Leather-Covered Kydex

[Burchtree]

I've got a small fixed blade that I'd like to make a kydex for, and cover it with a thin "exotic" leather. Any tips on doing this? Why type of adhesive should I use to attach the thin leather to the kydex?

Thanks!

 

[leatherman]

I've been told by those that 'know' that a good contact cement works very well, just be sure to rough up the kydex for a good tooth for the glue to hold on to. I use a coarse sandpaper to do it.

Hope this helps, and please send pics when your done!!

 

[Burchtree]

Thanks -- I plan on doing a "pouch style" kydex sheath. Do you know if the leather is just glued on, or is the leather tucked between the kydex before it's riveting together?

The pics will depend on how it turns out.

 

[leatherman]

Hum, not sure. I'll ask and see. I would assume its not tucked in, but simply glued on then riveted.

One to ask is Jens Anso, he is continually doing the leather/kydex sheaths and he really knows his stuff.

 

[RokJok]

Michael, There is a leather-clad kydex sheath tutorial from Jens Anso here on BFC that is linked below.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227482

 

[Normark]

Hey Guys...

This is how I would do it....

Once the leather is applied to the kydex sheath, and is dry with no chance of moving...
Mark your stitch holes the same way you would with a plain leather sheath(little spiked roller)
Then put it in a drill press with a very fine,,tiny drill..
Punch the drill bit through both leather and kydex, then stich as needed..

ttyle

Eric...

 

[Daniel Koster]

...which is exactly how I do it. (not that I'm anywhere near as good as Eric is...)

I've found there are several ways to tackle this.

1 - use rivets just like regular kydex
2 - stitch the edge, like a pouch sheath, kydex exposed on the edge
3 - stitch the edges, like a pancake-style sheath, no kydex exposed
4 - make a leather "sock" which is sewn up the backside of the sheath, no kydex exposed.

Personally, I like to use the kydex as a liner and don't like to see it, so I go for #3 and #4

I'm sure there are probably more ways to do it, these are just the ones I have tried. I did a tutorial on #3 - link in my sig. line below.

 

[Burchtree]

Thanks everyone for your comments -- we'll see how it turns out tonight!

Eric -- did you ever get my e-mail about the kydex, or is that a trade secret?