Inexpensive Concealex Sheath for Inexpensive Outdoor/Bushcraft Knives

[Marion David Poff]

Good Day,

This is a concept I have been thinking of for some time...

There are a number of different knives that are popular with the Bushcraft and Outdoor community, that work quite well, that come with less than desirable sheaths.

The knives I am talking about are like the Mora Clipper, Mora Hard Grip 510, Mora Tradesman, Mora Craftsman, Marttiini M571 (aka Kellam All Purpose Knife), Lauri Knife (aka Kellam S-Line Utility Knife or Ahti Finman).

But, usually a Concealex/Kydex sheath by the nature of being custom, is priced out of range to be an effective companion to these knives.

So, I think I have figured out an answer, but I would like your thoughts on the subject.

What do you think is necessary for this to be a complete solution? What options?

What have you always wanted in a sheath for your Mora Clipper or like?

Note - I am not trying to sell anything to anyone in this thread. Let's not discuss price or ordering, or any of that. This is not a sale thread. I just want to hear your thoughts on the subject.

 

[zhangmaster12]

I believe that the Thermoplastic Mora uses can be heated and molded a bit. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Make your own sheath! Its 9 bucks for a Kit of Knifekits and that one kit will probably be good for 3 moras. (Provided that you find a way to make two more buckles and get more eye-rivets)

 

[Codger_64]

A "mold your own" kit with easy to follow instructions would be great. While you mention a few knives that are inexpensive yet modern, I would like such a sheath for some of my old-timey knives like my DeWeese, Sharpfinger, Schrade Woodsman 165 etc. A kit to fit neck knives like the original Beckers would be good too.

Selling just an easy to make kit would eliminate the maker's design and labor costs, only needing to mark up the basic materials and cover the costs of printing and shipping. That should bring down the cost of a MYOG sheath in line with inexpensive field knives.

 

[veubent]

I have been wanting a kydex sheath with a removeable firesteel loop for my mora clipper for some time now. But youve brought up the only problem. The sheath will cost 3x the knife cost. So i too am interested in finding a way to get a cheap kydex sheath.

 

[Marion David Poff]

I believe that the Thermoplastic Mora uses can be heated and molded a bit. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Make your own sheath! Its 9 bucks for a Kit of Knifekits and that one kit will probably be good for 3 moras. (Provided that you find a way to make two more buckles and get more eye-rivets)

A "mold your own" kit with easy to follow instructions would be great. While you mention a few knives that are inexpensive yet modern, I would like such a sheath for some of my old-timey knives like my DeWeese, Sharpfinger, Schrade Woodsman 165 etc.

Selling just an easy to make kit would eliminate the maker's design and labor costs, only needing to mark up the basic materials and cover the costs of printing and shipping. That should bring down the cost of a MYOG sheath in line with inexpensive field knives.

Well, like zhang points out, such kits are available, but they cannot offer the tools necessary to make sheaths at a reasonable rate. The cheapest I know to get the press foam would triple the cost of a kit, and that does not even include the press.

And, a good number of people don't want to make their own, they want to buy one.

While you mention a few knives that are inexpensive yet modern, I would like such a sheath for some of my old-timey knives like my DeWeese, Sharpfinger, Schrade Woodsman 165 etc.

People usually solve this problem, by biting the bullet, and making one large purchase, shipping the knives to a custom sheath maker, who does a batch with all your knives, and then they get shipped back.

A kit to fit neck knives like the original Beckers would be good too.

What is this? Are you speaking of the belt clip that fits on their neck knife sheath?


Marion

 

[Marion David Poff]

I have been wanting a kydex sheath with a removeable firesteel loop for my mora clipper for some time now. But youve brought up the only problem. The sheath will cost 3x the knife cost. So i too am interested in finding a way to get a cheap kydex sheath.

So, other than the re-moveably fire steel holder, the expense is your only concern?

Marion

 

[zhangmaster12]

You dont need a press. Use some plywood and any foam or towels you have at home. The grippy rubbery stuff you put under carpets work great. I used that and towels to make mine.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I think the hey is to find a beginner knifemaker/sheathmaker looking for experience, and to not expect much more than solid retention- anything else (like firesteel loop) would take too much time and add to the price again.

 

[Marion David Poff]

I think the hey is to find a beginner knifemaker/sheathmaker looking for experience, and to not expect much more than solid retention- anything else (like firesteel loop) would take too much time and add to the price again.

That is one solution, but it is hard to keep looking for the new guy that you hope will make a decent sheath.

