I am about to try and make my first Kydex sheath and would appreciate a bit of help. First off, I am trying to make one for my CRKT Kasper folder. I understand that Kydex has to be heated to around 400 degrees to become soft enough to work. So, if I wrap the handle of my knife with a layer of aluminum foil, will the Zytel scales be damaged by the hot Kydex? Also, as to heating the Kydex, can I just place it on a scrap piece of aluminum or steel plate (or an old cookie sheet?) and heat in my oven? Or will it stick? Once it is hot, will I just be able to mold it around the handle (wearing heavy leather gloves) or is there some trick to this? Is there any commercially available glue (preferably one that will not cause instant brain damage or destroy skin!) that will work on Kydex or do I have to use rivets? Finally, I am planning on this being a neck sheath and would like to "soften" the surface of the Kydex so that it is a bit more comfortable against the skin. Is this possible? Or should I try gluing a piece of cotton or suede to it? Thanks in advance for ay help!
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Need Help Making My First Kydex Sheath
- Thread starter maury
- Start date
When I made Kydex sheaths in the past, I used a PVC Thermo Foam, it was about 2.5" thick and I glued it to two pieces of 2" X 6" X 18".
I first use 2" wide masking tape (3 or 4 layers) on both sides of the knife blade. If you don't do this, you will really scratch up your blade.
I use my wife's oven to heat up my Kydex. You will need to experiment with the temperature. For 1/16" thick I used about 310 degrees, and I think I used 325 degrees for 3/32". If you get it too hot, it will stick together. And, if you don't get it hot enough, it will not form to the shape of the knife. Anyway, since that Kydex is really hot, I wear cotton gloves.
After the Kydex is limp from the heat, I lay it on the piece of foam. I then place the knife on the Kydex, and then I fold the Kydex over. You need to leave an ample amount of extra Kydex. Don't try to save material. I then take the other piece of Foam and place it on top of the Kydex, that I wrapped over my knife. I then stand on the top board and
rock my feet. This makes the Kydex form to the knife blade and handle.
In about 5 minutes, the Kydex will be cooled enough for you to remove the blade. Don't rush it. If you don't like the way it looks, just pop it back into the oven and re-heat it. I then grind the Kydex down to the
shape I want. To make the belt loop, I just basically do the same thing I described above, but I use a 2-3" wide strip, that I double over(after being heated and limp) and lay on the bottom piece of the Thermo
Foam.
I then place the sheath (with the knife inside) on top of the limp Kydex, place the other piece of Thermo Foam on top. I then stand on top and rock until the Kydex is cool.
I used the oven to fit the belt loop to the sheath. After I glued the belt loop to the sheath, I used a heat gun to open up the belt loop. I used either a 2" or 1 1/2" wide piece of 1/8" thick Micarta to shape the blade loop. After I opened up the belt loop, I would then finish the shaping of the sheath.
The glue I use is Oatey orange for CPVC. Just skuff up the inside of both parts of the Kydex with some 220 grit sandpaper. Apply the glue to both sides. Keep pressure on the two parts for a minimum of 4 hours. If you will check with your local Plastic Suppliers, you will be able to purchase Kydex fairly inexpensively.
------------------
A.T.
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AKTI #476
I first use 2" wide masking tape (3 or 4 layers) on both sides of the knife blade. If you don't do this, you will really scratch up your blade.
I use my wife's oven to heat up my Kydex. You will need to experiment with the temperature. For 1/16" thick I used about 310 degrees, and I think I used 325 degrees for 3/32". If you get it too hot, it will stick together. And, if you don't get it hot enough, it will not form to the shape of the knife. Anyway, since that Kydex is really hot, I wear cotton gloves.
After the Kydex is limp from the heat, I lay it on the piece of foam. I then place the knife on the Kydex, and then I fold the Kydex over. You need to leave an ample amount of extra Kydex. Don't try to save material. I then take the other piece of Foam and place it on top of the Kydex, that I wrapped over my knife. I then stand on the top board and
rock my feet. This makes the Kydex form to the knife blade and handle.
In about 5 minutes, the Kydex will be cooled enough for you to remove the blade. Don't rush it. If you don't like the way it looks, just pop it back into the oven and re-heat it. I then grind the Kydex down to the
shape I want. To make the belt loop, I just basically do the same thing I described above, but I use a 2-3" wide strip, that I double over(after being heated and limp) and lay on the bottom piece of the Thermo
Foam.
I then place the sheath (with the knife inside) on top of the limp Kydex, place the other piece of Thermo Foam on top. I then stand on top and rock until the Kydex is cool.
I used the oven to fit the belt loop to the sheath. After I glued the belt loop to the sheath, I used a heat gun to open up the belt loop. I used either a 2" or 1 1/2" wide piece of 1/8" thick Micarta to shape the blade loop. After I opened up the belt loop, I would then finish the shaping of the sheath.
The glue I use is Oatey orange for CPVC. Just skuff up the inside of both parts of the Kydex with some 220 grit sandpaper. Apply the glue to both sides. Keep pressure on the two parts for a minimum of 4 hours. If you will check with your local Plastic Suppliers, you will be able to purchase Kydex fairly inexpensively.
------------------
A.T.
http://www.customknives.com
If you make, sell, or just love knives and want a website with your name
customknives.com/your.name, for $100.00 a year or less? Check out
http://www.customknives.com/webdesign
AKTI #476
Bill Siegle
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2000
- Messages
- 6,808
I heat mine at 400 for 2 minutes then wrap the kydex around the knife blade and press it between layers of a folded bath towel.I use the backside of a cookie sheet for a "plate" in the oven. I don't think you'll need to wrap the zytel as the kydex cools from it's forming temp pretty fast. I've not used any glue before so I couldn't say anything about it. I like rivits and chicago screws myself. I wear cotton work gloves for handling the hot stuff but if you hold on too long you will feel the heat. Good luck!
Bill
Bill