Mike from River City Sheaths

Larry Turko said:
Thanks Kohai999, I'll contact Kiah S.
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You won't be sorry.

I hate kydex, but went on a neck knife bender last year, and needed kydex for about 5 knives. Contacted a Forumite that is well regarded for kydex and it was 2 weeks before he even replied...that did not bode well for the work I was expecting.

Kiah made me GREAT sheaths, and was very responsive, and his prices made me wonder if he was even making $5.00 an hour, and he earned my trust.

Don't know what else to say.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
First off, thanks for the kind words STeven.

As with most of us, I have times where I'm not busy and I get stuff out ASAP and respond to emails pronto, and I have times, as several can attest to, where I'm slow as heck and miss communications in mass. It happens. I've been extremely lucky to have some of the best customers I could ask for, that not only forgive my slowness during those times, but appreciate the time I put into their sheaths enough to come back again and again.

As for Mike, he's a master at what he does. If I ever got tired of pressing my own plastic, I'd go straight to him for my sheathwork. 8 months is a very long time to wait, but I wouldn't hesitate to trust he has good reason for whatever the holdup is. If he may not be getting the messages you're sending, try PMing him here as an alternate path.
 
Kiah said:
As for Mike, he's a master at what he does. If I ever got tired of pressing my own plastic, I'd go straight to him for my sheathwork. 8 months is a very long time to wait, but I wouldn't hesitate to trust he has good reason for whatever the holdup is. If he may not be getting the messages you're sending, try PMing him here as an alternate path.
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1. Kiah, it's PLASTIC sheathmaking.....both the learning curve and the production of kydex sheaths is not rocket science....IF my wife didn't hate the fumes...I'd make my own...but she does, and so, I prefer that you do my work....Saying Mike Sastre is a master of what he does is like saying _________ is a master of tactical paracord lanyard production....as far as I am concerned...it comes down to quality product and good customer service...if one or the other is not satisfied, "mastery" is inconsequential.

2. 8 months is laughable. I wait 8 months for a knife.....maybe 8 WEEKS for a sheath....IF the sheath maker I desire to work with me is not available to craft the work in 8 weeks ESPECIALLY for kydex sheaths, I'll find someone who is. Paul Long(who is a leather working MASTER) turns sheaths around in about two weeks, and sets a bar for others to shoot for. They invariably fail to meet that level, but some come close.

3. I personally don't want to deal with people who have ANY communication issues. Life is simply too short. Get 'er done is a good mantra....and surrounding yourself with people who piss excellence is a good way to live life.:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
You have a way of breaking it down to the basics, bro. My playing devil's advocate sometimes backfires on me. :D

Yeah, "master" may have been poor wording. No, it's not rocket science, but some are better at the details than others, and that's mainly to do with time and little tidbits you pick up as you go. I know when I started dabbling, my sheaths were crap. They got a bit better everyday, and hopefully will continue to do so.

That said, yeah 8 months is a bit out there. 8 weeks is a bit out there IMO as well. I have took 8 weeks to get a sheath where it was supposed to be a couple of times, but it was due to miscommunication on my part, and not that it took me 8 weeks to get to it.

and surrounding yourself with people who piss excellence is a good way to live life.
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The picture in my head probably doesn't match yours. :D

All that said, if you're getting fumes heating Kydex, you're doing it wrong. :p
 
I will throw in my .02 cents

If you are looking for leather sheaths that are of the FINEST QUALITY and craftsmanship I would use Paul Long. Paul makes all my sheaths.

I would also suggest for kydex Kiah. Although I have not used him personally I have seen ans admired his work and also admire his ethics and business principles.

Why wait? i have heard over the years people complaining for years about Mikes poor communication. i am amazed he still is in business. If you want the best the two above mentionrf corks are the best.
 
Kiah said:
That said, yeah 8 months is a bit out there. 8 weeks is a bit out there IMO as well. I have took 8 weeks to get a sheath where it was supposed to be a couple of times, but it was due to miscommunication on my part, and not that it took me 8 weeks to get to it.
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I think it is reasonable to factor in certain "wiggle" room for time delays, especially if making sheaths is not a full time gig.....keyword "certain".....long delays are certainly not cool, without a real valid reason, like being in a coma.
Kiah said:
The picture in my head probably doesn't match yours. :D
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Kiah said:
All that said, if you're getting fumes heating Kydex, you're doing it wrong. :p
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Probably got the kydex too hot, but there was certainly an unpleasant aroma in the house.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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I'd like to toss out another kind word for Kiah. Great products at sweet prices with reasonable delivery times. What more could a fellow ask for? And he can be reached either thru bladeforums' PM system or by email. I have a SWICK sheath inbound from him right now. The last sheath I got from him was for a SWICK also (the warncliff version) and the retention vs draw effort is such a sweet balance. You could toss that thing off a bridge and the knife would stay in it, yet the draw is smooth and well... Perfect! It also has a thumb area for sheath push-off. Very well thought out and well executed.

Score a SWICK while they last (limited production), then order a Kiah sheath. You won't be disappointed. :)
 
Kohai999 said:
1. Kiah, it's PLASTIC sheathmaking.....both the learning curve and the production of kydex sheaths is not rocket science....IF my wife didn't hate the fumes...I'd make my own...but she does, and so, I prefer that you do my work....Saying Mike Sastre is a master of what he does is like saying _________ is a master of tactical paracord lanyard production....as far as I am concerned...it comes down to quality product and good customer service...if one or the other is not satisfied, "mastery" is inconsequential.
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I think you are grossly undestimating the difference between decades of experience and your own tinkerings in your home.

Apart from that, my own experience with Mike Sastre is nothing but positive. His log has approx 90 day wait. Well worth it IMO.

If you have CC SD needs, give Mike a call about his draw point and Southern Comfort sheaths. He is very passionate about blades and has good advice for any level of enthusiast. Very much an advocate of DIY, and the origin of his successful business career.

@OP, have patience and give him another call.
 
GrinderMcgee said:
I think you are grossly undestimating the difference between decades of experience and your own tinkerings in your home.

Apart from that, my own experience with Mike Sastre is nothing but positive. His log has approx 90 day wait. Well worth it IMO.

@OP, have patience and give him another call.
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And I think it is grossly irresponsible to advocate for a sheath maker who lags in communication, and apparently, customer service.

You are of course, entitled to your opinion, as am I.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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