Kydex/Concealex: Is there a difference?

[Stiletto Raggio]

Is there a difference in performance between Kydex and Concealex or are they just the same things with different names?

 

[RenFieLd]

I posted this question in the general forum just a week ago. Do a search on Kydex-Concealex question.
Andrew

 

[Stiletto Raggio]

Search didn't turn up anything. What is going on?

 

[Normark]

SR...

There are some slight differences. Most which the end user wouldn't notice,, other than appearence...

It works slightly different...

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 

[Marion David Poff]

Well, Concealex seems a bit stiffer than Kydex. Translating to a better hold on your knife.

C. is available in a darker black color.

C. is favored by a number of sheath makers.

It is no worse than Kydex, and a number of those I respect prefer Concealex, so Concealex it is, for me.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Resolution By Division(c) Innovative Cutlery Solutions
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/rbd.html

Allen Blade Custom Knives
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff/allenblade.html

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.

 

[Chiro75]

In light of the fact that this question keeps appearing here over and over and over again, I have decided to construct an FAQ on the subject. You can find it by going to my webpage below, and click on the frame that says "Kydex FAQ". I compare and contrast Kydex and Concealex.

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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.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

 

[Ben E Hana]

Thank you Chiro!This answers a few lingering concealex questions I had.
troy

 

[RadarMan]

If you can manage, get an MSDS sheet on Concealex and compare it to an MSDS sheet on Kydex. This method would give an in the weeds type comparison.
I have found that Concealex and Kydex seem to have some differances seemingly to be for or against either product. The differances seem to be so subtle that end users generally do not notice. The fact that Concealex is "blacker" is subjet to its environment and is most noticeable next Kydex itself. Builders tend to be the only ones to beable to notice any "number" of differances in these products.
And lest if forget, Concealex is spelled differant than Kydex

 

[Chris Hatin]

Concealex comes with printed patterns, such as camo and Carbon Fiber. But for the most part, normark was right - they work a little differently. Both make fantastic sheaths.

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Chris Hatin

http://www.hatintec.com

"Are you ready for the defendant, Judge?"
"Yup. Bring the guilty bastard in."

 

[nurek]

Chiro,
I would like to experiment with Kydex/Concealex, but Blade-Tech sell only pretty large quantity, and Concealex only.
Do you know any other sources?

nurek

 

[dogboye]

Originally posted by nurek:
Chiro,
I would like to experiment with Kydex/Concealex, but Blade-Tech sell only pretty large quantity, and Concealex only.
Do you know any other sources?

Yeah, what nurek said; me too.

Actually, nurek, I had discussed this a little with Chiro75 via email a few days ago. He mentioned, I think, asking Blade-Teck to just send you a sample, for a smaller amount of money of course. Another option is their carbon fiber concealex (IIRC). It is quite a bit more expensive per square inch, but is listed in much smaller amounts. So, for just experimenting, if you can't get them to send you a small amount of the standard kydex or concealex, you <u>could</u> get the carbon fiber concealex. Just a thought, that I might pursue myself.

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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."

 

[Normark]

Hey Guys...


Blade-tech Does sell Concealex in small quantity 24" X 24" panels is small quantity.
It's a little more expensive that way,,but it will get you started anyhoo..

ttyle Eric...

------------------
Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 

[dogboye]

Originally posted by Normark:
Blade-tech Does sell Concealex in small quantity 24" X 24" panels is small quantity.
It's a little more expensive that way,,but it will get you started anyhoo..

DANG! Someone beat me to a post AGAIN today! That makes several times!!

Anyway, I just came back to post that I just got off the phone with Blade Tech, and they do exactly what Eric said. I ordered 2 sheets of 24x24 black, and it ended up costing 0.7 cents per square inch, versus 0.1 cents per square inch if you order the same stuff in a 48x96 sheet. So yeah, more expensive, but a smaller cost to just get started.

Thanks anyway, Eric.

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"Absolute safety is for those who don't have the balls to live in the real world."

 

[Normark]

Hey Rock...

LOL...

Good bunch of people over there....
Lets call the 24X24's panels, and save on some confusion..

You'll have fun working with it,,it's a fantastic material.

ttyle Eric....

------------------
Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 

[Ben E Hana]

I would like to start this reply by saying thanks to Chiro,Normark,Chris Hatin and a few others for freely sharing their knowledge about sheathmaking.I got interested just before Christmas from a thread started by Bruce Bump in the shop tips forum called "I need kydex help" or something like that.Anyone remember that one?I wanted to make a cross draw sheath for my Livesay company knife.That was my goal.Thanks to all the info you guys provided I was able to make a perfect sheath first try.I still cant believe how well it went.Concealex is a really interesting material to work with.I learned so much from you.If you ever need any tips on how to make orthodontic appliances feel free to ask I'll be as generous with my shop tips as you were with yours.

troy webber
webber ortho works
normal,illinois

 

[nurek]

...or you desperately wont to know how to make a pair of reading glasses...

nurek AKA optician

 

[nurek]

...or you desperately wont to know how to make a pair of reading glasses...

nurek AKA optician