Kydex sheath with leather help

James w

James w

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Aug 6, 2015
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So pretty much I'm making kydex sheaths but I want to start putting a leather belt loop dangler thingy on the back of my kydex sheaths

This is mind what materials and tools would I need to make this using the cheapest method

Thx
James W.
 
James w said:
So pretty much I'm making kydex sheaths but I want to start putting a leather belt loop dangler thingy on the back of my kydex sheaths

This is mind what materials and tools would I need to make this using the cheapest method Thx

James W.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty loaded question.

How cheap do you want to go? At the bare minimum you'll need a knife to cut the leather, and a way to attach the leather loop to the kydex. But that's going to leave you with a very cheap looking strap.

This video goes over the basic leatherworking tools you'll need to make something that doesn't look like a dog chewed on it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1pAMZQpYFA
 
You can get heavy pre-cut strips of leather (natural or dyed) for 10-20 dollars for several feet. Cut off the length you need and rivet or screw post it to a Kydex backer (double up if you're not using .125) attached to your sheath. Not gonna be the prettiest thing in the world, but should run you a few bucks each at most and be plenty functional. You could probably even save money there by going belt shopping in a thrift store if you don't mind the holes. Cheapest/easiest option off the top of my head, but know that I don't know a lot about leather.
 
James w said:
Budgets 50 bucks
Click to expand...

That's not much to work with, but here goes.

(I'm going to assume you have a knife, a ruler, and a bit of smooth wood)

1. Creaser, beveller, and groover: The beveller blades suck, but they're better than nothing. $16

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B1RGQ6M?psc=1

2. Contact cement: (note I haven't used this particular brand, think I found something cheaper at the local hardware store that works fine) $7

http://www.amazon.com/Barge-Cement-...qid=1459863360&sr=1-2&keywords=contact+cement

3. Diamond Awl (note, you can use a drill rather than an awl. I tried at first and was left with ugly holes and broken needles, others seem to have no problem though) $15

http://www.amazon.com/Osborne-144-4...F8&qid=1459863503&sr=1-1&keywords=diamond+awl

4. Needles. $5

http://www.amazon.com/Tandy-Leather...xgy_201_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K541K003SYJA452NQ6D

5. Thread. $8

http://www.amazon.com/Ritza-25-Tige...&qid=1459863786&sr=1-10&keywords=tiger+thread


So that's $51 right there, and gives you the basics. I'd expand your budget a little bit and get the following though:

6. Tan Kote. A protective finish, great for smoothing down the back "flesh" side of the leather $8

http://www.amazon.com/Tandy-Leather...=UTF8&qid=1459864021&sr=1-1&keywords=tan+kote

7. Dye. Makes things look pretty $5

http://www.amazon.com/Tandy-Leather...4601&sr=1-2&keywords=fiebings+leather+oil+dye

8. Burnisher. Can use any old piece of smooth wood, but for only $2 it's useful.

http://www.amazon.com/Tandy-Leather...UTF8&qid=1459864765&sr=1-7&keywords=burnisher

And finally, you'll need some leather to work on. Don't bother with the stuff they sell in craft stores, that's chrome tanned split leather. You want full grain veg tanned. As Kiah said, you might be able to pick up some belts or scraps for cheap, but honestly $20 will get you enough nice new leather for 10 or 20 straps.

http://www.amazon.com/8-9-Cowhide-T...459864850&sr=1-1&keywords=veg+tan+leather+8-9


So that's about $85 total. And you can skip the dye, burnisher, maybe the awl if you're really pressed for cash. But with that you can make some pretty decent quality stuff. I did this without too much more in the way of tools and supplies:

aJ7yJ5d.jpg


KBOWJt2.jpg


Hope that helps,

-John
 
James w said:
Thx for the help so basically I already have grommets and rivets so could I some how rivet or grommet the leather together to form the loop?
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Sure, just make sure the rivets you've got can go through the thickness of leather you're using. I don't have any experience with rivets, but from what I understand Stitching vs. Rivets is just a matter of style, not strength. They both work.

Or would it be better to just use an awl thread and needle ?
Also if I got this
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/sewing-awl-kit

I wouldn't need the needles right?
Click to expand...

That's designed to make a locking-stitch, not the stronger saddle-stitch you get by hand sewing. I don't have any experience with it so I can't really comment.

James w said:
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/basic-handstitching-set


For a little over budget I can get this what do you think of it?
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That's fine. I left out the overstitch wheel because you can use a ruler to mark out your stitching, the wheel just makes it more convenient/faster.
 
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James w said:
Thx for the help so basically I already have grommets and rivets so could I some how rivet or grommet the leather together to form the loop? Or would it be better to just use an awl thread and needle ?
Also if I got this
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/sewing-awl-kit

I wouldn't need the needles right?
Click to expand...



I may be a bit confused (been doing taxes and my head is a bit fuddled), but you're gonna wanna rivet or use screw posts to attach the loop to your Kydex piece anyway. If you screw the leather straight to the sheath it's gonna flop around and annoy the crap out of you due to how low you have to attach on a Kydex sheath. I guess you could stitch it, but I certainly wouldn't wanna drill all those holes myself. If you're talking about the top loop of a setup like WK posted, then stitching should be fine there, though posts or rivets are easier IMO.

Here's one I made a week or so ago playing around. Given it's a bit sloppy and the backers should probably be swapped for Chicago screws.

attachment.php
 
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James w said:
Can I just use standard 1/4 kydex rivets for .080 thickness
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Ah, I think we're having a conflict of terminology. You're talking about what I call eyelets, I was thinking more of double cap rivets or such. Eyelets might be alright, but the #8-8 are gonna be too short.

If you just want a straight loop, I'd just grab some screw posts and be done with it. If you're looking to do a two-piece, the rivets or stitching will look a bit better on the top section, but I don't see any advantages beyond that. You'll still wanna take WK's advice on finishing and such if you wanna make it look nice. Just commenting mainly on the Kydex attachment part. The loop in my pic isn't leather, it's coated webbing, but the sheath attachment part should be similar.
 
So what would I need to do these "rivets". As not sure how good I'm at stitching
 
Just look on YouTube for "setting double cap rivets" or such. You should see the process and the few things you'd need. Tandy sells their "rapid rivets" with the setter for like $10. You'd need them long enough to reach through your leather and Kydex if you go that route.

Again, I'm no leather expert, so hopefully someone will interject if I've said anything too dumb.
 
Kiah said:
Again, I'm no leather expert, so hopefully someone will interject if I've said anything too dumb.
Click to expand...

And I have zero experience with kydex, so we may not be the best people to hand out advice about mating the two together ;)


To clarify: All of the stuff I posted for sewing and gluing is for attaching leather to leather. While I'm sure you could drill stitching holes in kydex, it doesn't sound like a good idea.
 
I dont know how I missed this!

Let me get a little more coffee in me and I'll get some advice together.

Now, one thing before I go, I dont heat mold kydex. I simply use it flat as a stiffener in my larger sheaths when requested. But I am sure the techniques will work across to a molded sheath.

Back in a bit!
 
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