Kydex question

[Sam Hell]

Does anyone know if it would be possible for your kydex sheath to melt and warp in high temp and humidity...say like the desert? And do you know the melt temp?

 

[OpKey]

I don't think so, man. I know most people set their ovens for like...350 degrees I think, but that's when forming it for sheaths. So 120 degrees probably wouldn't even make a difference, and that's if you even see that kind of hot weather.

 

[Sam Hell]

Thanks for the info ...been curious about that...always been a nylon or leather sheath dude.

 

[thatotherguy]

It shouldn't. We have (had) troops in Afghanistan with kydex holsters, sheaths,ammo carriers, flashlight holsters, etc. that never had a problem.

 

[daizee]

I wouldn't leave it in the sun on blacktop, tho.
I set my toaster oven for about 250deg to form the stuff. The surface definitely gets hotter as the oven is ramping up and the elements are on full power.

 

[azwelke]

In AZ in the summer, if you left it in the car, and the car parked in the sun, it will disform and try to open back up and become loose.
You are better to keep it in the trunk or park in the shade and keep your windows cracked...

It gets so Hot in your car in AZ that cds and tapes will warp....pop cans will explode.....and you won't even see the contents before they evaporate.... it's a good time!

I have sent a lot overseas to our service men, in hot areas, and I use them in AZ all the time, I have only had one come back from heat exposure....

My sheaths are all guaranteed, so if an azwelke does this, send it back and I will replace it for free!

Thank you, hope this helps.

Al

Does anyone know if it would be possible for your kydex sheath to melt and warp in high temp and humidity...say like the desert? And do you know the melt temp?

 

[SoldMyHat]

My sheaths are all guaranteed, so if an azwelke does this, send it back and I will replace it for free!

This ^ and the quality of your work I have seen in this forum is why I will be ordering from you as soon as I get my bk9 an a little extra cash. You are a good man sir.

 

[SleepyBadger]

 

[GODSPEED TACTICAL]

In AZ in the summer, if you left it in the car, and the car parked in the sun, it will disform and try to open back up and become loose.
You are better to keep it in the trunk or park in the shade and keep your windows cracked...

It gets so Hot in your car in AZ that cds and tapes will warp....pop cans will explode.....and you won't even see the contents before they evaporate.... it's a good time!

I have sent a lot overseas to our service men, in hot areas, and I use them in AZ all the time, I have only had one come back from heat exposure....

My sheaths are all guaranteed, so if an azwelke does this, send it back and I will replace it for free!

Thank you, hope this helps.

Al

Al's not kidding when he talks about the heat here! I'm sure Al makes them just like I do..... just stand in direct sunlight and start forming the Kydex I am surprised to hear about them "opening" up though, I've left a Kydex sheath in my truck for a couple summers and haven't had any problems.

I've heard alot of concerns about Kydex in very cold conditinos too but I think alot of the "problem" is sheath design. Plastic is alot like steel when it's heated in that it takes a "Heat Treat" so if you get it too hot it becomes more brittle. This usually results in "shine" on the surface but again the sheath design makes alot of difference too.

I think "it's a good time" is the best description I've heard of our heat in a long time.... I usually say "It's nice and warm" with a big smile on my face. I've got nowhere near the amount of sheaths "out there" that Al does.... so I'm glad to here his experience with Kydex/heat, etc. I also guarantee my sheaths but I would never make anyone incur the cost of shipping it back to me.

Another though on Heat/Kydex is the thickness of the Kydex used for the sheath, I use .093 (so does Al) and you wouldn't believe the difference it makes. I hear alot of guy's say you can use the thinner stuff for the smaller knives but I use .093 for Izula sheaths and won't use anything else no matter how small the knife is.

Godspeed's random thoughts on "Heat":
1. 120 isn't high enough of a test for Arizona the "inside a locked car" temperature here can get up to 200 degrees with an average more like 180.

2. 350 is way too hot for Thermo-forming Kydex as it starts to "off-gas" at around 400 degrees...... but time/exposure would be a determining factor.

3. Plastic really does take a "heat-treat".


Eli

 

[wasatchdan]

In AZ in the summer, if you left it in the car, and the car parked in the sun, it will disform and try to open back up and become loose.
You are better to keep it in the trunk or park in the shade and keep your windows cracked...

It gets so Hot in your car in AZ that cds and tapes will warp....pop cans will explode.....and you won't even see the contents before they evaporate.... it's a good time!

I have sent a lot overseas to our service men, in hot areas, and I use them in AZ all the time, I have only had one come back from heat exposure....

My sheaths are all guaranteed, so if an azwelke does this, send it back and I will replace it for free!

Thank you, hope this helps.

Al

Yep, exactly.

I had two kydex pistol rigs and one sheath deform from being accidentally left in my car for a couple of days when I lived in the Big AZ. After that I always remembered to keep my kydex gear in my pack and take the pack with me indoors. A couple hundred dollars worth of suddenly useless Kydex can make you freak out and then cry like a little girl.

 

[Sam Hell]

That's what I really wanted to know about the high desert heat...thanks everyone.

 

[Skystorm]

Sure glad I can leave my gear in the sun without it deforming, or freeze it without it snapping. Two less things to worry about

 

[azwelke]

If you care about your leather, bring that inside in AZ too...it will dry out and crack and twist and warp pretty easily from this extreme heat.
I think usually your kydex and leather holsters and sheaths are valuable and carrying valuable items, which should all be kept out of all the extremes!
Al

Yep, exactly.

I had two kydex pistol rigs and one sheath deform from being accidentally left in my car for a couple of days when I lived in the Big AZ. After that I always remembered to keep my kydex gear in my pack and take the pack with me indoors. A couple hundred dollars worth of suddenly useless Kydex can make you freak out and then cry like a little girl.

 

[Sam Hell]

Do you sell your pouches by themselves and the horizontal add on as well?