Kydex/ Leather/ Tek-Lok combo ( only drama here is in the photos)

Rick Lowe

Rick Lowe

Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
1,331
Just wanted to post some photos of a leather/kydex sheath incorporating a Tek-Lok for the carry option. It has a kydex liner form fitted to the Bushfinger with a medium leather outer. The Tek-Lok is fastened to the leather strap and can be used either as a true horizontal carry or vertical carry. This style does not allow adding different blade profiles, but will be less expensive than my other kydex/leather combo. This was made for a customer who plans to carry on a pack, so I've used the larger Tek-Lok which has room for a 2" strap or belt. For smaller profiles the smaller Tek-Lok ( 1 1/2") would work very well. I make my living with leather, but find that kydex does have a place in the knife sheath and holster world. Very secure carry, light weight, super easy to keep clean and pretty indestructible. Down side includes the potential for minor scratches on a blade due to the tight form fit. The leather gives a more traditional look, softens the bare kydex, and offers easy optional attachments.
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Really nice sheath Rick! I will take leather over kydex 8 out of 10 times but as you said I do feel kydex has a place. I do prefer to use kydex for my hunting knives where blood etc... can come into contact with the sheath. I'm not always in a position the totally clean a knife before re-inserting. I like that I can rinse and disinfect kydex.

That said I would never put a natural handled blade in kydex. I will always choose leather. I prefer the look of leather as well. That is a great combo sheath and I see a lot of opportunities for that set up.
 
For hunting and fishing that kydex liner lets you put a messy blade back in for carry and not worry about it until later. Clean up is just hot soapy water and a blow dry. I love the leather, this style is just a way to incorporate the assets of the two mediums.
 
I'll echo what Dave said so well. That is a great looking sheath that nicely marries the practicality of kydex and a Tek-Lok with the warm beauty of leather. Well done Rick!

Phil

MajorD said:
Really nice sheath Rick! I will take leather over kydex 8 out of 10 times but as you said I do feel kydex has a place. I do prefer to use kydex for my hunting knives where blood etc... can come into contact with the sheath. I'm not always in a position the totally clean a knife before re-inserting. I like that I can rinse and disinfect kydex.

That said I would never put a natural handled blade in kydex. I will always choose leather. I prefer the look of leather as well. That is a great combo sheath and I see a lot of opportunities for that set up.
Click to expand...
 
Nicely done. Is this the same as your past hybrid sheaths where similar sized blade profiles can have several kydek liners to go with a single leather shell?
 
Thanks guys!
This one is different than my other kydex/leather in that it doesn't allow inter changing blade profiles. The leather outer is attached directly to the kydex. My reasoning for this is to keep the price structure lower. It takes around 3 more hours to make the form fitting leather outer for the multi liner model, plus time and material for the different carry options. This is geared more for the knife that's the dedicated hard user.
 
That is a cool set up! Nice work as always Rick!
 
That looks really sharp! What will the price point be for these? And will there be any future blade profiles available? Specifically the Bushcrafter.
 
Great looking setup! I like the leather over kydex sheathes, like the one you modified for me.
 
Price for this model is going to be $85 as shown in the photos. A firesteel loop, small pocket, etc. would be extra. I can do this type of sheath for any model, but the one point is, I do have to have the particular knife in hand to form the kydex. Andy's blade profiles are not the issue, it's the start of the handle material that can be enough different to require real custom fit. Think about a "fatter" handle opposed to a "skinny" one. Nothing wrong with either and a great feature for the knives, but the fat one won't fit in the skinny one's kydex and visa versa. I'd really like to fit up a couple of the production run knives because I suspect they might interchange.
 
Great rig right there Rick. I am a leather guy all the way but this one I would consider...
 
Very nice! I have a Garrett Industries holster for my 1911 that is the opposite... Leather lined Kydex to protect the finish. Well done!
 
When I first called Rick, I told him I wanted to hand a knife on my backpack, something I can get to quick on the trail. I asked him to make something the knife would not fall out of, even it were to hang upside down. This is Rick's creative answer. Rick, you are the man! Absolutely awesome! Thank you!!!!!!!!

Will
 
That looks great Rick. I was just playing with some hybrid kydex/leather sheaths at the RMJ shop the other day. Ryan is like me in liking the retention of kydex but the quietness and class of leather. He's come up with some pretty cool systems that are giving me ideas.
 
I'm open for orders now. My turn around time for this one will be 4-5 days from receiving the knife to return shipping. Like Andy and his crew, I'm almost busier than I need to be. It's a good thing, but I do want guys to know there will be a little longer turn time. Best way to communicate is through email at: ruger315@charter.net
 
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