Lining a Kydex sheath, who is doing it??

UCPOPO

UCPOPO

Joined
Dec 2, 2010
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I've been experimenting with lining Kydex sheaths as of late. I've made a few leather lined that were ok but not amazing. Just curious if anyone else is lining their kydex. Anyone tried felt or other materials? Thanks for any info.
 
Not really a good idea. Any lining will tend to trap moisture and debris, plus will be harder to clean inside of sheath.
 
The Winkler-Sayoc RnD Hawks have a felt lined kydex carrier. I don't have mine yet, but I suspect it makes the deployment more quiet. Maybe it keeps the kydex from scratching the finish on the head as well.
I can see how it could hold moisture, and for a woods knife or machete, that wouldn't be a good thing.
 
What if you lined it with a mousepad like material? I dont think that would trap moisture.... debris maybe?
 
There is always the chance of de-lamination, which I have seen first hand
 
Well I just finished up a leather lined kydex sheath on a small blade. I love the fit. Now working on some epoxy to seal the edges. I think this will be a nice offering. I love a kydex exterior for its ease of shaping and its durability but on a nice, custom blade I prefer leather to hold the blade.
 
David Brown said:
There is always the chance of de-lamination, which I have seen first hand
Click to expand...

Would rivets through the liner make a difference? Must be better than just being glued to the inside. I know it depends on the material, and the abrasivness of the knife during insertion, but at least the rivets might help keep the liner locked in around the edges.
 
foxx said:
The Winkler-Sayoc RnD Hawks have a felt lined kydex carrier. I don't have mine yet, but I suspect it makes the deployment more quiet. Maybe it keeps the kydex from scratching the finish on the head as well.
I can see how it could hold moisture, and for a woods knife or machete, that wouldn't be a good thing.
Click to expand...

Much like the kydex shrouded by the leather, the withdrawal noise is absorbed.
I would wipe my blades before re-sheath. For a user like a parang i always use in trail-blazing, it doesn't matter. I like the patinas...
 
I've used Moleskin on a few sheathes.
But only for knives that will never see any mud, water, etc.
I have a few self defense blades that I never use for general purpose.
The adhesive that they use is very strong and doesn't tend to slip at all, because it's designed to stay put while walking.
But Mike's right. It would suck if it ever got wet, or dirty.
And I've only used it on "pancake" style sheathes, because you'd never get it into a foldover.

http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/productSearch.do?method=doProductDetailsLookup&searchArg=67
 
Phatz said:
I've used Moleskin on a few sheathes.
But only for knives that will never see any mud, water, etc.
I have a few self defense blades that I never use for general purpose.
The adhesive that they use is very strong and doesn't tend to slip at all, because it's designed to stay put while walking.
But Mike's right. It would suck if it ever got wet, or dirty.
And I've only used it on "pancake" style sheathes, because you'd never get it into a foldover.
Click to expand...

Well, I actually did a fold over. I used some of the best 3mm glue I could find and some light leather and kydex. I ruffed up the kydex and glued the leather to the kydex. While the glue was still setting up (very important I think) I then heated the kydex quickly with a heathgun and put it in the press. It seems to be stuck together quite well in my opinion. I then finished it up with the rivots like would any other kydex sheath. The fit is perfect.
 
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David Brown said:
There is always the chance of de-lamination, which I have seen first hand
Click to expand...

I personally agree with David. After resheathing many times the friction of the knife in and out will usually ware on the leather and it will start to peel off the kydex. Safariland holsters have a material laminated to the inside of their holsters and I have seen it wear through to the kydex after hard use with the gun being resheathed over and over again.
 
I've done this once and it was a pain in the ass. OTOH, I've lined vegetable tanned leather sheaths with suede and and heard nothing but good things about them.
 
Hey Guys...

If it's being used for "noise suppression" which in some ways I can slightly understand, it can be done. However treated heavy leather should be used, as well as the absolute best "flexible" adhesive.

However you still have the risk of, as the pros said above "Trapping moisture, debris", "De-lamination" . It's just the chances of heavier treated leather will do these things.

The problems start when you start putting cheap ass leather and things like felt, fleece and whatever....If adding these things is to protect the blade from scratches, you may as well get a Plexiglas cabinet for it... and then use a knife that you trust and don't care if it gets a few scratches.. After all it's a field knife , it may as well look like it...

I understand that scratches are a problem to a lot of people, but look at it this way....

With a lined sheath. When you've been in a breeze that stirred up some dust. How do you get that Grit out ?

Wash it ? Will the material deteriorate, or De-laminate from the washing ? Is it Gonna Bunch Up ??

If you gotta worry about it... LOL Trust when we say "It Doesn't Work" for long.

Every time you re-sheath that knife you're going to ask yourself:

" Is this the day my liner is going to fall off, get ripped, or generally fail and bunch up in the bottom of my sheath?"

" I just drew my knife to cut a thread in the bathroom at the mall,, and now my knife won't re-sheath!! WTF am I going to do with the knife ??"

That day may never come, Lets hope it doesn't.....

ttyle

Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
 
Hi Eric,

Dude it is good to see you.

Normark said:
Hey Guys...

If it's being used for "noise suppression" which in some ways I can slightly understand, it can be done. However treated heavy leather should be used, as well as the absolute best "flexible" adhesive.

However you still have the risk of, as the pros said above "Trapping moisture, debris", "De-lamination" . It's just the chances of heavier treated leather will do these things.

The problems start when you start putting cheap ass leather and things like felt, fleece and whatever....If adding these things is to protect the blade from scratches, you may as well get a Plexiglas cabinet for it... and then use a knife that you trust and don't care if it gets a few scratches.. After all it's a field knife , it may as well look like it...

I understand that scratches are a problem to a lot of people, but look at it this way....

With a lined sheath. When you've been in a breeze that stirred up some dust. How do you get that Grit out ?

Wash it ? Will the material deteriorate, or De-laminate from the washing ? Is it Gonna Bunch Up ??

If you gotta worry about it... LOL Trust when we say "It Doesn't Work" for long.

Every time you re-sheath that knife you're going to ask yourself:

" Is this the day my liner is going to fall off, get ripped, or generally fail and bunch up in the bottom of my sheath?"

" I just drew my knife to cut a thread in the bathroom at the mall,, and now my knife won't re-sheath!! WTF am I going to do with the knife ??"

That day may never come, Lets hope it doesn't.....

ttyle

Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
Click to expand...
 
Hey, Eric! great seeing you here. You gonna be at WKCC in Novi end of April? Love to see you. Good seeing you too, David!
 
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