Kydex thickness options

Joined
Mar 22, 2010
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I notice some places offer several thicknesses of kydex. When would you use each thickness? I know that the thickest would be the safest and the thinnest the lightest, but when do you go thin and when thick?
 
I'm no pro but here's my experience.

On a small to average size knife I'd use the thinest. It gives you the most definition, easy to work with and is plenty strong.

I leave the thickest for big heavy knives where you need the extra retention.

I use the thick .09 for belt loops and other attachments that will be stressed back and forth.

I always sand and buff the edges to help prevent tearing.
 
I use .080 almost exclusively for sheaths, the .090-.093 is good for clips and loops and I don't use .060 much at all.
Retention depends not just on the stiffness of the kydex, but how tightly the sheath is molded, the knife itself and the "interference surfaces" that it presents to the sheath, and fastener placement as well, so these things may affect which thickness works best for you but I think my useage is pretty typical.
 
Only thing I have used so far is the .80,seems to me to be the best thickness.If I ever get a hold of a Busse Battle Mistress I may go with the .93
 
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