kydex sheath making help needed

M

Mtnclimber69

Joined
Oct 23, 2002
Messages
1,147
I am wondering how tough/easy it is to do myself... anyone here help tell me how to go about getting started and what I would need... mistakes to avoid etc...?

Cheers
 
I not a veteran by any means, but I found it to be pretty easy. Supposedly, a heat gun is the tool to use, but I don't have one of those. I used the rivets from Texas Knifemaker's Supply, and they didn't work at all. The next couple I used pop-rivets, which worked fantastic but not very aesthetically pleasing. Now I go with the Chicago screws (they look a lot neater). I just layed the kydex out on my ironing board and then lay a damp hand towel over the kydex. I let the iron over the kydex for awhile and then folded it over my knife. If it's a small knife, I can do the small parts with just an iron, but I just did a large knife (9-inch blade), and after the initial iron foldover, I put it on an old tray (with knife) and put it in the oven at 200-degrees for a few minutes. After it got soft, which doesn't take long, I took it out and pressed it between two books while "probing" the indents to get them in. By the way, gloves are a good thing to have on at this point. After that, you can rivet, screw, or clamp the kydex however you want and "iron out" any bumps later.

Mine have looked pretty good to me -- probably not professional, but I'm not a professional either.
 
My suggestion: go buy some kydex (TKS perhaps) and fool around with it. Try different foams, different heating methods, etc. I've started using some high-quality eylets now, but I wouldn't worry too much about fasteners at the start. Just get some cheap eylets or some chicago screws and try them out. Believe me, kydex is fun stuff :D
 
am thinking of giving kydex a try. What can by used, sans a band saw to cut the kydex?
CAn it be cut cold or must be 'hand' cut hot?



thanks
dave
 
trauma shears work well, or for large pieces score it with a carpet knife and break it apart. (bend it until it breaks)
 
Originally posted by Mississippi_Dave
am thinking of giving kydex a try. What can by used, sans a band saw to cut the kydex?
CAn it be cut cold or must be 'hand' cut hot?
Click to expand...

I use a heavy duty serrated scissors to cut both .06 and .09 Kydex. The .06 is easy, I prefer to use the band saw for the .09 stuff.
 
Originally posted by Andrew Lynch
I've started using some high-quality eylets now, but I wouldn't worry too much about fasteners at the start. Just get some cheap eylets or some chicago screws and try them out. is :D
Click to expand...

Andrew
Where did you find the Eyelets you mentioned and can you also get the setter from that place also? Thanks akraven
 
I got them at www.fastener-supply.com . I got the press at knifekits.com (the first dies were a bit rough, but Darrel said they're getting new ones in that are better). I use 8-12 size because I use 0.090" kydex almost exclusively.

These eyelets are great. Unbelievable strength, cheap, look good...
 
OK guys thanks!

Now what I need is a good source for kydex... I want to find some camo and some tan kydex... maybe even black just to be different ;)

If any of you have extra pieces laying around I can buy off of ya, just send me a note... I can paypal you.

peter_t_richards@yahoo.com

Cheers!
 
I got a heat gun from Harbor Freight a couple days ago for around $13, i havent tried it yet, i used a toaster over set to 250 degrees on the one i made. I got eyelettes from a craft shop called Michaels, they are 3/16" and seem pretty good so far, cost about $1.50 for i think 20 of them and the tool for them was also $1.50. I used a hacksaw to cut it and a 1x30 belt sander to finish to shape. I got my Kydex from Knife and Gun Supply for $4 for a 12"x12" piece. :)
 
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