Marion

 

[Kiah]

Interesting thread. These particular knives lend themselves well to the option of lower priced offers. They, for the most part, are easier to sheath than most other knives due to their guards which reduces labor. The main reason my Mora sheaths tend to be more inexpensive than other sheaths I make. They're pretty much made for Kydex.

Of course there are ways to reduce cost further. Corners can always be cut to make a cheaper product. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see what you've come up with. Though, and don't take this the wrong way, I think you'd get better feedback if you simply laid your ideas out for input as I don't think the wording in your OP is gonna get the direct response you're looking for.

 

[Marion David Poff]

Interesting thread. These particular knives lend themselves well to the option of lower priced offers. They, for the most part, are easier to sheath than most other knives due to their guards which reduces labor. The main reason my Mora sheaths tend to be more inexpensive than other sheaths I make. They're pretty much made for Kydex. .

I agree. I can see that you see where I am going.

Of course there are ways to reduce cost further. Corners can always be cut to make a cheaper product. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see what you've come up with.

I don't think I have come up with much that is revolutionary, but I am hoping to fit a niche. And I certainly don't want to cut corners, more find the sweet spot, and figure out what the important features are to the average outdoors/bushcraft user.

Though, and don't take this the wrong way, I think you'd get better feedback if you simply laid your ideas out for input as I don't think the wording in your OP is gonna get the direct response you're looking for.

I hear ya, I am trying to stay away from directly sounding like I am pimping my product in the forum, because I am not. But, I am also doing some PM conversations that are bringing about some good information.


Have you seen this guy over in Ireland that is making the while kit of accessories and a sheath?

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43478

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38826

Pretty brilliant, the most brilliant part being that is so accessible, makes it easy for a guy to see how he could use it.

Good to talk with you.

Marion

 

[Kiah]

I agree. I can see that you see where I am going.

Aye. Moras lend themselves to simplicity by their design. Sheathing a 510 or 2000 and watching it click in makes me smile. I'm weird though.

I don't think I have come up with much that is revolutionary, but I am hoping to fit a niche. And I certainly don't want to cut corners, more find the sweet spot, and figure out what the important features are to the average outdoors/bushcraft user.

Didn't mean to imply that like it sounded. I had just read the first bit of another thread on the subject discussing rough finishing as a price reducer and "cut corners" was on my mind from that.

Have you seen this guy over in Ireland that is making the while kit of accessories and a sheath?

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43478

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38826

Pretty brilliant, the most brilliant part being that is so accessible, makes it easy for a guy to see how he could use it.

I had not. Oddly, I don't spend much time online outside of BFC. I should cyber get out more.

Looks pretty neat. I've had a lot of ideas along the same vein recently, though more on a modular, add as you need it, basis. The new site (the attachment/accessories pages) reflect this and if I ever get the bugs worked out of the shopping cart system to get it live, will be a lot of headache lifted from me explaining options and letting people pretty much accessorize onsite and in the future. So I think a lot of us have tapped into the same wavelength.

Good to talk with you.

Marion

Always good to talk with you bro. Did you ever get ahold of that TL you were looking for?

 

[Tinbasher]

My kydex press is a carpenters vice, attached two aluminium plates and lined it with soft rubber.

Richard

 

[Marion David Poff]

My kydex press is a carpenters vice, attached two aluminium plats and lined it with soft rubber.

Richard

I hear it, the knowledge is more important than the tools, that is for certain.

Marion

 

[ROCK6]

The beauty of kydex/concealex, is that you can invest in a decent sheath and have two or three Mora's as replacements if you wear the knife out, damage it or lose it...perfect for kids

I think the best starting point is must a basic sheath with grommets. Add-on accessories such as a Blade-Tech belt clip and fire-steel loops can be upgraded as needed by the end user. Also, if the sheath has the retention it needs, you could add 550-cord to serve as a neck sheath or MercHarness-styled carry; simple 550-cord belt loops could carry in vertically or horizontally on the belt or shoulder strap as well and a IWB loop could be quickly be made to carry it inside the pants for secure/less visible carry.

As is, the kydex sheath serves as the perfect slip sheath for bag-kits.

OT, I need to shoot you my RTAK pretty soon Marion...

ROCK6

 

[cmdionne]

I don't really mind paying more for some good kydex than for the knife that rides in it. I've got a kydex sheath for a Mora2K and that cost more than the knife (got some fancy extras on the sheath though).

Been thinking about getting one for the clipper, as there are several different models of the clipper, carbon, stainless, serrated etc. and the sheath would work for all of them. If the price was kept under 30 dollars I wouldn't be all that turned off by the cost.

