I would like to invite some comments regarding the choice of a Kydex or a leather sheath for an EDC Busse Active Duty (not that the type of knife has any bearing on the discussion). I know there are pros and cons to each. I am going to have a sheath made and I would like to make an informed choice. Thanks for the input.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Kydex vs Leather
- Thread starter excranium
- Start date
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2002
- Messages
- 21,094
That's very durable really, if you take care of it and INFI is very rust resistant to say the least. It's really up to you though I just don't like plastic sheaths personally.
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,492
There's a few folks out there making sheathes that have a leather lining and/or leather covering over kydex. The few I've seen have a Teklok. Secures the knife for inverted carry and has the leather we all love.
einsteinjon
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,859
I'm not going to make a suggestion one way or the other, but here's some observations to consider (after typing the stuff below it looks like my slight bias toward kydex is showing though lol)...
I definitely agree with nc526 that kydex can be carried closer to your body. In some instances though, if you have a large Tek-Lok for belt carry, you'll probably break about even in overall thickness with a leather sheath. If you have no clip and want to pocket carry, the kydex will likely be slimmer.
I don't carry a fixed blade for EDC anymore, but when I did I used leather. The reason was that I kept it in my front pocket and it was more comfortable throughout the day rather than the hard kydex. I would imagine this would be a similar situation if you were to belt carry.
Depending on what kinds of situations you are coming across, kydex will be much more forgiving and lower maintenance than leather. If you come into contact with dirt, mud, water, etc on a regular basis the kydex will be more like new condition for a longer period of time. It is a lot easier to clean b/c you can just rinse it with water or soap and water and it is good to go. Leather has to be well maintained and carefully cleaned.
Some people say that kydex scratches a blade quicker, which is definitely true. But if you have a user, the light surface scuffing, or "scratches," won't matter much. I've also found that the likelihood of getting debris in the sheath that scratches the blade is more likely in leather b/c the inside of the sheath is rougher than kydex, and dirt can cling to it easier. You can get leather sheaths with smoothed insides, but that'll probably be more expensive. Still harder to clean too.
Hope that helps.
I definitely agree with nc526 that kydex can be carried closer to your body. In some instances though, if you have a large Tek-Lok for belt carry, you'll probably break about even in overall thickness with a leather sheath. If you have no clip and want to pocket carry, the kydex will likely be slimmer.
I don't carry a fixed blade for EDC anymore, but when I did I used leather. The reason was that I kept it in my front pocket and it was more comfortable throughout the day rather than the hard kydex. I would imagine this would be a similar situation if you were to belt carry.
Depending on what kinds of situations you are coming across, kydex will be much more forgiving and lower maintenance than leather. If you come into contact with dirt, mud, water, etc on a regular basis the kydex will be more like new condition for a longer period of time. It is a lot easier to clean b/c you can just rinse it with water or soap and water and it is good to go. Leather has to be well maintained and carefully cleaned.
Some people say that kydex scratches a blade quicker, which is definitely true. But if you have a user, the light surface scuffing, or "scratches," won't matter much. I've also found that the likelihood of getting debris in the sheath that scratches the blade is more likely in leather b/c the inside of the sheath is rougher than kydex, and dirt can cling to it easier. You can get leather sheaths with smoothed insides, but that'll probably be more expensive. Still harder to clean too.
Hope that helps.
This is good information. I think I am partial the organic feel of leather and the way it breaks in and wears over time. Kydex will probably look the same after 10 years which could be an advantage, it may offer better retention over the years. The kydex is probably the practical choice. Decisions, decisions.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2008
- Messages
- 7,923
Infi is moderately rust resistant. I have never seen it advertised as a stainless of any type.
For some applications I like Kydex, some leather. I like leather for a hanging sheath and kydex for IWB or crossdraw.
For a field knife, leather holds water, but can be made water resistant with Nikwax and the like. It forms more easily, doe's break in, and will eventually get quite flexible, like it or not. The sheath itself must be welted on any edge, and retaining straps eventually loosen or, if not properly thought out, get cut off.
Kydex retains it shape, can be molded to retain the knife, can be cut to as trim a shape if the right rivets are used, does come in colors and finishes, and can be had in laminates that look like something else. They can be much less noisy if that is a problem - but if noise was that acute, I have to ask why the American bayonet is a stiff laminate like old helmet liners. Stiffness and protection from the blade comes first, which is an advantage for Kydex.
I have a kydex sheath for my Camp Tramp with tec lock, and far prefer it to the old floppy sheaths I used carrying Gerber MK 2's, hunting knives, or large lockbacks. Leather sheathes always seem to allow the knife to rock, cut up the leather, and eventually fall out - which has happened to my hunting companions on more than one occasion. Considering most old world or eastern combat and utility blades were often carried in metal or wooden scabbards, I don't have much confidence in leather.
Leather is just an economical substitute for a proper sheath.
Kydex retains it shape, can be molded to retain the knife, can be cut to as trim a shape if the right rivets are used, does come in colors and finishes, and can be had in laminates that look like something else. They can be much less noisy if that is a problem - but if noise was that acute, I have to ask why the American bayonet is a stiff laminate like old helmet liners. Stiffness and protection from the blade comes first, which is an advantage for Kydex.
I have a kydex sheath for my Camp Tramp with tec lock, and far prefer it to the old floppy sheaths I used carrying Gerber MK 2's, hunting knives, or large lockbacks. Leather sheathes always seem to allow the knife to rock, cut up the leather, and eventually fall out - which has happened to my hunting companions on more than one occasion. Considering most old world or eastern combat and utility blades were often carried in metal or wooden scabbards, I don't have much confidence in leather.
Leather is just an economical substitute for a proper sheath.
Actually the steel does make a difference. Leather requires more care to avoid corrosion problems with less corrosion-resistant blades. INFI does pretty well in this respect though, so not much of an issue in this case.
I prefer plastic for its practicality most of the time. I also like the way it can be made to index very positively.
If you're going to be carrying the knife around town, using it at work, etc., you might want to consider sound. Plastic has kind of a tactical click when the knife indexes, whereas leather is quiet. Really, plastic has a bit of a tactical ambiance, and leather lends more of a traditional feel. So that might be something to think about.
I prefer plastic for its practicality most of the time. I also like the way it can be made to index very positively.
If you're going to be carrying the knife around town, using it at work, etc., you might want to consider sound. Plastic has kind of a tactical click when the knife indexes, whereas leather is quiet. Really, plastic has a bit of a tactical ambiance, and leather lends more of a traditional feel. So that might be something to think about.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2007
- Messages
- 504
I think leather looks a hell of a lot nicer. But, most of the knives I buy dont come with sheaths, so make my own. Kydex is cheaper and easier to work with. And I could not care less about a couple scratches on my blade. Kydex is also maintainance free.
IF i had enough money for leather or have someone custom make me sheaths, I would instantly choose leather.
Corrosion isnt a big thing for me. A little oil on the blade should prevent corrosion. You shouldn't store your knives in the sheaths anyway.
IF i had enough money for leather or have someone custom make me sheaths, I would instantly choose leather.
Corrosion isnt a big thing for me. A little oil on the blade should prevent corrosion. You shouldn't store your knives in the sheaths anyway.
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2006
- Messages
- 892
I will always prefer leather over Kydex.
