Kydex or leather sheaths?

G

gary777

Joined
Dec 15, 2000
Messages
77
Looking at the Ka-Bar model 1212, or 1214. You can get either leather or Kydex. Kydex would seem like the obvious choice, but maybe I'm missing something.

Which do you prefer, and why?
 
I don't know of any practical advantages to leather. Unless you really like the way leather looks I'd go with kydex.

--Bob Q
 
A family friend is a knife maker, he inserts bakelite into his sheaths and then shrinks the leather to the knife. This results in a very safe sheath that can not be cut by the knife. You can fall on the knife and still be protected.

The result is a leather sheath with the charactoristics of a Concealex sheath...ie tight, almost airtight friction fit. He also has a belt system that lets the knife swing free, further reducing the danger of a fall.

The system does increase the weight of the knife, but makes it very safe for field use. The sheaths are almost as beautiful as his knives.
smile.gif


Hopes this helps...


Steve-O


[This message has been edited by Steve-O (edited 02-03-2001).]
 
I'd go with a leather or nylon sheath. Kydex makes to much dang noise when it gets banged around. Also seems to be more bulky when compared to a plain leather sheath. Some would say that leather rots but the leather sheath that came with my Sears Roebuck bowie knife lasted a year in VN while my boots rotted out every 3 months. (When I got home, someone stole the knife out of my parked car.)
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Fraser:
I'd go with a leather or nylon sheath. Kydex makes to much dang noise when it gets banged around. Also seems to be more bulky when compared to a plain leather sheath. </font>
Click to expand...

Kydex is indeed a bit noisy. For self defense maybe this matters. For hunting, if you spook a whitetail while pulling your knife to clean your teeth, shame on you. Or if you make noise while walking to your stand, maybe an issue (my fixed blade knife is usually in my belt pack anyway when hunting, with a folder in my pocket).

Otherwise, kydex or kydex inside nylon would seem to be the more durable (just don't leave kydex on dash during summer, it's a thermoplastic... need I say more?)

Leather is so much nicer aesthetically.
 
Gary,
I think that to answer your question accurately, we would need to know your intended use.

Give us a hint.

--The Raptor--
 
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