Kydex with Ti bolsters

[Harden Knives]

Hey guys,

Quick question for you, I am working on this knife with titanium bolsters And have them mirror polished but the sheath I made keeps scratching them up, they are easy to buff up but it will be a continual problem for the customer. I tried a satin finish but that doesn't work either.

Now for all you sheath makers out there: I was wondering if I could do some sort of fabric lining to keep the Kydex away from the bolsters around that area. If that doesn't work what should I try?

thanks in advance,
Alex.

 

[AVigil]

Put 3 pieces of blue tape on the bolsters.

Insert the knife into the sheath.

Take a heat gun and warm the area of concern. This will expand the kydex due to the tape.

Let cool and check.

Repeat if necessary

 

[elementfe]

Leather is probably a much more friendly material for soft liners such as buckskin, though that's not what you asked. I don't know about lining kydex, since I only use it on very practical EDC knives.

 

[Harden Knives]

Put 3 pieces of blue tape on the bolsters.

Insert the knife into the sheath.

Take a heat gun and warm the area of concern. This will expand the kydex due to the tape.

Let cool and check.

Repeat if necessary

Thanks man. That's what I thought of at first but wanted to try something different although I might just go that route.

 

[S.Alexander]

You could try gluing some thin leather pieces to the inside of the sheath where the bolster is making contact. I haven't heard of others trying it, but why not be the first? I would dry fit it first.
Here is some technical data for gluing kydex:

http://www.kydex.com/technical-data/FAQs.aspx

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Every kydex sheath I've made after the first has had felt liners. A little spray adhesive on the felt and fit inside the sheath before pressing works great. Cut it a little smaller than the final sheath size, so the fabric doesn't stick out the edges.

 

[mete]

The other way is to keep the sheath and knife clean. If not sand and other grit will get into the sheath ,get imbedded into it and scratch the knife .

 

[silver_pilate]

Leather lining is easy enough. Scuff up the kydex and use contact adhesive. I did this on a Harwell clone hybrid sheath I built for a my XDs. It both protects the finish and quiets the action:







It has a much better metal clip now and has worked great as a EDC rig for well over a year now.

Grit in the sheath is the primary drawback of kydex. Leather lining helps reduce it. I've not tried felt, but I've experienced some grit/debris retention with felt in other sheaths. Of course, leather has the same problem. Keep it clean.

--nathan