Kydex Question

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KngFhearts

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Mar 23, 2010
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I tried the search function with no luck, maybe some here canhelp. I purchased a knife second hand that came with a kydex sheath. The knive was great, but the sheath was a little loose. It rattles. The knife doesn't fall out, but it feels like if I shook it hard....it might.

Is there a way to tighten the "grip" the sheath has on the knife, or should I just have a new one made?

Thanks guys
 
I don't know kydex from Tupperware. Never bent it, but I've read about guys using heat from a hair dryer to soften the stuff to try and fix what you describe.

What I know for sure is that a lot of guys try to mitigate the problem of kydex scratching knives by leaving a bit of space (usually by taping up the blade) while forming so that the plastic isn't in direct and constant contact with the blade. I think the goal is to keep the plastic off the steel, but keep retention by forming around the ricasso and scales. The really good guys can do all of this while keeping shake and rattle to a minimum. Modifying the sheath may undo what was purposely built into the sheath. If you know who made it, I'd suggest asking them directly.

Anyone that knows better is welcome to point out something I'm missing.

I'd just have a leather sheath made for the knife. :D ;)
 
Kydex is pretty forgiving. If you are thinking of scrapping it you may as well try and fix it first.

I'm assuming you don't have the proper kydex foam for forming a sheath, so I'll make suggestions accordingly. Fold a towel neatly a couple of times and place it on a hard surface. Do the same with a second towel, and have a plank or board close by. Now place your knife and kydex on one towel. Get your wife's hair dryer (she'll think you're crazy) and put it on high heat. Blast the air in a concentrated area where the top of sheath folds around the base of the scales and ricasso. You will know it is ready when that portion of kydex is soft and pliable.

When that portion of kydex is pliable, turn off the hair dryer, place the second towel on top of the sheath, then your wood plank on top of that. Apply medium pressure to the board and make sure it stays level. After a few minutes check the sheath and make sure it's cool. Then check the fit of the knife and sheath.

This isn't the perfect way to fix the problem, but with limited tools it should do the trick. Try not to heat up any more of the sheath than you have to, otherwise you will make it look worse.

Good luck.
 
it`s a lot easier to "loose" a tight sheath, than tighten a loose one....
 
Thanks guys. I will give the hair dryer technique a try. The knife is a swamp warden, with out scales. I'll see how it goes.

Thanks again.
 
KngFhearts said:
Thanks guys. I will give the hair dryer technique a try. The knife is a swamp warden, with out scales. I'll see how it goes.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Please do not attempt to heat and press the entire sheath.

With the knife out of the sheath, heat only the area that comes in contact with the handle.

Hold the hair dryer about two inches away for about eight seconds on each side.
Immediately pinch the area closed a bit with your thumb and index finger.
Hold it for about a minute while it cools to freeze it in that position.
It will be hot but you should be OK. You can wear a glove if you desire.

Remember, you are not remolding, you are only heating it up enough to gain a little give in the Kydex.

Once it has completely cooled you can insert the knife and check your progress.
You may need to try it one more time to get the results you want.

I have done this several times with good results.
I have never had any luck trying to remold with the knife in the sheath without a proper press. Once the kydex heats up too much it starts to flatten out and I lose the grip around the handle.
 
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Unless you work as a chef, use gloves. At least my fingers are too delicate. Please let us know how it went.
 
Great tip! I tried your technique twice and the sheath was tight...maybe a little too tight. So...I did it one more time, waiting a few seconds for it to slightly cool. Then, I put the knife in and let it cool completely. Now it is just right. No rattling, good retention with a solid "click".

Thanks again
 
I am very happy that you were open enough to give it a try and able to adjust the sheath to your liking. A good fitting kydex is hard to beat.
 
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