Kydex Scratches

Doberman_Dave

Doberman_Dave

Joined
Nov 13, 2004
Messages
650
What's with kydex scratches? How does "plastic" sometimes scratch a knife blade? Do foreign bodies do the scratching (abrasive bits from belts?)? Can they be avoided?:confused:
 
tlmzdac said:
What's with kydex scratches? How does "plastic" sometimes scratch a knife blade? Do foreign bodies do the scratching (abrasive bits from belts?)? Can they be avoided?:confused:
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Personally I don't care for Kydex although it is very durable.
I prefer leather for its looks but I never store a knife in a leather sheath because of possible corrosion problems from moisture. I only put a knife in a leather sheath when I go out to use it. Otherwise I store the knife seperate from the sheath.
 
I think its important for a knife to snap into a kydex and not have the sheath itself hold the knife in. I think if its a tight fit in the kydex you will get more scratches.
 
a LOT of it depends how the sheath is made.

If the kydex grips the blade, it'll scratch. If the kydex has enough clearance so the blade doesn't touch, you'll have far fewer scratches.

Some of the scratches are due to grit that gets in there, so wipe it out now and then.

My guideline is, if you don't want scratches on it, keep it in a box and never use it for anything !

.
 
David E said:
Some of the scratches are due to grit that gets in there, so wipe it out now and then.
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Right, one tiny piece of anything that's harder than the steel will scratch it in a tightly fitted Kydex sheath. It's not the sheath doing the scratching, it's the particulate matter inside.
 
Well, sort of....

A sheath that tightly grips the entire blade will cause surface smoothing or coating scratches, even if it's totally grit-free.

The knife should fall into the sheath up until the engagement, usually on the handle/guard.

if it grabs the blade from the first 1/2", I'd look for a different brand sheath if scratches bother you.

.
 
Embedded grit in the kydex is most likely the culprit, that combined with in sufficient clearance of the blade in the sheath body. I like kydex for the resilience and wide spectrum of conditions it laughs at, but you can't beat the warm feel of a big hunk of leather.
 
tlmzdac said:
What's with kydex scratches? How does "plastic" sometimes scratch a knife blade? Do foreign bodies do the scratching (abrasive bits from belts?)? Can they be avoided?:confused:
Click to expand...
ok, want to fix your coated blade, crinkle coated that is?

here's what i do to keep mine in great looking safe queen shape.

disclaimer, do this at your own risk

on my user knives i take a damp or slightly wet terry cloth rag with mek, or wet lacquer thinner, and wipe the blade a few times. on my blades it removes all pitch, blood, bark and kydex scratches COMPLETELY!

no joke!
 
wet terry cloth rag with mek, or wet lacquer thinner
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Watch out with the mek!!, wear gloves when using this stuff.: skin absorption etc.
Use safety glasses, gloves and good ventilation. better safe then sorry, cause this is some nasty stuff! its "nukular" :D
 
and speaking of... where the hell are yall getting MEK from anymore?!? that is the best bore cleaner I have ever found, but the military stopped using it in the mid 90's cause it rots the world... LOL I snagged a few bottles from the maint shops when I was up north, but have run out years ago.
 
I've heard that Kydex has a higher RC than steel.
It sould odd to me, but that's what I've heard.
 
Anytime you have two materials rubbing against each other, friction is created. Over time, the friction will result in "wear" or "scratches."

If what it of concern are the black marks on the knife blade, that's simply kydex particles imbedding into the blade/coating surface. Thinner will remove that.

But, again, over time, friction will cause shiny spots. Grit will accelerate this, but the kydex alone, if it is a contact/friction fit, will also create this wear.

That's why I make the sheaths with just enough clearance so there is NOT a friction fit on the blade itself. Far fewer scracthes this way.

No, kydex does NOT have a higher Rockwell than steel. Press a straight pin into kydex and then into a table spoon the same pressure and you'll see a divot in the kydex, nothing on the table spoon.

.
 
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