Method of carry

Hi everyone,
I'd like to thank everyone for the warm welcome after my first message, I knew I'd found a good group, interested in kukuris and sharing knowledge with good sense of humor.
I was interested in finding out if anyone has expermented with kydex sheaths and a particular position of carry for some of the larger kuks say 17"-18" and up. I have a 18" WW II and I can't find a position that allows me to draw the knife, the sheath is a bit tight and that doesn't help but it's still new.::: thanks!
 
Thanks Bella & Uncle,
I'll experment a little more.
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Gary
 
Black Bear, depending on my activity, I either carry with the traditional scabbard simply tucked in my belt, cross-draw fashion, or worn on the belt behind my right hip. Here are RayC's instructions for a fast draw from this behind the hip position. FYI, the 18" WW II is my favorite & this draw works really well for me with it but it does require a scabbard that is not too snug.

I have some pix of a Kydex sheath I made for my 12" Sirupati. Although it's a small khuk, the design should work equally well for larger models. Retention is via friction fit with the lift-the-dot fastener & strap for added security. The combination of the two makes for a secure carry in any position. It's not pictured, but I use a Tek-Lok for fastening it to my belt or gear.


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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.

NOTE: My old PhotoPoint site is no more. Follow the "toys" link to my new site.
 
bcaffery, Thanks very much for the great info it was just what I was looking for. Great pics. Interesting kydex sheath. Looks like I have a new project to start.
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Don't Worry Be Happy!
Gary
 
Brian,

Who made your Kydex sheath? That looks like it would conceal very well...

Alan
 
I keep a 15" AK in my briefcase, though I could fit up to an 18" khukuri for CCW.

Staples and Office Max have all kinds of goodies for carrying concealed whether it is knives or guns.

-Dave
 
Alan, I cobbled the sheath myself. You're right that it does conceal very well. I have a bunch of assorted webbing left over from other projects & will eventually make a shoulder rig for it.

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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.

NOTE: My old PhotoPoint site is no more. Follow the "toys" link to my new site.
 
Thanks for the compliment, Bill.

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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.

NOTE: My old PhotoPoint site is no more. Follow the "toys" link to my new site.
 
Hi Everyone, This is what I love about this site. Show up with a ball and a bunch of folks show up and keep it rolling. Thanks for the input all. Take Care
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Don't Worry Be Happy!
Gary
 
:
WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!!!!
Brian I haven't looked at your khukuri pix before I don't believe.
That scabbard is Terrific!!!!

I'm still not too sure about kydex though, not enough experience with it too decide whether or not I truly like it.
Although I do like the fact that an edge or point is Not Likely to penetrate through
it.
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The one thing so far that I don't like is that it doesn't wear comfortably on the body, but that comes down to, "What are you willing to give up to get what you
want." (Yvsa Gigagei
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)
And like life sometimes sheath material is a compromise.
However I would much rather have the discomfort of a hard scabbard than the resulting possible wound from a softer sheath.

I have a few questions if you don't mind.
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Is it two pieces of kydex riveted together?
What did you use to heat the kydex to form it?
And what was the form that you used, the khukuri itself or a model?
Where did you aquire the small amount of material it too to make it and how was the price of the material?
And perhaps the last one....
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would you give a step by step description, when you have the time, as to how it was made so that I might be able to make one someday and the information will be here in the forum or archive so it could be printed off.

Perhaps Howard could put the info in the FAQ if it isn't already.
I think it would have a place there for sure.

Many Thanks!!!!

Oh and another thing....
That's an absolutely Beautiful patina you have on the one khukuri!!!!
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May I ask what you used to get the patina?


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Yvsa.

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Thanks for your kind words, AC. Black Bear, I definitely agree with you about this being a great site. I don't have the time or, frankly, the interest to read each & every forum anymore but this one is still a regular stop.

Thanks very much, Yvsa. Compliments from a master craftsman such as yourself could swell my head... beyond its normal melon-size.
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While I really don't like the aesthetics of Concealex/Kydex sheaths, I do find myself choosing them more & more for my fixed blades. They can mar blade finishes & may not always carry as comfortably as traditional ones but they are highly functional. I am a real amateur when it comes to making synthetic sheaths but there has been some great advice on the subject in the Shop Talk forum, most recently here. Nevertheless, I'll try to answer your questions based on what I did.

> Is it two pieces of kydex riveted together?

At this point, yes, but it started out as a single sheet folded using the flat part of the spine as the middle line. After molding, I first trimmed and put the eyelets in on the edge side. I then did the same to the dropped portion of the spine side. Finally, I slit the piece of Kydex by the flat of the spine. I had hoped to be able to form the plastic in that area so that the blade would snap into place. I played with it a bit but couldn't get it to work right so I wound up trimming the material flush with the edges of the spine. FYI, the eyelet immediately after the spine opening caused the sheath to hold the blade too snugly. I replaced it with a Chicago screw so I would be able to adjust the tension. (BTW, I used 0.093 grade Kydex. A lighter grade, 0.080 or 0.060, would probably have formed more easily.)

> What did you use to heat the kydex to form it?

I put the sheet of Kydex on a flat cookie sheet & heated it in the kitchen oven. IIRC, it was at 325 F for about 4-5 minutes. A couple of cautionary notes: When over-heated, Kydex can give off noxious fumes. Make sure the work area is well ventilated and do not over-heat the material. Over-heating can also cause the material to deform. BTW, I have had very good success tweaking the fit on synthetic sheaths using a heat gun. In fact, one of the posters in Shop Talk mentioned using one as the sole heat source. Whatever the heat source, be sure to use gloves to protect your hands from the heat.

My "press" was nothing more than 2 towels, folded to about one inch thick each, and 2 cutting boards. I placed the hot Kydex on the first towel & board, folded it over the knife, and added the second towel & board on top. I then put this "sandwich" on the floor and stood on it for about 5 minutes, adding pressure by pulling up with my hands against a counter. This is NOT the pros' recommended way of forming Kydex. I made do with what I had on hand & it worked for me.

> And what was the form that you used, the khukuri itself or a model?

I used the khuk itself, covered with about 4-5 layers of masking tape.

> Where did you aquire the small amount of material it too to make it and how was the price of the material?

I didn't buy it, per se. I got the material as part of a multi-piece trade from a professional sheath maker. You might want to check out this thread in Shop Talk. Some folks are getting together to split an order.

> May I ask what you used to get the patina?

Basically, I used lemon juice & lime juice. I wrapped the blade in a paper towel & saturated it with one juice & let it sit for a while (maybe 1/2 hour or so). I then repeated the process with the second juice & finally wiped the blade down with the wet paper towel. I said "basically" because I may have also used an onion &/or mayonnaise. (I've done a few carbon steel blades & vary things a bit sometimes depending on what I have on hand.)

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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.

NOTE: My old PhotoPoint site is no more. Follow the "toys" link to my new site.

[This message has been edited by bcaffrey (edited 06-29-2001).]
 
:
Thanks Brian, really good answers!!!!
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For now I prefer the standard scabbards, but am considering doing away with the brass chapes and replaceing them with more user friendly leather, just another thing on my "To Do" list.
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And if I do that one day it will be on my using khukuris only.
And in spite of their inconvenience the silver chapes will remain in place. There's just something about patinated silver ya know.
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Yvsa.

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
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