Ideal Combat Sheath?

S

satin

Joined
Apr 6, 2001
Messages
1,394
I'm curious about something...
I'm a knife guy... I spend a LOT of time thinking about, and sketching out knives... but rarely sheaths.
Sure, I'll think about advanced carry systems (shoulder or dundee rigs, more exotic stuff, wrist sheaths etc.)... but very little thought on basic belt sheaths/realistic sheathing, say for the combat knife.

So.. I'd like to see what others here think is needed for the ideal combat sheath.
I'm talking about a sheath thats going to be used by a soldier, in the field.

Whats needed?
Whats a bad idea?
What materials should be used?

(P.S. Great forum... Very valuable/helpful thoughts being expressed here.:))
 
I've never been in combat, nor am I in the services. But if I were, I would be ordering a sheath from SOE for my knife. SOE makes the sheaths for Strider knives. Kydex for blade safety, nylon for quiet operation and more flexibility in the sheath, and you get some color options. Plys there is that pouch on the front.

The nylon sheaths that come with Kit Carson knives look awesome too, as do Robert H's sheaths.
 
I don't think there is one "ideal" sheath for combat use. It will always be needing to change as your equipment changes to fit different types of weather considerations (arctic vs jungle).
As well as the type of operation you and your unit is involved in.
This is not to say that you can't attempt to wear the knife the same way all the time, you should try to do this for muscle memory sake.
But there will be times and conditions that may force you to wear say your sidearm and main blade in other than your normal places.
This why I feel that sheaths like SOE's and Eagle's nylon ones and Kydex one's made that use the Tek-Lok system work the best so you can quickly and without haveing to rig some half-assed stuff up to make it all work right, re-attatch it.
This has brought up a thought that I think I'll bright up as an other link on this site.
How many times have you been about to buy a new knife and not done so becouse the sheath was
1.made like junk
2.made so that no one could wear and use it properly
3.both
 
I'd have to say Kydex.

Won't rot, is strong and light. What more do you need? Up-and-coming Bladesmith Jason Cutter of Jason Cutter Bladeart (JCB) does some of the best Kydex tactical rigs, period...
 
Originally posted by Hibuke
Up-and-coming Bladesmith Jason Cutter of Jason Cutter Bladeart (JCB) does some of the best Kydex tactical rigs, period...
Click to expand...

Link? Pictures? I always enjoy seeing nice kydex work. :)

The sheath that was on my Livesay Company Knife was really solid, just riveted kydex with a black webbing belt loop, about 10 feet of para-cord tiead around the sheath, and lots of holes/slots in the sheath for stapping/tying onto a pack, strapping down to your leg, all sortsa stuff.
When I think about a sheath for a combat knife, its usually that one I think about first.

I seem to have a mental blocker against the nylon sheaths with kydex inserts... they look solid enough, as I'm sure they are... but there's a little voice in my head (not literally, I scared all the real ones away) that plays devils advocate against 'em sometimes... altho, when I think about it, I see no reason for them to be anything but effective and totally solid.
(Hmm... need to try out these sheaths so I can make an informed opinion... might be a good excuse to save for a Strider...;))

What about "piggy back" kydex sheaths? do-able or to be avoided?
I like the idea of carrying a larger "combat knife", with a smaller, possibly double edged, knife piggy-backing... but I would think this would potentially end up being more of a "gadget factor"-ish idea than practical.
 
I don't like the nylon/kydex combos for my use. I find that if they dangle loosely from the belt, the knife flops around and when I try to draw, pulls the sheath up with it. I don't like tying the bottom to my leg either. I prefer a plain old kydex high-ride sheath for larger blades, or a horizontal sheath for smaller. Both of these are less conspicuous for around-town wear or hiking in populated areas. However, I can see how a drop-leg sheath might be most comfortable for military use, given the amount of crap you have to carry on back/belt.
 
"Link? Pictures? I always enjoy seeing nice kydex work."

Link? Sorry! He's not on the 'net...

Besides, his policy is KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!)

He also doesn't have much of a computer. The last time he tried to access the 'net from home, heck, he was merely installing IE and his PC blew up in his face! Well, not really blew, just a pop and smoke started coming out of the CPU...

To cut a long story short, his PC runs only Wordperfect, and only for typing up brochures and specsheets for his products...

As for pics, well, I'll have to look into that. I have a few of his pieces and they're superb!

Oh, before I forget. Combi-sheaths, made of premium molded, full-grain, saddle-grade leather and Kydex are really great. They're especially good for traditional blade styles like Bowies and *TRADITIONAL* Khukuris...
 
Three factors:

1. Security of the knife
2. Ease of carry on one's person
3. Sure draw and replacement of knife into sheath

1. If you lose your knife due to poor design and retention considerations then it doesn't matter what the sheath was made of, or who it came from.

2. The sheath must be comfortable to wear on or near the body. On meaning pants belt...near meaning LBV or LBE riding atop the body. If it's not comfortable you won't carry the knife, regardless of how good the knife might be and from whom it comes from.

3. The sheath must allow for a sure draw stroke, and make it easy for you to return the knife to the scabbard. Fumbling around coming out or going back in results in potential self-injury, damage to your clothing or equipment, and even loss of the knife for even a moment.

These three considerations are universal regardless of application or catagory of blade.

I learned the importance of a solid, common sense, well put together sheath while learning how to live in the wilderness and rock climb at Paul Petzoldt's National Outdoor Leadership School in the Wind River Range above Lander, Wyoming, over 30 years ago now.

