My first kydex sheath....

[adaman04]

Here she is, my first kydex sheath. I had been wanting to play with this stuff for a while and a while back I ordered some supplies from knifekits.

The other night I cut a 4x4" piece to play with as far as heating it, etc. I figured out how hot I could get it and what happens when you get it too hot (the edges get shiny and wavy, etc.)

I figured instead of tossing the piece I'd try to use it for something. I learned some stuff along the way:

1. Don't skimp on the kydex. Give yourself plenty to work with. I didn't.
2. In the oven at 275 for about 5 mins works pretty well (thanks Shotty)
3. Take your time and plan it all out and finish it well.
4. I didn't get the molding detail I wanted, I'll have to play with that in the future.
5. I might cut it down some at the handle.
6. Playing with kydex is pretty fun.

I'm no Hoopster or Shotgunner11, but a first attempt I didn't think it came out too bad. I welcome any and all feedback. I'll probably drill a neck lanyard hole.

 

[Vermilion]

Looks pretty good to me. :thumbup:

 

[shotgunner11]

Looking good Adam!

 

[berandom]

Nice work! I've been wanting to order some from knifekits and try it out myself.

Shotgunner, is it preferable to heat the kydex in an oven or will a heat gun work just as well?

Thanks

 

[adaman04]

Nice work! I've been wanting to order some from knifekits and try it out myself.

Shotgunner, is it preferable to heat the kydex in an oven or will a heat gun work just as well?

Thanks

The oven will heat it evenly and chance overheating it is less. That's how I messed up the edges on mine. Hard to heat it evenly.

 

[hoopster]

Very nice first try. I do most of my heating in a toaster oven and do spot heating and minor tweaks with the heat gun. I actually try to heat closer to 300F because the more flexible kydex seems to mold in better detail but you do have to watch for overheating more. 275-300F seems ideal.
What are you cutting and shaping with Adaman? I do my rough cutting with a pair of hand plant pruners then most shaping with a bench grinder unless it's finer work that requires a dremel bit.
I see more kydex projects in your future

 

[gundude73]

that looks good man, the only thing that could go wrong, if you wanna call it that, would be compatibility with scales, but besides that it looks great :thumbup:

 

[actionshooter38]

Great first effort. I keep thinking about gettin g some kydexs myself and giving it a try. Thanks for posting.

 

[adaman04]

Very nice first try. I do most of my heating in a toaster oven and do spot heating and minor tweaks with the heat gun. I actually try to heat closer to 300F because the more flexible kydex seems to mold in better detail but you do have to watch for overheating more. 275-300F seems ideal.
What are you cutting and shaping with Adaman? I do my rough cutting with a pair of hand plant pruners then most shaping with a bench grinder unless it's finer work that requires a dremel bit.
I see more kydex projects in your future

Thanks hoopster, I appreciate the comments from good kydex benders like you and shotgunner and the like. I was actually going to try it at 300 next time to see how my oven handles the .08 at a slightly higher temp. More detail is more better for me.

I scored and snapped it for the original cut, set my eyelets, then marked and cut the shape with a hacksaw. I finished the shape with a 1/3 sheet sander with 100 and 220 grit paper. I'm a tool guy but I'm still building my collection. I'd like to get a band saw and belt sander or bench grinder.

I already have plans for my next experiment. I need to get a decent press built. I got excited and just stood on this one inside a GI camp mat.

that looks good man, the only thing that could go wrong, if you wanna call it that, would be compatibility with scales, but besides that it looks great :thumbup:

Thanks GD, if (read when ) I get scales I'll have to shorten it at the top.

Great first effort. I keep thinking about gettin g some kydexs myself and giving it a try. Thanks for posting.

Thanks as38!

 

[hoopster]

I'm a tool guy but I'm still building my collection. I'd like to get a band saw and belt sander or bench grinder.

I bought a belt sander thinking I'd use it but still do all my finish sanding by hand. Usually 100-150 grit, then 400 after the bench grinder stone and wire wheel for the edge bevels. I'd love to have a band saw, we have one at work but I try to keep the kydex at home.

 

[berandom]

How large do you order your sheets of kydex hoopster? Your work with kydex is amazing btw, how long have you been at it?

Thanks.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Looks great! Way better than my first attempt.

 

[Doc13]

Not too shabby Adam.Keep up the good work:thumbup:

 

[SuicideFO]

Very nice and simple...alot better than my first!!!

Matt

 

[adaman04]

Thanks guys. I will say I personally prefer pancake style sheaths that are symmetrical over fold-overs. Just a look I've always liked. But again, I figured I'd try this piece on something instead of tossing it.

One question for our kydex guys. Since ovens vary, I'm wondering if I didn't have it hot enough. I used the wife's oven (looks over shoulder) set at 275 and actually put it in there a couple different tries for over 5 minutes on the last try. It was "floppy" but when I folded it over the knife, there was some tension like it was wanting to spring back to original shape. Is this common with .08" kydex or do I need to up the temp a bit and give it a little longer? Thinking that might be where I lost some detail.

 

[texastonydobbs]

I think you did great....

 

[hoopster]

How large do you order your sheets of kydex hoopster? Your work with kydex is amazing btw, how long have you been at it?

Thanks.

Either 12"x12" or 12x24. Thanks for the compliment, I've been playing with kydex for under a year so far. I'm trying not to get burnt out since I do have a full time job but I do enjoy the finished products.

 

[hoopster]

Thanks guys. I will say I personally prefer pancake style sheaths that are symmetrical over fold-overs. Just a look I've always liked. But again, I figured I'd try this piece on something instead of tossing it.

One question for our kydex guys. Since ovens vary, I'm wondering if I didn't have it hot enough. I used the wife's oven (looks over shoulder) set at 275 and actually put it in there a couple different tries for over 5 minutes on the last try. It was "floppy" but when I folded it over the knife, there was some tension like it was wanting to spring back to original shape. Is this common with .08" kydex or do I need to up the temp a bit and give it a little longer? Thinking that might be where I lost some detail.

It sounds like you needed to get it hotter. Try 295F and let it preheat some first. 4 min might be all you need at that temp. Be very careful using your wife's oven. If you melt or burn some the smell will be even worse.

 

[Vic303]

Looks nice! I need to get playing around with a sheet of kydex I have...I think I have all the other bits necessary to make a sheath.

 

[adaman04]

Thanks TTD.

I'll try it a little warmer and experiment with it Hoopster. At 275 there was no odor, but when I overheated the edges with the heat gun when I was first playing with it, there was a slight funk. Toaster oven in my future. Need to find a deal on one at a yard sale.