Need help protecting my sheath retention straps...

SafetyJarhead

SafetyJarhead

Joined
Jan 1, 2007
Messages
19
I have a beautiful Rainwalker sheath and a Swamp Rat Chopweiler.
As you can see from the photos, if I'm not careful the blade cuts into the blade side strap.
Any proven thoughts/ideas/mods to protect this from happening anymore, much appreciated.
Pictures if you have any.
Thanks,
SJ

knife001.jpg

knife002.jpg
 
I would replace it with a plastic strap. Not much else you can do other than sending it back to be replaced.
 
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It's called wear and tear....it happens.
Looks to me you still have some miles left in it...ride it out. And when the inevitable happens....have a new sheath made.:thumbup:
 
You could maybe glue a pad of leather on that spot with rubber cement. Of course, that would probably affect the fit of the strap.

It looks like the strap could be replaced if it was needed.
 
SafetyJarhead,

Straps are going to wear from regular use, send me a message or email if it becomes a major problem and I'll replace it for you. ;)
 
Problem solved! :D
 
There is a "fix" to help retention straps from being sliced by the knife. It is questionable whether the extra labor and expense is worth while. The retention strap would have to be lined and have an encapsulated spring steel strip. The ideal strip would be and old, coiled, flat, clock spring that would be strong enough to cause the retention strap to recoil away from the blade when it is unsnapped from the sheath body. The major problem here would be placing the button and socket of the fastener in the strap. Holes are hard to drill in tempered spring steel, but it can be done. ---Sandy---
 
Tom,

looks to me to be an easy fix at anytime for a leather worker without affecting the whole sheathe. a stitch ripper to remove the thread and then replace retention strap and restitch. no big wup.

ryan

now for the real question...... In 10 words or less explain to me the concept of E mods or the General duty clause 5 A 1.
 
rroundy said:
Tom,

looks to me to be an easy fix at anytime for a leather worker without affecting the whole sheathe. a stitch ripper to remove the thread and then replace retention strap and restitch. no big wup.

ryan

now for the real question...... In 10 words or less explain to me the concept of E mods or the General duty clause 5 A 1.
Click to expand...


E-mods...
Economic impact of injury experience in your workplace.

In 8!



General duty clause...
Any workplace hazard not covered by regulation, needing controls.


... in 9!

:D
 
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Swivelknife said:
The retention strap would have to be lined and have an encapsulated spring steel strip. The ideal strip would be and old, coiled, flat, clock spring that would be strong enough to cause the retention strap to recoil away from the blade when it is unsnapped from the sheath body. The major problem here would be placing the button and socket of the fastener in the strap. Holes are hard to drill in tempered spring steel, but it can be done. ---Sandy---
Click to expand...

Sandy, I have successfully used this technique, but I used thin Kydex instead of steel. The Kydex is springy enough to open the strap up, and is much easier to drill than steel.
 
It would not take long to replace that retention strap, but the problem still exists. Use of a wrap type strap eliminates the problem. It is easier to do during the initial construction of the sheath, but many sheaths are easy to modify. This one would not be difficult because of the type of belt loop construction, but it would be necessary to re stitch the sheath.
286468619.jpg
 
Sandy would that modification to the strap with the strap having an enclosed spring be called an "assisted opening" sheath? You might solve the drilling problem by using a loop of music wire. It was good to see you at Trackrock; I pray everything is going to suit you.
 
Very interesting comments guys, Thanks so much for sharing. Definately good food for thought. I'm always looking for, and trying to think of better ways to retain a knife securely, and cost effectively into a good sheath. There's always a better way, although they may at times, be more time consuming and/or more costly.

I've also used elastic webbing to accomplish the same thing but I have mixed feelings about the results, I always worry about things loosing their elasticity over time. One method that I like too, is being able to use a D-ring that allows the retaining strap to drop out of the way, it takes a little more planning, time and resources though, but not to any great extent.
 
Your sheath could easily be modified to this:

crktsheath04.jpg


The strap can easily be replaced by the user when it gets cut eventually. It won't come of when it's not supposed to coz one side's got the stud, and the other is trimmed just a little wider then the slots in the loop.

crktsheath06.jpg



Besides this, there are a lot of other designs possible where the strap isn't likely to get cut, I agree with Hmathews..
Replacing an otherwise perfect good custom quality sheath because of a cut strap doesn't sound very respectfull to me.
 
Maybe I'm misunderstanding you Martin, but why would anybody need to replace a whole sheath, when just the retention strap might need replacing.:confused:

Your right, that doesn't sound very respectful.

As for the slots they work great if that's what you like, and I have no real problem with them, however I've never cared for them personally, because the retention strap always seems to want to slide to an inconvenient spot, and I prefer them to stay in one place. So that you always know where it is when you need to use the knife.
 
Rainwalker said:
Maybe I'm misunderstanding you Martin, but why would anybody need to replace a whole sheath, when just the retention strap might need replacing.:confused:

Your right, that doesn't sound very respectful.

As for the slots they work great if that's what you like, and I have no real problem with them, however I've never cared for them personally, because the retention strap always seems to want to slide to an inconvenient spot, and I prefer them to stay in one place. So that you always know where it is when you need to use the knife.
Click to expand...

I see .. I'm sorry.. It was a reaction on the suggestion rayban did..
Not a good idea..

As far as this strap. It's halftanned, wetformed in the slots with pretty sharp angles. You will need both hands to take it out of the slot. It won't shift with use.
But ofcourse.. Everybody has his preferences..

This is not my ideal kind of strap btw.. Only because lack of guard forced me to. I really like the strap that pivots away to the back, out of the way, when opened.
 
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