Knife carry.

tonym

tonym

Joined
Mar 18, 2008
Messages
9,491
I am sure I am not the only one that has a knife that performs great and is super comfortable to use, but some how doesn't make it out on your person much. For me the reason is the sheath. It may not hold the knife secure, rides high, or just too bulky.

I know alot of guys like kydex, but I hate teck locks, and just do not like the way the hard plastic feels on my hip. I think it works great for neck knives and for straping knives to packs, but for a belt knife I much prefer leather.

Am I missing something about the benefits of kydex?

Whats your prefernce and why?

Oh just for the helluvit here is a pick of a sheath I had made for my Laconico HWK. It was made by DJJ. He is a great knife maker and also makes really nice functional leather as well. He even made me a matching firesteel.:thumbup: These are the pics he sent me today. I can't wait to get it!

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Thanks for looking, and I look forward to your oppinions on the subject.
 
For me Tony, it's all about finding the right sheath. To be honest, one of the best I've used over the past 10 years is the simple folded belt-loop Kydex sheath for my Mad Dog Pygmy ATAK.

LMKit2.jpg


It rides a little high, but the handle doesn't jab into me. I've worn this baby every day at work, three different deployments, more field exercises than I can recall, jumped/landed (out of various aircraft/helo's) with it, humped a ruck with it, traveled in confined transportation with full up armor with it...it's been a real companion for work.

Now, with that said, when I'm outdoors for my own pleasure, I actually prefer leather. Of the great things about Kydex though is the no-look resheathing ability.

I will admit though that a good Kydex sheath is like a good running shoe...you really need to find the right fit in order to use it comfortably. If it's not comfortable, you won't be using it and that includes the knife as well.

ROCK6
 
Wow, I love that Laconico. Very nice.

I am also not a big fan of Kydex-only sheaths, though I see their benefits when it comes to weatherproofing and durability. A wet, snow-filled Kydex sheath is just a rinse away from being good as new, whereas a leather sheath in the same circumstances might be damaged or distorted.

But leather is definitely more comfortable to have at the waist or in a pocket. And I love the look, smell, sound, and feel of nicely-worked leather. My EDC resides in a nice little leather pocket sheath.

My sheath of choice for serious outings is a nylon survival sheath with kydex insert. It is comfortable and durable, though not as pleasant on the eyes as a leather sheath.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Right on Rock! In your line of work I can definately see the advantages of Kydex:thumbup:

I like the thin profile of that sheath you posted:thumbup:
 
I generally prefer leather. It wears well and sort of 'breaks in' to your carry.
 
I prefer leather, yet the couple of knives I own with kydex are go-to knives. I carry my Laconico project W everyday in my front pocket! Works well and has a slim profile.
 
man. that's a great looking knife and sheath...:eek:

i prefer leather (of course) for my woods blades.. i like the traditional and simple aspect of a good/solid leather sheath... no to mention the fact that i make them..
i also do like to have the option of kydex... i think that kydex sheaths have come a long way in the past few years... there are some really good kydex sheath makers out there, quite a few here on BF as well...

some of my most recent sheaths...:D

IMG_4098.jpg
 
Just can't get myself to like Kydex. It's okay if you're strapping your knife to your pack, but I almost never do that anyway. The knife goes on my belt, where it's supposed to be. A solid, simple foldover sheath is perfect for me.
 
Tony,
That Lanconico and firesteel look great with the sheath.

My bigest problem is having enough time and places to carry any knife with a blade over 4"
If I can't put it in my pocket then It is too big to flash around at the local park.
My more extended outings have been too few and far between in the past several weeks.
 
leather is classic cool..it's comfotable, and for me at least seems less tactical and "ramboish" that being said I have and use my share of kydex sheaths..but if I could replace them all woth leather I would...For those whose activites require tactical applications I can see the advantage of kydex.
 
I haven't had anyone make me a custon sheath. Ray made this one for my HWK so no need to go anywhere else. Best sheath of any knife I've bought. He really pays attention to the small details.

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Mentor said:
My sheath of choice for serious outings is a nylon survival sheath with kydex insert. It is comfortable and durable, though not as pleasant on the eyes as a leather sheath.

All the best,

- Mike
Click to expand...

Mentor, great point on the weather factor.

I totally forgot to about those survival sheaths. I am sure they work great for ruff use in nasty weather. Thanks for posting.




Damn Mike:eek: Your Leather work is great looking.:thumbup:
 
Leather Rules, …But I also appreciate Kydex.


The key is that it has to fit the knife just right,

…I won’t tolerate a poor fitting sheath on any of my field knives,

…that’s just an accident waiting to happen.


I also like these new sheaths from Sharpshooter Sheath Systems; EEP leather (Extreme Environment Protection), the process makes the leather waterproof and virtually impervious to contaminents; from hot to dry to wet environments, the leather takes it all in stride.

EEP Link



"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
 
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for me its kydex ..i make my own fit it for tex loc ,a J hook for IWB carry ,and straps for dropleg carry. i get wet offten so i ver away from leather cause of moisture. leather is the most beaut. but kydex takes water and rocks a little better IMO.
 
tonym said:
Right on Rock! In your line of work I can definately see the advantages of Kydex:thumbup:

I like the thin profile of that sheath you posted:thumbup:
Click to expand...

The problem I've found with Kydex unfortunately is that (depending on the sheath type), folded Kydex does crack. This is my second sheath from Mad Dog and I need to send this one back as well as it's developed another crack and I'm using 100mph tape to keep the sheath retension. Well cared for leather I think would last a lot longer. I'm really digging those kydex/leather hybrids from Martin Swinkle...that seems the best of both worlds.

ROCK6
 
ROCK6 said:
I'm really digging those kydex/leather hybrids from Martin Swinkle...that seems the best of both worlds.

ROCK6
Click to expand...

Man I got to check out Gunknifenut's Swinkle sheaths..... They are outstanding! One of theses days.......
 
well, first off, nice score on that sheath. but in regards to the original post, i definatly see what you mean. i am also not a kydex guy. i try to "go natural" with mountain man style gear, and kydex dosent really go with that. leather has been time teseted, whereas kydex is still getting the bugs worked out ( in my opinion). i just go for your standard set up as far as sheaths. typical horizontal carry on my right side. pouch style sheaths seem to be the best in my expirience. i also carry larger knives on a baldric; it is much more comfortable that way.
 
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