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Knife carry.
- Thread starter tonym
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That's what I think :thumbup: I wanted the durability and stability of kydex with the class, look, and feel of leather. So far, Martin's innovations seem like the best solution! You still need to maintain the leather if you want to keep it looking good, but you don't have to worry about loosing the fit over time or in extreme conditions. I'm a big fan of Martin Swinkels; I'm sure I'll have more work for him in the future :thumbup:
First two pics are from Martin:
Gene's sheath looks even better than mine! :thumbup: I think I was Martin's first Bravo-1.
ETA: Tonym, I am drooling all over my keyboard. Your blue HWK with matching firesteel in that sheath....simply WOW.
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Hey GS (tony),
I guess I'm different than most. I won't wear a FB on my belt (Lord knows it's hard pressed enough to hold up my pants
). I find that in a canoe, a belt mounted sheath is a PITA, also in the lawn chair around the fire. So, if it's a relatively large knife, like my Machax, I wear it on a Baldric. If it is a smaller FB like my Bravo-1 or my RC3, I wear it on a cross belt (like a Baldric) but the knife is mid-chest with the handle down on a 45 degree angle, if you can picture what I'm saying. I find this very convenient to wear and use.
As far as leather vs kydex, I like them both. Most of the time I prefer leather, but the kydex for my RC-3 is superb. But, once again, to each their own.
GP
I guess I'm different than most. I won't wear a FB on my belt (Lord knows it's hard pressed enough to hold up my pants
). I find that in a canoe, a belt mounted sheath is a PITA, also in the lawn chair around the fire. So, if it's a relatively large knife, like my Machax, I wear it on a Baldric. If it is a smaller FB like my Bravo-1 or my RC3, I wear it on a cross belt (like a Baldric) but the knife is mid-chest with the handle down on a 45 degree angle, if you can picture what I'm saying. I find this very convenient to wear and use.As far as leather vs kydex, I like them both. Most of the time I prefer leather, but the kydex for my RC-3 is superb. But, once again, to each their own.
GP
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
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- 7,035
For the most part, I prefer leather. Properly treated, it handles moisture just fine (I like Neatsfoot oil).
However, I've found kydex to be an asset on small knives. But, I like pancake style sheaths for rigging options. I don't like Tek-Loks, so I rig with paracord likso, on a Busse BAD:
However, I've found kydex to be an asset on small knives. But, I like pancake style sheaths for rigging options. I don't like Tek-Loks, so I rig with paracord likso, on a Busse BAD:
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- Mar 18, 1999
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That sheath and steel from DJJ really compliments the HWK, very nice. For some reason I usually put my sheath knife on my pack, either on the strap or strapped to the side. Belt sheaths just aren't too comfortable with a backpack on. But once I get to camp, or if I am just exploring around, I will wear it on my belt.
I really like the look and feel of a well made leather sheath. I like the ones that Nick makes where the blade snaps in like Kydex and is rock solid. Well done Kydex is nice too. I guess the key is "well made" no matter what type of sheath it is.
Rob Simonich made sheaths that were Kydex under leather that were the best of both worlds.
I really like the look and feel of a well made leather sheath. I like the ones that Nick makes where the blade snaps in like Kydex and is rock solid. Well done Kydex is nice too. I guess the key is "well made" no matter what type of sheath it is.
Rob Simonich made sheaths that were Kydex under leather that were the best of both worlds.
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- Mar 8, 2007
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- 554
Here's a leather sheath that Martin Swinkels made for my F1. I wanted an option that allowed for horizontal or vertical carry. He provided me with a great solution which is comfortable in either mode. On the inside, there is an integrated piece of kydex sheathing, like some of the previous posters have illustrated, which allows the knife to lock firmly into place. I have waded through salt mangroves with it and once had it completely immersed with no problems. A quick fresh water rinse and all was right with the world.
Images taken by Martin Swinkels.
Images taken by Martin Swinkels.
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Hey GS (tony),
I guess I'm different than most. I won't wear a FB on my belt (Lord knows it's hard pressed enough to hold up my pants
As far as leather vs kydex, I like them both. Most of the time I prefer leather, but the kydex for my RC-3 is superb. But, once again, to each their own.
GP
I think I understand what you mean. My rc-3 is the knife I take when I am fishing. So when sitting in my boat it is easily accessible.
Like this.
Sh%t, maybe we are related
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Yep, that's pretty much it, except it is on a belt not 550.
Doc
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Given a choice I'd nearly always pick leather. It's not so much that I dislike kydex itself as I dislike how most of the kydex sheaths are made. I want the top of the knife handle no higher than the top of my belt and preferably lower than that.
