to do?:(:grumpy:
 
Take it apart or Toss it... Sorry that is the short answer. Sounds like the grit is imbedded... Needs to be sanded smooth.
Here is a Thumnail of how I do Kydex to help prevent that.
Before you heat form the sheath to the blade. Cover ea side of the blade with 5 layers of tape. First layer is always Painters tape, IE No Residue
No Bumps or overlap. Trim very close to the blade profile.
Form the sheath and remove blade.
Heat by the tip on the back side of the sheath and make a small indent at the point. This will retain the blade tip without (Few) scratches. Or stuff a small piece of dense foam down there.
Form around the handle or guard to retain the blade at the top.
You will still get some surface scratches Hope that helps
 
awww I was afraid of that. it was so nice to! maybe I'll try the air compressor
edit: maybe I can reheat the blade part a little and expand it enough.
 
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You may be able to do just that. Tape up both sides of the blade with maybe 3 layers of masking tape each. Leave the very tip (1/4") untaped. Reheat the sheath enough to get the knife in, then once it's hot enough, re-press the whole thing.
Once sand or grit is embedded inside, it's almost impossible to get out.
 
Cut a piece a thin sheet metal, flashing, soda can, whatever to shape and make sure the edges are squared. Slide it along the sides, and that should dislodge whatever it is. Then blow it out with air or pressurized water. If that doesn't work, you can try reheating it. In the future, keep abrasives away from the mouths of sheaths.
 
o.k so I havnt had a whole lot of time to work on it, but I tapped the blade with a couple of layers of thick gorila tape, and reformed the sheath. It is now noticeably thicker in the appropriate place, and I can see a bunch of grit in there. I will now wash it out with a hose, and re-sand my blade again, and hopefully that will be that.
 
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