Kydex retention

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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So I'm thinking about getting a Brown Kydex sheath but I was wondering how the retention is. It's going to be for the HRLM which will be a user knife. I can't seem to get past the no retention strap on most Kydex sheaths and before I buy one was just wondering if anyone has any retention issues while beating around the bush, camping, hunting etc. Is the retention on par with a good leather sheath with retention strap?:confused:
 
Is the retention on par with a good leather sheath with retention strap?
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DEPENDS ON HOW IT "HOLDS" THE BLADE--

EITHER BY GUARD FRICTION OR BLADE FRICTION..

BLADE FRICTION IS MUCH MORE SECURE--BUT SCRATCHES THE BLADE.

GUARD FRICTION IS LESS SECURE BUT OFFERS ALMOST INSTANT ACCESS

ALSO DEPENDS ON THE KNIFE----LENGTH OF BLADE,IF IT'S COATED,ETC.

TRY TO FIND SOMEONE THAT HAS THE KNIFE/SHEATH SET UP YOU WANT--AND ASK THEM ...

BUT COMPARED TO A "STRAP"--KYDEX IS NOT AS SECURE.

BUT YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE "STRAP" COMING UNDONE EITHER.
 
I have a BB kydex sheath for M6. It is built very well and I am really happy with it.

Here are my observations, so take them for what it is worth.

First, I do not think you can make a comparision between no retention strap versus retention strap. No matter how good the retention of kydex is, I don't think you can make a comparison to having a strap and a snap. Now, on to the observations.

The retention of the kydex is great. It is nice and tight. Due to the fact that it sits extremely close to your body, it seems like it would be difficult to dislodge the knife. Other pluses is that you do not have to worry about water (it has a drain hole) sweat, etc. The tec-lok can also be repositioned for horizontal, cross draw, etc.

Downsides to the kydex: I do not think that I would ever put a lanyard on this knife. I would be afraid that if I got into heavy brush, the lanyard could get snagged and pull the knife out, or expose the blade. Wearing on your belt is one thing. If I clipped the tek-lok to my backpack, and took off, I am not so sure that I would feel comfortable about retention with the thing bouncing around and out of sight. For that specific scenario, I have thought about including a laynard that could loop around the tek-lok, and then snap on to my pack. The laynard would be sized such that the knife could not be pulled from the sheath. But, there are still 2 downsides to that: 1) Can't be used in an emergency. You would have to stop, open up the tek lock, unwrap the laynard, then remove the knife. 2) When you switch carry modes, the lanyard would need to be removed due to above mentioned reason. One more thing of note: I wonder if when the finish of my knife gets worn off more and more, will it effect the retension?

Neutral observations: The kydex sheath rides high on the belt. Since the tec-lok is below the handle area, it sits high on the belt. Some people like this, some don't. The longer the knife, the higher it has to be pulled to clear the sheath. It sits very tight to the body. Can be good, can be bad. I am 5'10 and 175lbs, so I have no issues with it. I can imagine if you have any extra weight hanging over your belt, the fit might be uncomfortable.

Personally, I just ordered a Mark Bartol sheath for my camp tramp. It can be seen here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449468

If I think of any more, I will let you know.
 
Based on my previous experience with Buy Brown kydex sheaths for Busse and SRKW knives, I will tell you that any concern regarding knife retention should not be a concern at all. David makes top notch stuff. Holding one of his sheaths upside down with a knife in it and the knife is not going anywhere. Roll around on the ground wrestling with someone your size and the knife will not go anywhere. I haven't tested it, but I'd be willing to bet that if you held the sheath and tried to "throw the knife out of the sheath" (not throw the sheath off of the knife, which would be even harder) with the inertia of an arm swing, you could not do it. It's as simple as that.
 
I have a SRKW's Bandicoot in a Kydex sheath from another maker. I was a little skeptical before I got it, but I can honestly say that it holds the knife very tight. The version I have holds by handle tension. I have messed around a little with different Tek-Lok position, even mounting the sheath upside down on a pack and I didnt have a problem with it coming loose. These are preliminary observations, but I don't anticipate any problems. There are a lot of leather sheaths out there (Randall style, etc.) that don't use snap bands. They've been popular for a very long time and given that leather stretches over time you'd think that this style would have been abandoned long ago. I think you will be very happy with the Kydex. It's a very functional material for sheaths. I will certainly get more of them. Get one and try it. If you don't like it, you could easily sell it in the exchange. Good luck.
 
I can't comment on BB but I have one from On Scene Tactical for a Cold Steel knife (before I saw the light) that I carried inverted on a back pack strap. It has handle and blade tension and I did try to throw it as described above and could not. He makes first rate stuff IMO. BB might be as good or better just trying to say kydex can do it. His link........

http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel/
 
dave and Eric are both really good choices

On retention I have a simple guideline I use

I put the knife in and turn it upside down and shake the living crap out of it...if it doesnt come out with that I am happy

I have been known to chunk them across the yard to see if they would stay in the sheath
 
IMHO Brian Wagner (Okuden Kydex) is the "King Of Kydex Cling!!!" I have had sheaths from other kydex-benders over time. But their retention just didn't give me the same secure feeling I get from the snug fit or that "snap" as the knife hits home that Brian builds into his wares.

I'm not saying the other makers make bad sheaths, since they too have many satisfied customers. However, in my experience Okuden sets the standard. YMMV.
 
Shotgun said:
So I'm thinking about getting a Brown Kydex sheath but I was wondering how the retention is. It's going to be for the HRLM which will be a user knife. I can't seem to get past the no retention strap on most Kydex sheaths and before I buy one was just wondering if anyone has any retention issues while beating around the bush, camping, hunting etc. Is the retention on par with a good leather sheath with retention strap?:confused:
Click to expand...


If you get a sheath from Buy Brown... you will never need to worry about retention at all.... I'd bet you could bungee jump with one and it wouldn't let the blade out.
 
RokJok said:
IMHO Brian Wagner (Okuden Kydex) is the "King Of Kydex Cling!!!" I have had sheaths from other kydex-benders over time. But their retention just didn't give me the same secure feeling I get from the snug fit or that "snap" as the knife hits home that Brian builds into his wares.

I'm not saying the other makers make bad sheaths, since they too have many satisfied customers. However, in my experience Okuden sets the standard. YMMV.
Click to expand...

:thumbup: :thumbup: Nothing to add other than complete agreement with RokJok.**

** With ONLY this subject. I don't know what kind of crazy stuff he could come up with tomorrow. :p
 
RokJok said:
IMHO Brian Wagner (Okuden Kydex) is the "King Of Kydex Cling!!!" I have had sheaths from other kydex-benders over time. But their retention just didn't give me the same secure feeling I get from the snug fit or that "snap" as the knife hits home that Brian builds into his wares.

I'm not saying the other makers make bad sheaths, since they too have many satisfied customers. However, in my experience Okuden sets the standard. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Add 2 to that.....retention is OUTSTANDING! No need for a strap!
 
Anyone give me a round about price of what Okuden charges for a basic sheath for an HR with teklok?
 
I have a about six of Mr. Brown's creations and I have never worried about the retention. I did need a sheath made for my Bog Dog for being on duty, extra requirements, and asked if he could make one that made a definite lock sound. I was able to get exactly what I needed.

DarkJedi - Supporting local sheathmakers:D
 
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