Just a couple more Kydex questions, please.

S

samwereb

Joined
Aug 3, 1999
Messages
441
I searched through past threads and got a pretty good orientation of Kydex from the Boyer site, and from Chiro75 's site. Some questions remain, however:

1. What the hell is a "heat gun," and where can I get one?

2. Why sould molding NOT be done in an oven? It seems like it would be okay.

3. When folded (molded) over and pinned together in some fashion, can the edge then also be SEALED in some way as to make the sheath truly waterproof for a fillet knife application? Would epoxy suffice? (I am specifically concerned about long term exposure of high-carbon steel to saltwater, being that just about everyone leaves his fillet knife in his boat.)

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!
[This message has been edited by samwereb (edited 18 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by samwereb (edited 18 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by samwereb (edited 18 November 1999).]
 
Hi Sam,

A heat gun looks like a heavy duty hair drier except it gets one heck of a lot hotter. You can get them at most any lumber yard as they are used most frequently to strip paint off wood.

I think they are more desirable than an oven because you can put the heat where you want it when you want it. Gives you more control over the molding process. (Does this make me a control freak??)

I've not tried it yet but I understand you can glue kydex with PVC cement. I don't believe epoxy will adhere to kydex.

Hope this helps. Chiro75 will probably have better info on this.

GaryB
 
I believe heating the synthetic in an oven is the best way to go. I am sure you have read enough about oven temps. If we can help.
I use a heat gun to "tweak" the final product for the best lock up or for shaping.

You can glue the kydex ( a pvc plastic) together using Oatey PVC cement. The orange can has worked best for me. You may try the purple primer first so that you get the best results. The ultimate seal on kydex would be to use a weld of some kind but is usally cost prohibitive. Also, kydex can be injection molded with the end product having all of the same properties of sheet kydex, again quite costly.
The closest you will probalby get is to do a fold over sheath and seal the fold with PVC cement. Make sure to have a good clean bond.



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>)-RadarMan-(<
age:38
When you argue with a fool, that makes two -- Vermont Proverb
Click to expand...


 
You guys did a good job of answering all questions, but I am taking a different interpretation on Question 2. What it sounds like to me is Samwereb is asking why the knife shouldn't be molded to the material while both are in the oven? The results would be disatrous to the knife, affecting the handle material, epoxy, and possibly even heat treat, if that is in fact what you are asking.
As far as trying to make a completely sealed sheath for a fishing knife, I would hesitate. First thing is that you are not going to get a seal at the mouth of the sheath which will prevent water from getting inside. Secondly, when you do get moisture into the sheath, you're going to want it to be able to evaporate efficiently, so having a vent hole or two would be helpful. Also, and this is a pure design idea of mine that not everyone agrees with (right RadarMan?
wink.gif
), hunting knives, filet knives included, that are used for their purpose will be exposed to blood and guts and are often times resheathed this way. To minimize contamination of food and health, you'll want to clean the sheath throroughly and frequently. The only way to do this with a sealed sheath (one that is glued or eyeletted or rivetted) is to have an inlet for water and an outlet so you can run water through it. The better way, IMHO, is to make the sheath with screws and you can open the sheath or even dismantle it into two separate sections to really get it thoroughly washed out. Such a design, though, doesn't come close to making a watertight sheath, howeve, but then again I think that is an impossibility, anyway, with synthetics. Any arguments?

------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/kydex.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Chiro..

I agree with what you are saying...
I put a drain hole into everything I make..
It lets the liquids flow out nicely..

Your idea of a screwed togther sheath is interesting though...

Do you have a picture of this so called complicated sheath ??
Be interested in seeing it!

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel


 
Normark, the sheath that is so complicated is the new one that accompanies the Benchmade Nimravus Cub. I wish I could post a pic of it, but I don't have a scanner. Basically it is a piece of CF Concealex folded over as a pouch sheath. There is then Kydex folded over that with big cut-outs that expose the CF pattern underneath. I think the inspiration of this design comes from the pistol sheaths that use ballistic nylon with a hard plastic frame of sorts. Anyway, there is a belt loop that has a lon extension which fits under the Kydex frame and bolts in one place, at the point end of the sheath. This loop also has a nylon retaining strap to hold the handle. It's very nicely made, but just seems overly complex.

------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/kydex.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Chiro75,
I have not seen the Cub sheath (or atleast cannot recall it). I looked around for pics but came up blank.
I can say the complex is daunting when having to make ones, twos, and prototype. This is generally due more to dealing with the creative process than the actual complexity of the product.
Once the prototype is finished and approved, the necassary tools can be made to make the complex less so. At that point the creativity task is closed and the process takes over. having acheived the process it becomes a matter of quality control.... this is really the harder part of the game.

------------------
>)-RadarMan-(<
age:38
When you argue with a fool, that makes two -- Vermont Proverb
Click to expand...


 
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