Modifying the Spec Ops sheath kydex insert?

TrailWolf

TrailWolf

Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
2,809
Hey guys - picked up a few of the Spec Ops basic sheaths for my Busses (couldnt resist for $30) - I was totally surprised to find that all my blades are too wide to fit in the kydex liner (except my TMDSF)! Had heard so much talk about them and just assumed they would fit like a glove.

Did some research and now its obvious that they need to be modified...

First, how are you guys getting the insert out? I'm assuming you have to pop that rivet on the bottom? Is it easy to get it riveted back together?

Also, are you guys making new liners or did you just slit the back of the factory liner?

Any advice or tips would be awesome - thanks for the help!
 
At the bottom of the spec-ops sheath there should be a screw with a male and female end. Just unscrew and remove it and the liner should slide right out. As for fitting a knife to the liner some guys will put it in hot boiling water to soften it up insert blade and form fit it. Other guys use a heat gun, hope this helps. I'm sure the guys will chime in with other advice.
 
d762nato said:
At the bottom of the spec-ops sheath there should be a screw with a male and female end. Just unscrew and remove it and the liner should slide right out. As for fitting a knife to the liner some guys will put it in hot boiling water to soften it up insert blade and form fit it. Other guys use a heat gun, hope this helps. I'm sure the guys will chime in with other advice.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick reply - ugh I just realized that I have the basic modular sheath that has a rivet where the combat master has a screw... Didnt notice this difference when I ordered - thought the only diff was the accessory pocket.
 
Mine had no rivet. They all had screws. After unscrewing, the insert pulls out easily. As far as fitting, there are several methods. Most take heating with boiling water, hair dryer and oven. In the oven on a cookie sheet is my preferred method. Many will tell you one way works better than others, but experience and patience will help you find the best for you. I have modded quite a few and was able to mod up to a HHFSH in an original large Survival sheath kydex insert with a lot of patience.
I do know that some of the kydex folks on here can make custom inserts for you as well.
 
I'd drill the rivet out, fit the kydex, and then replace it with a chicago screw. What blades are you trying to fit? In some cases, you might need to cut a slit down the length of the insert to get thicker knives to fit (i.e. HHFSH, Ratweiler).
 
Thanks guys for the additional responses.

safetyman said:
I'd drill the rivet out, fit the kydex, and then replace it with a chicago screw. What blades are you trying to fit? In some cases, you might need to cut a slit down the length of the insert to get thicker knives to fit (i.e. HHFSH, Ratweiler).
Click to expand...

I'm trying to just make a universal wider insert - nothing fancy - but should be able to fit my NMSFNO, SARSquatch and SOD... None are thicker than .25".
 
BTW, several of us on here have posted our methods of modding these inserts. I am not sure what mine was called, but it had descriptions and pics. You do not need to cut the kydex inserts in order to work, but I have heard that they started using a cheaper plastic. So I am not sure how these heating methods would work on newer editions.
 
I know I had to cut mine in order to get my HH to fit. I tried fitting it without cutting but I couldn't get the insert to loosen up enough; so I cut a slit, and formed it to the blade (covered it in masking tape to give it a little wiggle room) and the fit was perfect.
 
safetyman said:
I know I had to cut mine in order to get my HH to fit. I tried fitting it without cutting but I couldn't get the insert to loosen up enough; so I cut a slit, and formed it to the blade (covered it in masking tape to give it a little wiggle room) and the fit was perfect.
Click to expand...

I destroyed 2 inserts before I got it right.:o It was very difficult, and if I had it to do again I would just buy a proper liner. But I would cut it to fit until I got one that fit properly.;):thumbup:
 
mymindisamob said:
I destroyed 2 inserts before I got it right.:o It was very difficult, and if I had it to do again I would just buy a proper liner. But I would cut it to fit until I got one that fit properly.;):thumbup:
Click to expand...

I did the same exact thing :). I toasted my first two inserts and had to scavenge my last one from another sheath. You know what they say, "Third time's the charm!"
 
This info is PERFECT!

Thank you guys very much - @safetyman, thank you very much for the links :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Doesnt look to difficult especially since I have a good heat gun and have experience making decent quality kydex sheaths...

I think I'm going to order a Combat Master sheath to start and hold off on popping the rivet on the Basic sheaths that I own...
 
The spec ops liner is very easily modified and molded. The screw is a simple chicago screw. I stick mine in the oven on about 300 until it is soft and flexible. I pull it out stick the knife in where I want it, put the kydex with knife between two old pieces of closed cell foam between 2 big books and stand on it for about a minute. After that you have a custom molded kydex sheath. I will try and post pics later. I need to take a bunch of pics today!
 
+ 1 on that! I did pretty much the exact same thing and my Chopweiler has been happy ever since.
 
of the different Busse's that I've had to modify the spec ops sheaths for, probably the best one that fits with no modifications was the Team Gemini. perfect fit with just the right friction
SANY2394.jpg
 
safetyman said:
I'd drill the rivet out, fit the kydex, and then replace it with a chicago screw. What blades are you trying to fit? In some cases, you might need to cut a slit down the length of the insert to get thicker knives to fit (i.e. HHFSH, Ratweiler).
Click to expand...

How far do you have to cut to get Ratweiler to fit? Do you have to heat and mold after cutting?

Thanks,
 
Here are some various busse's and rats I"ve converted Spec ops sheaths to fit. It's amazing how that plastic will stretch when heated; just make sure you do wrap three layers of duct tape around your blade to make it just a wee wider than needed so when the plastic hardens back, you will have some clearance and the plastic won't "grab" your blade and then your stuck.
Picture073.jpg

this one was a pain, had to redue it about 3 times to get it right.. as you can see by the plastic sheath at the top, it is very hard and shiney from heating. but it works.
SANY2383.jpg

SANY2382.jpg
 
I dug this old thread out of the grave to comment that I tried the method posted in the links here and it doesn't seem to work. One of the links mentions 375-400 degrees for 5-7 minutes....well my insert shrunk 2.5 inches and I was not able to bring it back. I just ordered a sheet of real Kydex hoping I'll have better luck. I hate getting something new and not being able to use it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top