No. of draws to wear out kydex?

P

phatch

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Oct 3, 1998
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Did a search, but didn't find what I was looking for.

What is the lifespan of kydex/concealex? I'm looking for some kind of average of number of draws before the friction hold is no longer sufficient.

Yes, every sheath and set up will be different. But are there are any general numbers for an "average" number of uses?

Phil
 
All of my kydex/concealex is custom, some have several thousand draws on them and still hold as well as when I got them. The only ones to give me problems were ones that didn't retain well to begin with. I do have a friend who managed to slowly whittle away so much of the mouth of the sheath that it stopped retaining the knife, but I think a little care would have prevented this. Actually, I wish some of them didn't hold up so well as a lighter draw might be nice, but I didn't want to eff up the retention by re molding the shape on my own.
 
Kydex is quite elastic, I don't think you would need to be concerned about it deforming and going slack. With extended use, there is however a significant problem with all friction fit sheaths, once the blade profile changes the sheath will no longer hold the knife, I have had kydex sheaths become nonfunctional that way.

-Cliff
 
Hey Guys....

I'll pretty much agree with what Cliff said...

The only thing I would differ would be to say,,that if you have a sheath that relies on friction holding the blade in place you are gonna hav serious trouble in other areas..Like Wicked Scratching...

The best sheaths will have a buffer zone built in that never touches the blade..These types of sheaths rely on the handle and guard of the knife to hold it in place..
If this changes by changing the shape of the handle,,then yes you will have a problem..

If the sheath doesn't experience any mutating by way of heat, or serious carving by the blade going in and out,,it should last indefinately,,or at least your lifetime...

If it fails for your grandchildren,,then my grandchildren will be able replicate a new sheath and beam it over....:)

ttyle

Eric...
 
Kydex slop is relatively easy to fix with a Hair dryer and a pair of cotton gloves.
With the blade in the sheath, Heat up the loose area just until it starts to loose it,s shape. Use your gloved hands to Re-mold to the friction point. If you mess up try again. Hold untill cool:cool:
 
Hmm, dunno 'bout knife sheaths, but my kydex holsters are holding up nicely. My primary competition holster (a Blade-Tech for a BHP.40) has seen 10-20 thousand drawstrokes over the last couple of years and shows little sign of wear. There are a couple of gouges where the front sight dug in for a while, but that stopped once the sight track was ahem "tuned" to my particular drawstroke.

The carbon fiber sheath that came with my Trace Rinaldi TTK gives up a little material with each draw, but I suspect that'll end once the bolster has dug it's path through the slightly overtight CF a couple of hundred times.

I wouldn't worry about it. If you have a kydex sheath/holster from a reputable maker, he'll be just as interested as you are if you can wear it out -- and will most likely replace it if you do.

Chad
 
First,
Chad Ward,
you have good taste in equipment (BHP & TTKK)and a great name.

Eric,
You agreed with Cliff about a property of ceoncealex. WOW, I'll have to save this thread :):):)

I've got about a gazzilion draws from my on/scene tactical sheaths for my Busses, I have seen zero wear. I really think that how the concealex is molded (at what temp, for how long, actual design, etc.)
I've got to tell you Normark is a master, his stuff is really that good.
Take care.
Chad
 
Hey Chad..

No worries about the knife skating a little,,thats normal..

Do give it a rince once and awhile so it doesn't build up...

This is mostly caused by sharp edges on the plunge line,,or front and back of the guard..

Once it's found its way ,,it more more than likely stopor at least lessen..

However I did have one of my sheaths returned because it was Excessively gouging..

The maker has been Flogged, and since has changed his ways...:)Now his plunge, and all sharp edges are nice and soft...

The difference..Like Night and day...

Makes for a much better fitting sheath with smooth draws and crisp lockups..

HeadZup all you makers that leave your edges sharp!!!

ttyle

Eric...
 
Hey Chad234..

Thanks alot..I really Appreciate that...

Alot of people don't realize it's the knife that also has a big part on how the sheath is going to work...

Busse knives are Text Book for one of the Absolute best knives to make sheaths for...They have their quirks,,but if you understand them,,you can use them to your advantage...
I can do Busse sheaths in my sleep if I have to..Actually have done that once or twice...:):)

What makes the Busse blades so nice to sheath is that all of the sharp edges are softened and the large guard makes it a joy to work with....

I see a ton of knives on a daily basis,,some are really nice to work with,,others are tough....

Knife makers have to realize that if they are putting their knives into synthetics,,and they want them to fit Really well,,go in smooth,,come out smooth,,edges have to be softened..

A couple Perfect examples of this is Rick Frigault Knives and Jeff Diottes knives...

Both had real nice crisp plunge lines,,looked really nice,,but were a Real bugger to work with....Both makers made some adjustment on their grinds and how they did things and now their knives are sweet to work with,,require Very little fitting and the end product is that much nicer...

Sometimes a little Tweeking in certain areas of a sheath is fine...If you don't know what you are doing,,you can make a small problem into a nightmare....I Don't suggest making ANY changes to the Blade are of a sheath, unless you know Exactly where the problem is...


Chad234..As far as agreeing with Cliff....

He's not always wrong..:)
Just playing with ya Cliff...:)

I respect Cliff for the knife knutt he is..:)

ttyle

Eric...
 
I just thought I'd mention Bud Nealy and his use of magnets in the kydex sheath. With that added little hold, I don't think one would ever have a problem with losing a knife.

DD
 
Hey Dan....

With All due respect to Bud Nealy....

I don't reccomend magnets for use with any synthetics sheaths...

Whats the point ??

It's redundant in my humble opinion..

ttyle

Eric...
 
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