- Joined
- Jan 20, 2012
- Messages
- 2,278
I decided I would try my luck at making some kydex sheaths for my blades (last November
) I scrounged up enough money from birthday money and an Amazon gift card to get some materials and a few tools I would need---I tried using a toaster oven I bought at goodwill but it didnt have a temperature setting it on and the thermostat on it must have been broken because it never shut itself off.....so I melted the kydex and the thing almost caught on fire----The house stunk like melted plastic for a few days ---I then tried the oven and over heated the kydex yet again---it didnt stink so bad this time but still pretty bad---so the wife put an end to my indoor sheath making--I picked up a heat gun and tried to make some in the garage---it was way too cold--I couldnt heat the kydex up enough to get a good mold without over heating it---the cold would make it set up before I got it in the press----so I had to put my efforts on hold before I ruined my whole batch---I was pretty discouraged by this time--I tried again a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised that I didnt completely suck at it. I have made a total of 3.5 sheaths (you'll understand later)--I think they are getting better but I am still learning-I think the most difficult part is trying to find that happy medium of retention-somewhere between having it fall out when you turn it upside down and having to put the sheath between your boots and pulling with 2 hands to get it to release-I still am trying to figure out a decent belt carry system-thats where I think the true artistry comes in (azwelke, 710 and godspeed....I dont know how you do it)--I welcome any and all comments...especially from all you amazing kydex benders on BFC. (Take it easy on me
)--As far as my leather working skills go.....I have none, so please no comments on that
Sheath #1---I made this for a friend's Gerber Prodigy---I used my own Prodigy to make it but then traded before I took a pic of it with the sheath (duh)---The flair from the bolster/guard made it difficult to put on a belt attachment that made the knife stay vertical on the belt--I ended up making some sort of angled clip, then attached some leather to it----very very crude but functional---
Sheath #2--I made this for another friends Mora Robust--I think this turned out a little better--he didnt want a belt attachment--so I spaced the rivets to fit a tek-lok----I want one of those thicker Moras--I love the way it feels and cuts.
Sheath #3--I recently picked up a Nessmuk from Larson Forge and Finish--it came naked---My dad saw it and loved it--I figured since he only has one fixed blade and has been using it for 40 years, (and I wanted it to put in my collection---its an old school made in usa Schrade that belonged to my deceased uncle) I would gift this one to him and get another one eventually (I would have given him my bk16 but he liked the nessmuk style blade more for skinning---hes not into camping or anything..just hunting)--I couldnt give him a naked knife so I made some pants for it---I put a leather belt attachment on it---still crude but not as crude---it probably wont get much better---I dont have the patience for leather---
OBLIGATORY BECKER CONTENT (and how the 1/2 sheath comes in)
I was given a kydex sheath by yet another friend (forum friends are the only friends I have)--He no longer had the knife it was made for and couldnt remember which one it was anyway so he gave it to me--He was pretty sure, though, that it was made by Gavko---I took one look at it and knew exactly what I wanted to do with it---with a little heat and pressure it fit my 16 perfectly---thats why I only count it as half made by me---thanks GAV--
I will eventually get around to doing some for my own knives-after I finish sheaths for a friend's new BK10 and Buck Paklite (same friend as the Mora owner), I will do one for my 14 and for my 9 when I get more kydex---I like the leather pants on my 2 so I will leave that one alone for now--Thanks for taking a minute to hear about my new venture.
) I scrounged up enough money from birthday money and an Amazon gift card to get some materials and a few tools I would need---I tried using a toaster oven I bought at goodwill but it didnt have a temperature setting it on and the thermostat on it must have been broken because it never shut itself off.....so I melted the kydex and the thing almost caught on fire----The house stunk like melted plastic for a few days ---I then tried the oven and over heated the kydex yet again---it didnt stink so bad this time but still pretty bad---so the wife put an end to my indoor sheath making--I picked up a heat gun and tried to make some in the garage---it was way too cold--I couldnt heat the kydex up enough to get a good mold without over heating it---the cold would make it set up before I got it in the press----so I had to put my efforts on hold before I ruined my whole batch---I was pretty discouraged by this time--I tried again a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised that I didnt completely suck at it. I have made a total of 3.5 sheaths (you'll understand later)--I think they are getting better but I am still learning-I think the most difficult part is trying to find that happy medium of retention-somewhere between having it fall out when you turn it upside down and having to put the sheath between your boots and pulling with 2 hands to get it to release-I still am trying to figure out a decent belt carry system-thats where I think the true artistry comes in (azwelke, 710 and godspeed....I dont know how you do it)--I welcome any and all comments...especially from all you amazing kydex benders on BFC. (Take it easy on me)--As far as my leather working skills go.....I have none, so please no comments on thatSheath #1---I made this for a friend's Gerber Prodigy---I used my own Prodigy to make it but then traded before I took a pic of it with the sheath (duh)---The flair from the bolster/guard made it difficult to put on a belt attachment that made the knife stay vertical on the belt--I ended up making some sort of angled clip, then attached some leather to it----very very crude but functional---
Sheath #2--I made this for another friends Mora Robust--I think this turned out a little better--he didnt want a belt attachment--so I spaced the rivets to fit a tek-lok----I want one of those thicker Moras--I love the way it feels and cuts.
Sheath #3--I recently picked up a Nessmuk from Larson Forge and Finish--it came naked---My dad saw it and loved it--I figured since he only has one fixed blade and has been using it for 40 years, (and I wanted it to put in my collection---its an old school made in usa Schrade that belonged to my deceased uncle) I would gift this one to him and get another one eventually (I would have given him my bk16 but he liked the nessmuk style blade more for skinning---hes not into camping or anything..just hunting)--I couldnt give him a naked knife so I made some pants for it---I put a leather belt attachment on it---still crude but not as crude---it probably wont get much better---I dont have the patience for leather---
OBLIGATORY BECKER CONTENT (and how the 1/2 sheath comes in)
I was given a kydex sheath by yet another friend (forum friends are the only friends I have)--He no longer had the knife it was made for and couldnt remember which one it was anyway so he gave it to me--He was pretty sure, though, that it was made by Gavko---I took one look at it and knew exactly what I wanted to do with it---with a little heat and pressure it fit my 16 perfectly---thats why I only count it as half made by me---thanks GAV--
I will eventually get around to doing some for my own knives-after I finish sheaths for a friend's new BK10 and Buck Paklite (same friend as the Mora owner), I will do one for my 14 and for my 9 when I get more kydex---I like the leather pants on my 2 so I will leave that one alone for now--Thanks for taking a minute to hear about my new venture.
