Kydex sheath question...Need opinions

R

RobertHankins

Joined
Jun 10, 2001
Messages
1,385
I have been making Kydex sheaths for awhile now and have always made them so they can be disassembled and cleaned. What I see is very few people who do this and have to ask myself Why:confused:

Since Leather sheaths can't be taken apart (Usually) to be cleaned of Debris Etc...Does it really matter if a Kydex sheath can?

Are Screws and posts inherantly a weak design?

Thoughts
 
Of all the kydex sheaths that I have used, A little compressed air goes a long way to cleaning them out. No muss, no fuss. Just my two cents.
 
I make almost all my sheaths dismantleable. I think it's a great feature. Screws and posts are a VERY STRONG design, and that's one of their advantages.

However, if you put a decent sized drain hole in the end of the sheath, I think spraying water through the sheath would clean it out pretty well.

Post some pics of your sheaths some time! :D
 
New version of my sheath for the "Moxie"
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This is the sheath in the low slung carry mode.
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Screws and posts are very strong but like Eric from Normark said and MR Murphy---any thing that can go wrong will at the worst possible moment.
Since they are essentially a mechanical (Albeit simple) fastening system they may eventually work loose and wear out. Since I am working more toward the Practical Tactical end lately I will be looking into Rivets and Eyelets.
 
If you still want to keep the screw and post setup, maybe try loc-tite. It would keep everything rock solid, and you would only be tearing the sheath apart if it was critical. Until then, it would probably be about as strong as rivets...
 
Very handsome sheaths! :D

How do you attach the webbing to the kydex? Also, where do you buy your rivets?
 
I am attaching the webbing with Posts and screws right now.
Good question, I am researching the Rivet end of this. Erik @ Normark suggests Eyelets and I trust his judgement. My only concern is that I am going thru 3/8" worth of Kydex and that seems like a lot for an Eyelet to secure thru heavy use.
 
What is a good reasonable source for post screws in black and eyelets in black. Something cheaper than the knife supply places? Thanks akraven
 
RobertHankins :

Since Leather sheaths can't be taken apart (Usually) to be cleaned of Debris Etc...Does it really matter if a Kydex sheath can?
Click to expand...

It is a possible advantage and a large one in some conditions. Some debris is easily cleaned out, some isn't. Try using a knife in late fall on gummy felled trees / deadwoods.

Are Screws and posts inherantly a weak design?
Click to expand...

They are not the weak point, the Kydex is itself . I have broke a number of them under impacts, the breaks often go right through the main body of the sheath :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/images/broken_sheath_machax.jpg

On breaks like that I wonder about putting a band of kydex around the sheath body. Under heavy impacts the band should take the brunt of the shock and break leaving hopefully a fully functional sheath.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,
Save the pieces! You can glue that pup back together with PVC cement sold at Home Depot. I would reccomend Purple primer and the Blue hot cement, it actually bonds the two pieces together.
Works in a pinch. When I start using rivets on my sheaths they will get glued and riveted.
Ahhhh Yes Overkill...Gotta Love It!
 
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