Use these 3 thought processes as your guide and you'll be pleased with the results. :)
 
A good sheath is very important, because as stated before a good knife in a bad sheath is a waste.
I have good experience with kydex, the sheath of my fallkniven A1 is simple and effective.
But the best sheath I have is the lexan sheath for my Hill Knives SOK. It allows me to carry the sheath at my left and right side, upside or downside from my backpack straps. I am righthanded and when Icarry the sheath at my left side I an insert the knife so that it is easy to grip with my right hand.
You can see a icture of the knife and sheath at:
www.hillknives.com/military knives.
 
Most has been said.

Noise, kydex may protect you from the blade, not rot, and hold a blade securely, but it is noisey. It's not the the drawing or inserting the knife thats the problem (a bit gritty) but its the noise they make when they clang against something.
Nylon, kydex inserts, should be the solution but often aren't. The cordura or balistic nylon may not wear but too often the edge webbing and strapping does.
Leather is great as it self heals, but it just cannot take the day in day out soakings.

Large knives can fix to the waist webbing order, but they do need to be easily taken off and on frequently; to keep up with your change of dress and for maintenance. Though it is the best place for them. On just a belt they are not very compatible when jumping in and out of vehicles as they forever get you in the back or get cought up. I never got on much with chest webbing so can't comment. Chest fixing, left side, gets you in the ribs when flat on the dirt. Anything that gets in the way of running or pumping your arms when running is evil.
Yup, its not an easy question to answer. Probably why I used to carry three knives, the fixed utility (belt order), SAK (trouser pocket) and folder (on the belt). The folder was in a low ride pouch so that it didn't dig in when wearing belt order. It was there for when I was away from my fixed blade/belt order; ie when in a vehicle.

I hate the snap strap fasteners. Chris Reeve nylon button system works
for the Project's design. Kydex is secure. There is certainly room for improvement as the answer hasn't been found.

Cold Steel, Gerber, Blackjack among others have all let the side down with poor sheaths. But generally they are in the cost sensitive market and the sheath is one place to save on costs. Can anyone think of a knife that sold because of raves about the sheath?
 
Greenjacket, the only two knives (out of many) that I did not feel the need to replace the sheaths on as soon as I bought them were my Randall#14 and Strider WB.
The sheaths that came with those two knives were well made and thought out sheaths, I only replaced the Randall's becouse of the leather getting and staying wet long after the rain stopped or I was out of the swamp.
I make Kydex sheaths for guys here at and around Ft. Bragg and alot of times I have the guy come by with his kit so we can make and place everything right so he doesn't get home and try on his new sheath that looks great but doesn't work with his gear, so now he has to change his kit around to fit the knife. Once a guy gets his gear just the way he wants it he should not have to change it around his knife. Unless he knew that prior to adding the knife on.
This is especially true with some of the chest rigs, unless the guy says he is going to wear his knife on his pants belt I have him bring the chest rig by so we(the operator of the equipment and me) can decide where he is going to place the knife and I build the sheath from there.
To keep Kydex quiet just wrap some 100MPH tape around it, that way when you scap or bump into something you don't hear that plastic sound 100 meters away.
 
Fallschrimjager, you sure do spoil them. Where to have that knife is harder said than done and needs some thought. The bigger the knife the bigger the problem.

I've used tape, well everyone does, even Kukris with their wooden/leather sheaths need some.

I've got a design for you, three lengths of kydex to make a ladder system with cord. Have to scoot, but will be back on this one.
 
Greenjacket, no sence buying a sheath for 35-50 bucks to be unhappy with it a nd not be able to put it on your kit the way you thought it would go when you payed for it. Coming by my house with your kit and letting me see what your tying to do takes care of this problem.
Bigger knives, sometimes a guy will want to put a large bowie on his kit with Kydex in a way that I will do it only becouse he asked and even when I say it's gonna be hard to wear it that way he insists I do it.
Most of the time I send guys with big bowies to talk to someone at Eagle Industies or SOE for one of their Nylon/Kydex sheath. As I feel that is the most comfotable way to wear a knife that big.
A ladder system with Kydex? Hey as we say with jumping...you rig it, you ride it.
 
Its just that I never had someone to do it for me :(

The sheath idea could be made in one long piece of kydex, but may be better with more. I have never worked with kydex.

Cut a teutonic elongated "s" shaped piece of kydex with a thicker rectangular section in the middle. The middle piece is folded to make the pocket to hold the knife. Having been folded it should look as one straight piece. The top and bottom tails can then be folded under to make the belt loops from either direction. The tails should be kept as long as posible as if there were two loops, three tiers. Add lines of spaced punch holes along all six edges. Paracord, or nuts and bolts, fixes everything together in whatever position.

If that makes sence then you are a genius. :) There is lots of room for fine tuning. You may have already done this before; even rejected it.

Tell me if it has any merrit.
 
Tried drawing it out all I keep coming up with are ink blot test figures that look like either butterflies or large breasted women, tell me Doc, can I be cured?
What I really do is when a new idea like this comes around is do it in cardboard to see if it can be done and tweek it from there.
 
I also like the idea of a horizontal sheath. I am not a soldier. All I do is walk around the CA desert and shoot up tin cans. I wear a web belt with a .45 on the right side, but I would like to access my blade with my right hand, thus I need a horizontal sheath. Who makes some good ones? I like the SOE sheaths and was thinking abouting contacting them and having a custom sheath made specifically for horizontal carry. I guess they could do it.
 
Another question... was talking with my father this morning, and he said he thought it was a good idea to have a sheath that had a pocket, or a molded slot, that held some sort of a diamond hone, as well as the knife.
Seems like a good idea to me... but is this a true neccessity for having on the sheath, or just an extra doo-dad that isnt useful when a sharpener can be carried in a pocket?
 
Fallschrimjager, email reply gone down, please send another. Your last pics didn't come out either, and now I can't reply.:(

Sorry folks for this personal post.
 
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