Kydex Retention System?

[BARBARIAN-X]

Looking for a kydex sheath that has a retention system. This is for a large custom chopper which is why I am looking for a retention system. Most of my chopping knives have leather sheaths which are nice but this will be a working blade and I find leather to be a pain to keep clean inside the sheath compared to kydex. I have had kydex for a couple of large knives and the issue has always been that they can be jolted free of their retention on an atv or snowmobile because of the weight of the knife. I'm not looking for a retention strap, I am looking for some form of retention system. If you know of any please post and if you have had any experience with any I would also like to hear your experiences. Thanks!

 

[sonil]

try ........

 

[leatherman]

I wish they still had a membership here, but they do not, please don't suggest craftsmen who do not pony up. They are getting work on the backs of those of us who do pay to play.

 

[sonil]

I wish they still had a membership here, but they do not, please don't suggest craftsmen who do not pony up. They are getting work on the backs of those of us who do pay to play.

my bad i thought both him an his son had accounts here...

 

[leatherman]

More than understood, believe me. Your not the only one who thought of them. Very disappointing.

There's so many makers, really good makers, who pay for the craftsman membership and abide by the rules of the forum. But when I see some really talented craftsmen that dont feel the need to pay, in what in my opinion, is really affordable advertising its frustrating.

 

[Hale Storm]

I've been accused by a few mall ninja's of making kydex sheaths too tight. Same for a few regular folks. Unless the blade/hilt joint is really smooth and angled with no way to "pinch" the knife in, then retention can be made so tight that it's hard to pull the knife free. You didn't say how large your large blades were but I've built for the Esee Junglas many times and a few for the Survive GSO 10. All of mine pass the 'shake test' and I've never heard of any complaints with over 1000 sheaths out there. I can build it to be inverted and withstand the atv trails if the knife is right. You can use the thumb push method for blade removal but it will need to be a strong thumb. Retention is a balance between safety for the user and the ability to draw the blade when needed. What are you interested in?

 

[BARBARIAN-X]

The knife in question will have a 14-16 inch blade and will have a handle like the one in the pic which has a 13 inch blade. Basically it will be the same knife except it will be longer with a Japanese style tip and yokote. Adding to the problem is that I use the forward lanyard hole so molding the kydex to the hole won't work because there will be a piece of 750 paracord running through it. This is why I'm looking for another form of retention on a kydex sheath.

 

[Hale Storm]

I think I can build it.

[/IMG]

See how I have the top of the sheath near the hilt uneven? Imagine that same set up on the opposite side of the sheath which would/could leave the lanyard hole open and the retention would be at the choil. I can have it inserted pretty deep and flare it at the top so the knife slides in. There are other variants with an open front which might be necessary since the blade has a large curve to it. Depends on the actual shape of the blade. I heat in a convection oven and press on home made presses I designed and built myself. Gives the kydex greater detail and I can press up to about an 18"-20" blade on my largest press. All my work is hand made custom. No waterjet or cnc.