 

[kgd]

I guess the first thing of importance is to have the sheath maker be able to make the sheath without the client shipping the knife. When you are talking a $30 sheath and mailing cost of the knife in the first place, now you have $40 for a $15 knife. So, I think having the option of form fitted sheath for a limited number of models that the maker has in stock is a good option.

Like Rock6, I kind of partial to sheaths that have rivets on both sides of the blade. This gives more lashing options. In fact, taking a cue from RatCutlery, using the rivets to thread paracord as your belt loops is a great cost saving set up. Its a bit of a hard sell to a lot of folks who haven't tried it, but I find that the paracord belt loops are a better system then bolted down kydex ones. They keep the blade tighter to the body and they cut down on bulk of the knife/sheath when stowing the blade in a backpack pocket (nothing to hang up on).

 

[cmdionne]

Like Rock6, I kind of partial to sheaths that have rivets on both sides of the blade.

I also forgot to mention this, but I also prefer sheaths of this type.

 

[Kiah]

In fact, taking a cue from RatCutlery, using the rivets to thread paracord as your belt loops is a great cost saving set up. Its a bit of a hard sell to a lot of folks who haven't tried it, but I find that the paracord belt loops are a better system then bolted down kydex ones. They keep the blade tighter to the body and they cut down on bulk of the knife/sheath when stowing the blade in a backpack pocket (nothing to hang up on).

This is how I feel. I'm always asked about how I carry, and even after I tell them that I carry with paracord or webbing loops and despise standard carry methods, buyers always choose to go with a Tek-Lok or Kydex loop.

I can carry in any way I want with a few cents worth of paracord and switching positions is as simple as can be.

 

[Marion David Poff]

The beauty of kydex/concealex, is that you can invest in a decent sheath and have two or three Mora's as replacements if you wear the knife out, damage it or lose it...perfect for kids

I agree, I think it is an investment. If you are just going to throw the knife away, or trade it away, or never use and let it sit in a safe, then whatever it came with is fine.

But, if you are going to use it, then the quality of the sheath really matters. And if you know that you will use a certain knife seriously, then it is smart to make a small investment in a good sheath. And I think I have figured out how to make that cost effective.

I think the best starting point is must a basic sheath with grommets. Add-on accessories such as a Blade-Tech belt clip and fire-steel loops can be upgraded as needed by the end user. Also, if the sheath has the retention it needs, you could add 550-cord to serve as a neck sheath or MercHarness-styled carry; simple 550-cord belt loops could carry in vertically or horizontally on the belt or shoulder strap as well and a IWB loop could be quickly be made to carry it inside the pants for secure/less visible carry.

I agree. I think I have figured out a FireSteel holder I like, and if the person wants to use the Going Gear Super Striker I think they will like the set up.

And I very much agree about paracord.... A short length of it makes for a multitude of carry options.

OT, I need to shoot you my RTAK pretty soon Marion... ROCK6

You let me know, whenever it is good for you.

I don't really mind paying more for some good kydex than for the knife that rides in it. I've got a kydex sheath for a Mora2K and that cost more than the knife (got some fancy extras on the sheath though).

Been thinking about getting one for the clipper, as there are several different models of the clipper, carbon, stainless, serrated etc. and the sheath would work for all of them. If the price was kept under 30 dollars I wouldn't be all that turned off by the cost.

Email/PM me.

I guess the first thing of importance is to have the sheath maker be able to make the sheath without the client shipping the knife. When you are talking a $30 sheath and mailing cost of the knife in the first place, now you have $40 for a $15 knife. So, I think having the option of form fitted sheath for a limited number of models that the maker has in stock is a good option.

Exactly, good point. But since the Clipper is so common, that is pretty easy to do.

Like Rock6, I kind of partial to sheaths that have rivets on both sides of the blade. This gives more lashing options. In fact, taking a cue from RatCutlery, using the rivets to thread paracord as your belt loops is a great cost saving set up. Its a bit of a hard sell to a lot of folks who haven't tried it, but I find that the paracord belt loops are a better system then bolted down kydex ones. They keep the blade tighter to the body and they cut down on bulk of the knife/sheath when stowing the blade in a backpack pocket (nothing to hang up on).

I very much agree, about having rivets on both sides. Gives many more options.

And the belt clips do get in the way.

I also forgot to mention this, but I also prefer sheaths of this type.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

This is how I feel. I'm always asked about how I carry, and even after I tell them that I carry with paracord or webbing loops and despise standard carry methods, buyers always choose to go with a Tek-Lok or Kydex loop.

I can carry in any way I want with a few cents worth of paracord and switching positions is as simple as can be.

True that. I carry in the pocket, or just slip it into my waist band, and add a static line, only if I will be doing something radical.



Good Stuff.

Marion