- Joined
- Jan 19, 2004
- Messages
- 551
This post is long overdue.
I've been using Jeff and Mike's knives for almost 10 years now. I think I started with a TAK when they were just coming out-maybe '01 or '02? Those old ones were almost crude in comparison with how refined the new ESEE's are.
I've already posted how well I like the HEST and what abuse I've put it through so I won't rehash that here.
I'm not a huge fan of the kydex and molle stuff (no offense to you tactisexuals). It definitely has its place, and I've got a lot of it, but I'm more a traditionalist so I wanted to get a better sheath for the HEST; something in leather.
Some of you on this forum recommended Dwayne at armoralleather.com. After a few emails, Stacy helped me decide on what I wanted. I can't say enough nice things about them. The communication back from them was always instant and very helpful. Don't you hate it when you contact a company and they act like you're bothering them? Or you just never get a response? These guys aren't like that. At all. I was getting emails back within 24 hours, even on weekends. Impressive.
I was a little high maintenance about some features, particularly the fit of the knife in the sheath and the sheath to the belt. I like a VERY tight fit. I don't like knife slop and I can't stand to have a sheath that moves around on my belt like some flopping Barney Fife holster. So, I stressed to Stacy this point and they were more than happy to comply.
The belt loop for this sheath can come in both horizontal or vertical options and I always use vertical so I went with that. And I found my largest width belt and requested that the loop be no larger than that width. They handled my requests perfectly.
The final product fit and finish is great. Yes, I know the below pics are crappy--I only have a point and shoot and office flourescents with me right now. Some SLR pics will be forthcoming. But it gives you an idea of the knife in the sheath.
I am very happy with the outcome. The knife is a very tight fit in and out, which is what I wanted. I can take the sheath, turn it upside down and shake to my heart's content and it won't fall out. I typically don't like sheaths that bury so much of the knife's handle, leaving only a little bit exposed to gain a good purchase and draw, but that's where the HEST shines in these conditions--the prybar gives an excellent grip/leverage point to unsheath the knife. So, you get the best of both worlds--a deep, tight pocket for the knife but an easy draw even with wet and cold hands, due to the prybar.
The leather itself seems to be of decent quality. It still looks new even after being wet and carried on hunting and camping trips. My plan was to polish and put saddle soap on it as it got scratched and beat up. I love the patina that fine leather develops. But, I haven't had a need to put the first product on the sheath yet. How it looks today is how it looked when I got it about 6 months ago.
The price was also very reasonable in my opinion. I don't recall the exact amount now but I think it was in the $60-$70 range. Sure, more expensive than kydex but it looks a heck of a lot better to me. And a great price for what amounts to a custom built sheath. Wait time was a few weeks if I recall. Could be more or less now, I'm not sure.
Overall, I couldn't be happier about it. I still use the ESEE kydex for IWB carry if I want to conceal it, but for any other time, I use this sheath. I'll be wearing it this week on a hunting trip out to PA and I'll be wearing it next Spring during the RAT Wilderness Ops course.
My personal mark of a good product is: if it ever wears out or breaks, will I get the same thing or something different. I won't hesitate to buy the EXACT same sheath if I ever wear this one out. Doesn't look like that will happen any time soon, however.
So, Dwayne and Stacy, thanks a bunch! If you guys are looking for a leather sheath, go to www.armoralleather.com and have something made for your ESEE.
Here are some shots (higher quality ones to follow)
I've been using Jeff and Mike's knives for almost 10 years now. I think I started with a TAK when they were just coming out-maybe '01 or '02? Those old ones were almost crude in comparison with how refined the new ESEE's are.
I've already posted how well I like the HEST and what abuse I've put it through so I won't rehash that here.
I'm not a huge fan of the kydex and molle stuff (no offense to you tactisexuals). It definitely has its place, and I've got a lot of it, but I'm more a traditionalist so I wanted to get a better sheath for the HEST; something in leather.
Some of you on this forum recommended Dwayne at armoralleather.com. After a few emails, Stacy helped me decide on what I wanted. I can't say enough nice things about them. The communication back from them was always instant and very helpful. Don't you hate it when you contact a company and they act like you're bothering them? Or you just never get a response? These guys aren't like that. At all. I was getting emails back within 24 hours, even on weekends. Impressive.
I was a little high maintenance about some features, particularly the fit of the knife in the sheath and the sheath to the belt. I like a VERY tight fit. I don't like knife slop and I can't stand to have a sheath that moves around on my belt like some flopping Barney Fife holster. So, I stressed to Stacy this point and they were more than happy to comply.
The belt loop for this sheath can come in both horizontal or vertical options and I always use vertical so I went with that. And I found my largest width belt and requested that the loop be no larger than that width. They handled my requests perfectly.
The final product fit and finish is great. Yes, I know the below pics are crappy--I only have a point and shoot and office flourescents with me right now. Some SLR pics will be forthcoming. But it gives you an idea of the knife in the sheath.
I am very happy with the outcome. The knife is a very tight fit in and out, which is what I wanted. I can take the sheath, turn it upside down and shake to my heart's content and it won't fall out. I typically don't like sheaths that bury so much of the knife's handle, leaving only a little bit exposed to gain a good purchase and draw, but that's where the HEST shines in these conditions--the prybar gives an excellent grip/leverage point to unsheath the knife. So, you get the best of both worlds--a deep, tight pocket for the knife but an easy draw even with wet and cold hands, due to the prybar.
The leather itself seems to be of decent quality. It still looks new even after being wet and carried on hunting and camping trips. My plan was to polish and put saddle soap on it as it got scratched and beat up. I love the patina that fine leather develops. But, I haven't had a need to put the first product on the sheath yet. How it looks today is how it looked when I got it about 6 months ago.
The price was also very reasonable in my opinion. I don't recall the exact amount now but I think it was in the $60-$70 range. Sure, more expensive than kydex but it looks a heck of a lot better to me. And a great price for what amounts to a custom built sheath. Wait time was a few weeks if I recall. Could be more or less now, I'm not sure.
Overall, I couldn't be happier about it. I still use the ESEE kydex for IWB carry if I want to conceal it, but for any other time, I use this sheath. I'll be wearing it this week on a hunting trip out to PA and I'll be wearing it next Spring during the RAT Wilderness Ops course.
My personal mark of a good product is: if it ever wears out or breaks, will I get the same thing or something different. I won't hesitate to buy the EXACT same sheath if I ever wear this one out. Doesn't look like that will happen any time soon, however.
So, Dwayne and Stacy, thanks a bunch! If you guys are looking for a leather sheath, go to www.armoralleather.com and have something made for your ESEE.
Here are some shots (higher quality ones to follow)
I'm glad your enjoying that sheath. 
