- Joined
- May 4, 2000
- Messages
- 228
Let me start out by saying that I was a skeptic and now I am a convert. I have had bad luck with Kydex sheaths in the past, most were too loose for my tastes and required re-heating or modification or "tweeking" of some sort before they performed as they were said to perform. I had heard many good things about On-Scene Tactical's work and about Normark himself here on BF as well as on other forums I stop by on occassion. When the oportunity came to do a three way deal which involved Normark I was again skeptical. The deal involved two knives I had in which I traded one to a fellow in Washington for a TOPS Firestrike, and another I traded to Normark for a Concealex sheath. The deal worked out, the fellow in WA shipped the Firestrike to Normark and Normark made a sheath for it. The whole package returned to me a couple weeks ago. This may seem a round about way to get to my point but bear with me, there is a character issue here. These guys don't know me from Adam's house cat, but they did their trades anyway. Good folks all around.
Because of some logistic problems, I had the package shipped to a friend (MarkCid84) who called me upon its arrival. Now Mark is a Knife Knut of the first order and a fan of TOPS blades in general (he turned me on to them). His first reaction on the phone was, "Knife's nice; but you ain't gonna BELIEVE the sheath!" I was now very curious, as Mark is not the type to go wiggy over a piece of plastic. I met with him a couple of days later and 'voila' he was right! The knife was what I expected but the sheath...WOW! For a look at the sheaths go over to On-Scene's web page (which escapes me now, but just look for Normark's posts elsewhere about and get the link). This is one boss looking sheath.
How does it perform? I have never had a tighter, more workable sheath of its type. The sheath on my Anaconda 9 could take a lesson. I finally got to take it to the woods where I tested both knife and sheath for a few hours. As before the knife was what I expected but the sheath went beyond my expectations by more than half. Concealex is lighter than Kydex and therefore much nicer to carry. With a HEAVY knife like the TOPS anywhere you can save weight is a blessing. The hanger kept the knife out away from my body just far enough to make bending and squatting easier, and didn't suffer from my middle age spread. I wore the knife both strong and weak side and found it comfortable both places. Its a good thing that the hanger is solidly mounted because this knife ain't coming out the sheath without real conscious effort. This was a great comfort as the hills we walk in could make for a nasty "down the mountain" fall, and the last thing I want is my TOPS making julianne fries out of me on the way down. This was a worry with all my other Kydex products. NOT THIS SHEATH HOWEVER!!!! The draw is smooth but tight, and I believe it will smooth up even more with time and use.
I can't say enough about this sheath and the quality of its manufacture. I know some of you shudder about sending your bladeware over the border to CANADA, but I assure you that Normark will make it worth your while. He also has sheaths ready made for certain types of blades, so check his offerings. If you get the oportunity to deal with him, do it. You won't be disappointed.
Now that the summer hiking season is over, and I have my Firestrike now, I may gather the funds necessary (and the prices are reasonable also; forgot to mention that) and ship him the Anaconda, perhaps for a "pack sheath (one with holes on both sides as points of attachment) to tie to my day pack for next year. A weight savings there would be a real blessing!
It costs a little more to send him your stuff, but I think you will be so pleased by the quality that it will be worth it.
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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney
Because of some logistic problems, I had the package shipped to a friend (MarkCid84) who called me upon its arrival. Now Mark is a Knife Knut of the first order and a fan of TOPS blades in general (he turned me on to them). His first reaction on the phone was, "Knife's nice; but you ain't gonna BELIEVE the sheath!" I was now very curious, as Mark is not the type to go wiggy over a piece of plastic. I met with him a couple of days later and 'voila' he was right! The knife was what I expected but the sheath...WOW! For a look at the sheaths go over to On-Scene's web page (which escapes me now, but just look for Normark's posts elsewhere about and get the link). This is one boss looking sheath.
How does it perform? I have never had a tighter, more workable sheath of its type. The sheath on my Anaconda 9 could take a lesson. I finally got to take it to the woods where I tested both knife and sheath for a few hours. As before the knife was what I expected but the sheath went beyond my expectations by more than half. Concealex is lighter than Kydex and therefore much nicer to carry. With a HEAVY knife like the TOPS anywhere you can save weight is a blessing. The hanger kept the knife out away from my body just far enough to make bending and squatting easier, and didn't suffer from my middle age spread. I wore the knife both strong and weak side and found it comfortable both places. Its a good thing that the hanger is solidly mounted because this knife ain't coming out the sheath without real conscious effort. This was a great comfort as the hills we walk in could make for a nasty "down the mountain" fall, and the last thing I want is my TOPS making julianne fries out of me on the way down. This was a worry with all my other Kydex products. NOT THIS SHEATH HOWEVER!!!! The draw is smooth but tight, and I believe it will smooth up even more with time and use.
I can't say enough about this sheath and the quality of its manufacture. I know some of you shudder about sending your bladeware over the border to CANADA, but I assure you that Normark will make it worth your while. He also has sheaths ready made for certain types of blades, so check his offerings. If you get the oportunity to deal with him, do it. You won't be disappointed.
Now that the summer hiking season is over, and I have my Firestrike now, I may gather the funds necessary (and the prices are reasonable also; forgot to mention that) and ship him the Anaconda, perhaps for a "pack sheath (one with holes on both sides as points of attachment) to tie to my day pack for next year. A weight savings there would be a real blessing!
It costs a little more to send him your stuff, but I think you will be so pleased by the quality that it will be worth it.
------------------
Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney
