Kydex Sheath Maintenence?

[Guilo]

Is there any maintenence I need to know about for kydex sheaths? And is it ok to store a knife in the sheath all the time, or will that loosen the sheath? I know it won't cause rust, just don't want to make the sheath loosen up too much.

Sorry, don't know much about kydex.

 

[theamazingdrew]

it wont loosen it unless your store it somwhere very hot, like an attic.
I have had kydex totally deform on me and learned the hard way to not store them in the attic.

 

[THE PUNISHER]

i squirt a little wd-40 in it in hot conditions or some rig on the blade so it is smooth,if you are going to use it to prep food mineral oil or wesson..............

 

[leatherman]

**snip** I know it won't cause rust

It wont? Sorry, it will if you leave the knife wet, or store the knife in the sheath in damp or humid conditions. Just like leather or nylon if you leave the steel in contact with moisture in an enclosed environment, it will rust. It doesn't matter what you store it in, even the cardboard sheath.

Sorry, but it needed to be addressed.

 

[Guilo]

Ah, I had assumed the knife was stored dry when I said that, sorry. I always dry my knives/sheaths before storing.

Thanks for the quick responses, and correcting that leatherman.

 

[kdstrick]

i squirt a little wd-40 in it in hot conditions or some rig on the blade so it is smooth,if you are going to use it to prep food mineral oil or wesson..............

To each his own, but the only problem with that approach is that the oil tends to attract dirt and debris which sticks to the oil inside the sheath, scratching the blade. Therefore, I don't suggest that approach. In fact, I wash mine out with soap and water to prevent that very thing.

As for the OP, I've been rolling kydex for a couple of years now and never had one deform. The thicker the kydex, the more resistant it is to heat deformation. I form my kydex at about 275 degrees. At that temperature it becomes very pliable, like rubber (sort of). I'd try to keep the kydex stored in temperatures less than 200 degrees.

Something like leaving it on the dashboard of your vehicle in the summer may cause some deformation.

Under normal conditions, it should last as long as your knife. :thumbup:

 

[Guilo]

Alright, thanks everyone, guess they make plastic stronger than I thought haha.

 

[THE PUNISHER]

i know dirt will stick,i wash it out with wd-40 in the sheath it will blast the dirt out,i pack a southern comfort sheath and hot temps and body salt will lead to rust so keep it lube.....

 

[hoopster]

Kydex is extremely tough stuff. You'll spend more time maintaining your knife than your sheath. Just keep it clean inside and keep it out of the fire.

 

[superfluities]

Ah, I had assumed the knife was stored dry when I said that, sorry. I always dry my knives/sheaths before storing.

Thanks for the quick responses, and correcting that leatherman.

Watch out for condensation rust specially where the knife contacts the sheath. Usually during a humid warm-up. I've had this happen mainly with knives left in my vehicle even with oil on them.

 

[oge14]

another thing, if your knife is cold like 32 degrees or less and you bring it into a warm house you'll get condensation on the stel as well. so watch out in the winter time.

 

[superfluities]

another thing, if your knife is cold like 32 degrees or less and you bring it into a warm house you'll get condensation on the stel as well. so watch out in the winter time.

That's very true-watch your guns/tools too. I've had this happen when it's 70's at night and 80's during the day during humidity over 60%-70%. I've even had concealed carry knives rust vs. the same knife laying on my desk, just from body moisture.