Kydex sheaths...

[madcap_magician]

I just got an Emerson La Griffe... I'm really impressed with the knife, but the sheath makes a little too solid of a lock on the knife. I had a S&W copy that wasn't any trouble at all and still stayed in its sheath, but this Emerson is proving to be a real pain in the ass. Any way to loosen the lock any?

 

[BuckyKatt]

You should be able to heat the sheath with a hair dryer to soften it. Be very, VERY careful while you do this, since it can easily heat too much and will release toxic fumes. A well-ventilated area is a must. Once it softens just a bit you can spread the opening just a tad (squeeze it like you'd open a coin purse, but VERY gently, not much force at all), then let it cool. If your touch is delicate enough you will find it much easier to pull from the sheath, but the trick is that it's real easy to loosen it too much, which will absolutely wreck the retention.

I know there are more knowledgeable folks around here who can chime in (Eric?), so please do so. I'm sure I've left out something crucial.

 

[Normark]

Hey Guys....

Bucky...

Thanks....

wait with the hairdryer for a bit...
The LaGriff can be a tricky little bugger to work with....

There isn't much for the knife to hold onto in that small of a sheath..Most skeletonized blades can be difficult to work with...

In this case,, there isn't too much advice I can offer you, however one thing...
If this doesn't work,, then heat may be your only alternative,, and if you "F" it up you may be SOL for a decent fitting sheath....

If you can live with it the way it is,, I suggest don't play with it...
However,, if you want to play around a little and see if you can get a smoother fit,, then go and get a can of "Snap" brand silicone spray.. The only stuff I use,, anything else,,and I can't tell you what will happen..

Spray a little on the blade both sides, shake off excess and insert into the sheath a few times... If this doesn't correct it,, then re-apply a couple more times..
What you are trying to achieve is a slight transfer of silicone from the blade to the sheath..

Overdoing it,, by spraying it inside the sheath (MAY) make the knife fall out of the sheath with a moderate bump or shake.. Not good....

You want to just lubricate the high spots or where it's sticking..More than likely in the top part of the finger hole...

These sheaths are mass produced,, so each one is going to be a slightly different fit from knife to knife..

Your S&W sheath is Zytel more than likely not knydex...

Anyway,, hope that works for you..Let us know how it turns out...

ttyle

Eric....

 

[BuckyKatt]

There we go, I knew Eric would have an answer for this one. Madcap, this guy knows his stuff. Ignore what I said, and do what he said.