Kydex problems...

E

eslam98

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Oct 15, 2008
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So, I was drinking my Macallan 15, and somehow left my Swamp Warden in its MC kydex sheath in my shorts pocket.

After I got it out of the dryer (yes, I drink and launder, I don't think it makes me a bad person) the SW now wiggles around in the sheath.

I've taken the hair dryer to it and set one of my 45lb dumbbells on it and it's a little better but still not quite right.

Any suggestions on how to get it to have that nice "click" again when I sheath it would be much appreciated. :o
 
I have fixed similar problems with heating the sheath slowly on a cookie sheet in the oven @ about 200-350 degrees and then inserting the knife as the sheath cools. It takes patience and caution. This is also how I made an HHFSH fit in the kydex of a large Spec-Ops Survival sheath as well.
 
With the rivets already in place it will be hard to make it as good as it was before the dryer.
 
I wouldn't recommend the oven. It will be hard to control the amount of heat it's getting. You don't want to soften it up to much or it will be f'ed. Try boiling water, poor it into a deep bowl and "dip" the kydex in. Pull out to see if its softened at all. Squeeze the areas that need adjustment.
A press would be best but your hand will work ok.
Hope this helps.
 
One thing is for certain. You should expirement with something you don't care about. The boiling water method has never worked for me (but obviously has for others) and the oven has after ruining a few pieces. As I said, it can be done, but with care. If I were you, I might try water first since it is a much slower heating process.
 
I was going to say a heat gun or hair dryer on high. I have used both to heat up areas that need some extra push, while using an object to put extra pressure where needed.
 
Odd, when my wife puts my pants in the dryer they usually shrink.:p If you would like you can send the sheath back to me and I'll give it a nice spa treatment and refresh the fit in the press. Let me know.:thumbup:
 
I always just use a lighter or a stove top flame to heat/finger press local area's. If you over heat it it makes the local area look really shiny, but then I normally don't care what my kydex sheaths look like (especially with lighters).
 
Soulrack223 said:
With the rivets already in place it will be hard to make it as good as it was before the dryer.
Click to expand...

This was my thought after 4 or 5 attempts with the hair dryer. :grumpy:

I'll try the heating again and just put my gloves on and try to hand mold it instead of just setting something heavy on it. For some reason that thought hadn't crossed my empty little head yet...:rolleyes:
 
Grandsuave said:
Odd, when my wife puts my pants in the dryer they usually shrink.:p If you would like you can send the sheath back to me and I'll give it a nice spa treatment and refresh the fit in the press. Let me know.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I may have to take you up on this if I can get past my separation anxiety. :thumbup:

Having only my SAR3 on me all the time just doesn't feel right, I love my neck knife!

Might have to resort to carrying my Izula for a couple weeks. The SW is just a lot sleeker to carry and is hidden better from the sheeple.
 
It only takes about 30 seconds in a hot oven to get kydex real soft. Don't leave it in too long.
 
I've adjusted kydex sheaths with just a hair dryer.
 
stjones said:
I wouldn't recommend the oven. It will be hard to control the amount of heat it's getting. You don't want to soften it up to much or it will be f'ed. Try boiling water, poor it into a deep bowl and "dip" the kydex in. Pull out to see if its softened at all. Squeeze the areas that need adjustment.
A press would be best but your hand will work ok.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

I have done this. I actually stood on the sheath between several folded towels and books. I weigh 350.

I also used a heavy rubber band around the neck, but that made it a bit wrinkly.

That sucker locks in place now!!!!

If you bought it from a maker, they would likely just tell you to send it back in with the knife for a custom fit.
 
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