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- Feb 28, 2006
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- 4,012
Undoubtedly the ugliest sheath I've ever had has been the best for the way I carry, and that was the grim plastic thing that came with my F1. I have two methods of carrying a fixed blade about my person: 1] A baldric that puts it on my weak side flank, 2] In a pocket. That F1 sheath was ideal for that. Nothing required was missing and no extra frippery or protuberance was there to detract from what it needed to be doing. I found it yet another case in which the most parsimonious of designs were also the most workmanlike. Whilst one could consider that parsimony a meanness in the sense that it was a cheapo pig ugly bit of synthetic molding I retain a more optimistic slant. It was miserly in the context that it gave nothing away in achieving its objectives. It was all businesslike.
Kydex and Concealex have considerable appeal to me. I like all the good things about synthetics when it come to real world use. I do marvel at some of the implementations though. Most notably the over sized welt has no attraction whatsoever. It's bad enough in some fold over offerings. I think that someone somewhere developed a set of rivets, bolts, and eyelets that have become standard off the shelf parts [like they all buy at Knifekits or something] and they are ubiquitous. That's an absurdity to me. I know that in some rigs there would be advantages to a sheath that has good size lashing points .etc, but they all seem to come like that. Is that really necessary, I don't think so. One of the great redeeming features about the ugly molding of the F1 sheath is there is none of that crap. When you compare that F1 sheath to some pancake sheaths built to hold something the size of an F1 the welt makes some of them almost twice the width. That's an appalling waste of space when you carry as I do. It amuses me that nobody has gone original with a solution to this, it's all same meat different gravy. Surely it can't be beyond the wit of man to devise a more compact form of bond. If I renew interest in making one I'll certainly be playing with industrial adhesives and smaller metal parts and not the generic also ran parts.
At the moment I happen to be using leather. I don't object on a small fixed blade. It's quiet, by chance doesn't have bits that poke in me, and does the job. It's not fancy, that would make about as much sense to me as a riggers belt in a delightful gingham print canvas. It just works. And 'till I can magically have brilliantly functional parsimonious moldings like the F1 sheath appear before my very eyes for any knife of my choosing that's what I've settled for at the moment.
Kydex and Concealex have considerable appeal to me. I like all the good things about synthetics when it come to real world use. I do marvel at some of the implementations though. Most notably the over sized welt has no attraction whatsoever. It's bad enough in some fold over offerings. I think that someone somewhere developed a set of rivets, bolts, and eyelets that have become standard off the shelf parts [like they all buy at Knifekits or something] and they are ubiquitous. That's an absurdity to me. I know that in some rigs there would be advantages to a sheath that has good size lashing points .etc, but they all seem to come like that. Is that really necessary, I don't think so. One of the great redeeming features about the ugly molding of the F1 sheath is there is none of that crap. When you compare that F1 sheath to some pancake sheaths built to hold something the size of an F1 the welt makes some of them almost twice the width. That's an appalling waste of space when you carry as I do. It amuses me that nobody has gone original with a solution to this, it's all same meat different gravy. Surely it can't be beyond the wit of man to devise a more compact form of bond. If I renew interest in making one I'll certainly be playing with industrial adhesives and smaller metal parts and not the generic also ran parts.
At the moment I happen to be using leather. I don't object on a small fixed blade. It's quiet, by chance doesn't have bits that poke in me, and does the job. It's not fancy, that would make about as much sense to me as a riggers belt in a delightful gingham print canvas. It just works. And 'till I can magically have brilliantly functional parsimonious moldings like the F1 sheath appear before my very eyes for any knife of my choosing that's what I've settled for at the moment.
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- 3,504
I'm aleather man also Bryan Breeden makes a nice leather sheath. He made this multi-carry sheath for my Breeden HLK -
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He also made me this Combo sheath for my Breeden PeaceMaker & HLK
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Bryan Breeden makes a nice leather sheath. He made this multi-carry sheath for my Breeden HLK -
He also made me this Combo sheath for my Breeden PeaceMaker & HLK
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- Dec 14, 2007
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I like both leather & kydex. *shrug*
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This has become a favorite carry method for my fixed EDC. Carries just like a wallet.
Scott
Scott
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I love the look, feel and smell of a fine leather sheath.
I also love the trouble-free durability of a Kydex sheath. A lot of guys hate TekLoks, but I like the ability to remove the sheath/knife without taking my belt part way off. The only thing that really bugs me about Kydex is how tough it can be on a blade finish, especially if some dirt or grit gets inside.
I guess my favorite sheaths are high-ride Kydex with TekLoks. That is, until I put on a backpack and the sheath is in the wrong spot: right where the pack's waist belt needs to be. Then, it's time for a drop loop....
Stay sharp,
desmobob
I also love the trouble-free durability of a Kydex sheath. A lot of guys hate TekLoks, but I like the ability to remove the sheath/knife without taking my belt part way off. The only thing that really bugs me about Kydex is how tough it can be on a blade finish, especially if some dirt or grit gets inside.
I guess my favorite sheaths are high-ride Kydex with TekLoks. That is, until I put on a backpack and the sheath is in the wrong spot: right where the pack's waist belt needs to be. Then, it's time for a drop loop....
Stay sharp,
desmobob