Kydex sheath, doe it matter who makes it?

Liu Kang said:
ok, but besides Brown, can you tell any of the others apart and how?
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It depends on the maker's style. I can spot one of Robert's, Eric's, or Steelnut's sheaths immediately. Other's may take a bit more looking. Material used varies also. And skill of course varies, though any maker that's reccomended a lot obviously has that covered. Some of mine are of course easily picked out.

If you're wanting a reccomendation for a Busse sheath, BB, Oku, Steelnut, and OnScene are all good choices.
 
I have a Buy Brown kydex sheath for my HG55 (my only busse). It works great. Shipped very fast, and I'd order from him again.

Aesthetically, SteelNut's sheaths look great, too.
 
no, I had gotten a busse with a sheath in a trade, had it up for sale and someone interested wanted to know who made it. I have had those questions before but not sure if my answer makes a difference, and if so what? like if I could tell it was one that everyone wanted, I could maybe ask like ten dollors more or something...
 
Okuden. The wait is a little long but the quality is better then the other makes I have.
 
Liu Kang said:
no, I had gotten a busse with a sheath in a trade, had it up for sale and someone interested wanted to know who made it. I have had those questions before but not sure if my answer makes a difference, and if so what? like if I could tell it was one that everyone wanted, I could maybe ask like ten dollors more or something...
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Pic?
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Liu Kang said:
ok, but besides Brown, can you tell any of the others apart and how?
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BB's are typically taco style, Okuden and Mashed Cat look very similar, but Oku has a distinct "lip" near the handles. MC has a distinct "thumb ramp" of sorts that helps withdrawing the knife, and a square looking drainage port at the tip.

I buy Mashed Cat, but seeing as he's minutes away, I may be biased. :o


Oku:

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Mashed Cat:

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I like on scene tactical, okuden, and mashed cat sheaths.

All the onscene sheaths I've had clicked the knife and held it very securely each and every time I've pulled it in and out of the sheath.

I've never had good luck with the retention on the buy brown sheaths I've had.


I hear mike sastre makes some great sheaths as well.
 
Okuden is top notch made sheath. The one I had made by him had an awesome drop leg attatchment. Sheath is very well made, and has a drainage placed at the tip of the knife.
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Mashed cat: I have a MC for my HG-55 seems about equal quality of the Okuden. Very well made, with drainage at bottom. Uses a tech lock instead of the drop loop.

Buy Brown: My ash sheath, is very well made. Less tight than others, the knife rests solidly, but I would not trust it upside down. I love the thumb ramp that you place your thumb on when lifting the knife. Taco style (holes on one side of folded kydex) Drainage hole is not at the bottom of the sheath, rather on the back slightly above the tip of the knife. Uses a tech lock as well.
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Steelnut: Kydex doesn't appear to be quite as hard as some others, however is put together well and is solid. Drainage hole is on the back like the BB one. At the top of his sheath you will notice two flaps that come up and emcompas the handle for retention. They will wear your handle a bit. I had trouble with his drop loop atachment and he is mailing me a new one free of charge. I am using a tech lock in it's absence.
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All are great sheaths, you can tell the difference between them by the various subtleties, I would recommend any to a fellow knife lover, based on preferances.

Hope that helped!
-steve
 
Hell... I roll my own kydex! It's a great way to spend a Saturday or lazy Sunday in the garage with a beer or 15.

One thing for sure, is that there are some very talented makers on this forum. All of them different in their own way. Some guys produce sheaths at a lower price with slightly lower finished quality. Others produce beautiful sheaths that are a bit more money.

If I wanted something cool... really cool... and could pick only one maker... Dave Brown would be the guy I'd call. Some artists use canvas... Dave uses kydex. He has turned kydex into an art form and does things I have not seen elsewhere.

To answer the OP... yes... there is a difference. It is in the details. Slapping together some kydex is, quite frankly, simple. Preventing blade-rub yet maintaining solid retention, smoothing out the 'sharp' spots, ensuring there are no gaps, etc... is what takes time. And time is money. You will likely get what you pay for (just like everything else in life) :).

Now, I'll state again... I roll my own. I have no dog in this fight (hope it doesn't come down to that!) :)... but in my opinion, I don't think a guy could go wrong with any of the mentioned makers. Caddy or Chevy... it's your money, make your pick. :thumbup: Kydex is tough stuff and will likely outlive you. If only is smelled like leather... :cool: :thumbup:
 
My MC sheaths have a looser grip on the knife than Oku's sheaths.
Okuden sheats feel somewhat sturdier, also.
It's all good. Just different.
 
The finest kydex sheath I ever have used is one made by Dozier for a Dozier knife. Effortless to sheath and unsheath, doesn't ding the blade, clicks-on-close and is rock-solid in terms of retention.

The worst I've held is the one for my Bark River Bravo 1. Similar design, waaaay too thick kydex. Not a good combo. It's wearing down the micarta. And it's scratched the flip outta my blade too.

I haven't sampled everyone here. But of what I've sampled, I like. But I'm more of a leather fan to begin with.
 
I've noticed that some makers make sheatsh that do not scratch the blade. Others produce sheaths that make horrendous scratches, or wear off the coating.
That would be a deciding factor for me.
 
adrock1978 said:
I'm a believer in brand loyalty. Steelnuts helped me out with my first Busse blade. He put up with my billion questions and produced an amazing sheath. His drop leg design is pretty unique and retension is perfect. Not to mention he seems like a pretty cool guy. Oink!
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I agree about the brand loyalty. I asked Rainwalker to make me a sheath for my CG DM when I came home on leave from Iraq. He made a sweet kydex sheath and got it to my door is 5 days, before I had to return back to Iraq. It was an awesome sheath with excellent quality. He even gives military discount too. :thumbup: for Rainwalker.
 
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