How to make Kydex sheaths

P

pedropcola

Joined
Feb 24, 2006
Messages
880
Heres my question boys. Is making your own sheath out of kydex something the average Joe could do with a few practice tries? Are there any links for the beginner? A FBM thread caught my eye where the guy made a simple backpack sheath and I thought it looked awesome. Well, what do you think. Should I leave it up to the professionals?

pete
 
Leave it up to professionals :D :D
 
David Brown said:
Leave it up to professionals :D :D
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I find this to be true about many things unless you need about 50 of them.

I have no idea how much money I have spent on tools and things so I could "just do it myself."

The only thing that has paid off is reducing my need to pay lawyers.
 
I agree with having pros do it! There are a few threads in one of the forum which is very informative. I just did my Kevin Wilkins mini thorn(it came with a leather sheath) with .060 kydex and it came out very nicely, I think. I do this on smaller knives but not with larger ones.
 
Making kydex sheaths that'll hold the knife securely is easy enough to do.

Making them so they don't look like spray-painted vomit and don't try to eat handles is the work of professionals.
 
David Brown said:
Leave it up to professionals :D :D
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Listen to David. He should be able to recommend someone, but avoid BuyBrownProducts. They suck... Especially his double flame sheath, his new inlays, his ever progressing designs. Basically, his sniffs kydex. :eek: :D :p


Seriously though... Go with a pro. I've messed with kydex and had the right tools (Gloves, paint gun, grinder with scotch brite belts, vise with mold, etc) and it still came out like crap. Not worth my time or effort and I don't like carrying an ugly sheath.
 
What's wrong with the original Busse Combat sheath? Trees gave there lives for them!:D :p
 
You could always go with a factory sheath ????:D

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KnifeAddictAK said:
Listen to David. He should be able to recommend someone, but avoid BuyBrownProducts. They suck... Especially his double flame sheath, his new inlays, his ever progressing designs. Basically, his sniffs kydex. :eek: :D :p


Seriously though... Go with a pro. I've messed with kydex and had the right tools (Gloves, paint gun, grinder with scotch brite belts, vise with mold, etc) and it still came out like crap. Not worth my time or effort and I don't like carrying an ugly sheath.
Click to expand...

Yep these things are UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUgly
 
Pete,
I say, Give it a try! It seems like most of the folks that are advising you to "Leave it to a Pro", have already tried it on their own or are still doing it for money and would be willing to sell you one. The material is fairly cheap and depending on how big, complicated, and fancy you want this sheath, you might be able to do it fairly well and enjoy the process. I have seen a couple articles on "how to make kydex sheaths". They can be pretty basic and do not "require" all they fancy stuff.

If you are looking to make something to show off or sell, you might leave it to a pro, but for a user, if you are will to, give it a try.

Mark
 
Man!

After looking at those pics attached to Mr. Brown's post...looks like I'm going to have to Buy Brown myself for my new FBMs. And maybe a few other pieces of steel in the safe.

You learn something new every day.
 
If you search, and read several tutorials (don't just read one) you can make a good sheath for yourself. Keep in mind that that's a good sheath, not an excellent sheath. Excellent sheaths are still worth the money.
 
OMG, Dave, those are unfriggingbelievably cool!!!

What's with the last one? You did flower etchings on the Kydex. Looks like an old western rig.

And the piggy back pistol on the BM-E. You're totally insane. I love em all.
 
I say give it a shot. The pics attached are of my first sheath. I watched a video on this link and jumped in.
http://www.chiro75knives.com/tutorials/plasticsheath/plasticsheathtutorial.html

If you want a professional sheath, leave it to a professional. If you enjoy working with your hands and want to give a new hobby a try get after it. As you'll see from the pics my first shot is no masterpiece, but it holds the knife tight with no rattle and I made it. I have to say that I did have help with materials from a local Knifemaker named Mr. McDonald. I bought a small toaster oven for $19 at Target and a heatgun from a pawn shop for $25. Mr. McDonald hooked me up with everything else I needed. (Thanks Mr. McDonald) Check out his site if you have time. www.mcdonaldknives.com Great workmanship and an even better man. I was speaking with another maker this past week at a show. I mentioned how nice things worked out and how Mr. McDonald really helped me out. His comment, "Funny how that works out isn't it? That's the way it's supposed to be." The friendships and mentoring are another part of what makes knife collecting a great past time. Good luck with whatever you decide, but if you do make a sheath post the pics.
 

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Hi pete,
Thanks for the kind words about my homemade sheath.
I used to make some kydex sheaths for my local friends and some for US buddys since six years ago if my memory serves me well.
But I have not made sheaths (maybe one or two years now) due to the day job and degree study concurrently.
With some proper tools and equipments you can make good sheath by yourself.
But just like other's commnets, professional sheath making need experience and a lot of practice. David Brown is a good source for sure. :thumbup:
But in my humble opinion, the best part is do-it-by-youself. The feel is great when you make some thing really work, no need to be fancy or multi-function.
The kydex making tutorial by Anso is very good. You may check it out.

Joe
 
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