Kydex!

After much promting and prodding from several of my knife customers, I have agreed to start making Kydex/Concealex sheaths! It's not that I don't like Kydex, I have just always worked with leather. I considered "farming out" the Kydex work to those that specialize in it, but..... I have total control of everything I produce now including heat treating and I would like to keep it that way!
I have all the equipment I need to produce the sheaths, however I am looking for a few sources. The companies that produce large pieces and high volumes of molded Kydex use a rather dense foam to form the hot plastic with over the molds. Also, I need a source for aluminum and stainless "SEX SCREWS". Man, what you will find when you do a web search on that one!! I have been making my own Titanium screws for my prototype sheaths and am hoping my customers wont be expecting those! Any other information concerning Kydex would be greatly appreciated......
 
Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
Just as long as you don't get into the aftermarket realm, I suppose I can help you out...
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For the Kydex itself, you'll need to contact a local plastics distributor. Typical price for a 4' x 8' sheet of 0.093" (3/32") is around $100 plus tax. You can get Concealex through Blade-Tech, although I haven't had the best of luck dealing with that company over email. Also you can order the stainless (black) Chicago screws there. Judging by the way they have the prices listed, it sounds like you buy the aluminum posts and the screw heads separately, so assume $20 per 100 complete screw sets. I have a source for aluminum ones, but in all honesty the black ones look better since most people go for that tactical look. I am partial to my dwindling supply of gray colored Kydex coupled with aluminum screws, but that black crap is in, so i have to accommodate!
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If you want aluminum screws, I can give you my source info...they also do anodized screws in several colors that look good, but they are pretty pricy when it's all added up. Slightly more than Blade-Tech's stainless ones. Blade-Tech also has their foam, although I've never used it. I found my own source, and since I do one sheath at a time, I don't have to bother with presses and molds and all that garbage. 100% handmade is the way to go, but when you are producing numbers it would obviously take too much time. The rest is just practice, practice, practice! Every one I make gets better than the last...

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My Custom Kydex Sheath pagehttp://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
 
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