I hate making sheaths

AVigil

AVigil

Adam Vigil working the grind
Platinum Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
7,309
I did a lot of leather work years ago and just stopped enjoying it maybe one day I will return. Until then I provide a kydex sheath with a blade.

Now, I don't like making kydex sheaths either so finding ways to do them well and head off problems is important.

I have seen people rivet the kydex together to form the sheath and it works great but I do not want to waste rivets.

So, I came up with using Chicago bolt. I take the post and grind it just shy of the thickness of 2 pieces of kydex. This allows the kydex to be held perfectly still by the post and when fastening the screw the kydex is locked into place and will not shift, slip or turn when you press.

The benefit of using the Chicago set up is you can use them over and over again.

When you take the kydex out of the oven you place it in the press and just lift the top kydex layer and place the knife inside. Lay the kydex on top and the knife will hold still when you press because they kydex will not shift in the press.

Once cool you can lay out your rivet holes and drill them and then cut the kydex with the bandsaw close to shape.

Remove the Chicago screws and they are ready for the next sheath.

Hope this helps someone

Because "F" making sheaths :)

Ub4R4iu.jpg
 
AVigil said:
I did a lot of leather work years ago and just stopped enjoying it maybe one day I will return. Until then I provide a kydex sheath with a blade.

Now, I don't like making kydex sheaths either so finding ways to do them well and head off problems is important.

I have seen people rivet the kydex together to form the sheath and it works great but I do not want to waste rivets.

So, I came up with using Chicago bolt. I take the post and grind it just shy of the thickness of 2 pieces of kydex. This allows the kydex to be held perfectly still by the post and when fastening the screw the kydex is locked into place and will not shift, slip or turn when you press.

The benefit of using the Chicago set up is you can use them over and over again.

When you take the kydex out of the oven you place it in the press and just lift the top kydex layer and place the knife inside. Lay the kydex on top and the knife will hold still when you press because they kydex will not shift in the press.

Once cool you can lay out your rivet holes and drill them and then cut the kydex with the bandsaw close to shape.

Remove the Chicago screws and they are ready for the next sheath.

Hope this helps someone

Because "F" making sheaths :)

Ub4R4iu.jpg
Click to expand...
I'm curious. I've made a lot of kydex sheaths and I haven't had a problem with shifting kydex when I press it. Well I did early on, when I was trying too hard to save material and didn't give myself enough wiggle room. I leave as much extra as you do and haven't had a problem. Is it because I but my press without a hinge? I just lay the kydex, knife, top piece of kydex and lay my top press plate on and clamp with four clamps. I ask, because I just built a new press that utilizes a hinge, but I haven't used it yet .
 
Kevin McGovern said:
I'm curious. I've made a lot of kydex sheaths and I haven't had a problem with shifting kydex when I press it. Well I did early on, when I was trying too hard to save material and didn't give myself enough wiggle room. I leave as much extra as you do and haven't had a problem. Is it because I but my press without a hinge? I just lay the kydex, knife, top piece of kydex and lay my top press plate on and clamp with four clamps. I ask, because I just built a new press that utilizes a hinge, but I haven't used it yet .
Click to expand...
My press uses a hinge and at times you will find the top layer can move as the press is closing at an angle . It also has to do with the design of the knife.

The best presses are the book maker type presses. They press perfectly flat.

One day I will make one
 
Thanks for the tip Adam! I’ve only made about four kydex sheaths but I’ve had issues with the two pieces not staying lined up about half the time.
Brady
 
I've been using the small size steel binder clips, they work great. I take the handles off while heating and pressing.

Screenshot_20180221-200858~2.png

For tacos, I'll let the Kydex get soft in the oven, fold and clip the edges then toss it back in for 10 minutes.

~Chip
 
Last edited:
Yup, just slip the knife between the sheets and smash it :). They do dent the Kydex a bit, but that was getting trimmed off anyway.

~Chip
 
WValtakis said:
Yup, just slip the knife between the sheets and smash it :). They do dent the Kydex a bit, but that was getting trimmed off anyway.

~Chip
Click to expand...

Do the clips tear up the foam or interfere with how far the press closes?
 
Nope, not if you squeeze and remove the handles before pressing.

~Chip
 
You could, but then you'd be pressing them into your Kydex (ask me how I know).

~Chip
 
After assembling the warm kydex, knife, and warm kydex, could you put a sheet of vacuum bag material on top and pull a vacuum, instead of using some kind of a press?
Tim
 
tim37a said:
After assembling the warm kydex, knife, and warm kydex, could you put a sheet of vacuum bag material on top and pull a vacuum, instead of using some kind of a press?
Tim
Click to expand...
I looked into building a vacuum press, but I think you won't get as good definition as apposed to a regular press. Also, depending on the vacuum press, the bottom piece would be flat, and the top defined.
 
Good tip on the clips! Im gonna give that a shot this next time!! I've got 20 knives i'm dreading making sheaths for...i mostly do leather, but do some kydex work too! Thanks!
 
A friend of mine recently made a vacuum press. It’s oretty impressive. He’s made several holsters and it gives really good detail when it’s pulling vacuum. I did wonder if the bottom side would end up flat, though. I plan to commandeer it sometime to give things a try and see how it all goes.

To the OP’er and others in this thread, thanks very much for the great suggestions. Definitely going to come in handy for a few projects I have in mind.


Jeremy
 
I just have a set of eyelets that I use for holding the sheath together when forming it. I don’t set/flare the eyelets I use for doing this. Just leave them straight.

After removing it from the kydex press, I drill the holes with the knife in it, then pop in the eyelets, and then go to town. The eyelets that I have stay in the holes well enough that I don’t usually need to put tape over them. But if you were so inclined, you could pull a strip of duct tape, rip it lengthwise, and then put it over the heads of the eyelets to hold them in.

If you haven’t already, check out the YouTube video sticky at the top of this section. There’s a good kydex tutorial on the last page near the bottom. It’s by Fletcher Knives. Some VERY helpful tips for using spacers for knives that have large guard-like ricassos.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top