Perfect Kydex definition

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Jul 22, 2012
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Hope this is the right section and I hope this hasn't been posted before.

This guy is a little long winded but entertaining to watch and listen to. He gets GREAT form and definition with some fairly thick Kydex. I dont know how hot you guys get your Kydex, but I got some of mine around 300 before I started getting dis-formation issues. But with more controlled environments I know I can get better definition and reach higher temperatures which will result in better flexibility for forming.

I HIGHLY recommend this to be bookmarked if you work with Kydex. Kydex Technical Briefs

And for details in how to get great definition, take the time to watch this...

[video=youtube;zCxwETokee4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCxwETokee4[/video]
 
This video has been posted a couple of times before, lots of good information in here about it, and IIRC he does recommend to visit the Kydex site and take a read to the tech specs... Also worth noting that the spec sheets differ between thicknesses.

Some of the makers here have moved on to Boltaron, for them I suggest to go to the Boltaron listing site and take a read on the type that is in use, temperatures differ there also.

Thank you for posting this again!
 
Sorry for the repost guys :)

Is there THAT much a differance between Kydex and Boltaron?? I havent worked with either much, but moldable plastic to me is just modable plastic. But I'm sure for more specific projects is where one brand comes into its own, but I didn't know that there was that much a difference.
 
Actually it's not a repost in here, I saw the video in another thread.

TBH I'm not sure what the difference between the two are, Boltaron requires a bit higher heat to get to that sweet spot between good and great definition.

After I made the switch I can tell the difference, mostly after I've heated and molded... It's mostly in the feel of the material, to me it feels more stout than Kydex does after heating and molding... It could also be all in my head lol. I haven't used either material enough to consider myself "proficient". The folks that make sheaths for money would be better suited to answer that question.
 
I like Boltaron allot more than Kydex but i have to admit i go with what i can find with a better price
Lt.Col Kydex when overheated shrinks, Boltaron becomes an eggroll...LOL also Boltaron has better texture(?) and has a better look than Kydex, i also think you can get a better definition with Boltaron too..i can not really explain it...language barrier..
 
You explained it enough sonil. I'll experiment with the two ( and any other moldable plastics) to see which ones I like better.
 
Kydex is a PVC based thermoforming plastic and Boltaron is ABS based. Boltaron is more durable and will hold its mold better in places where the chance of being exposed to high heat is more common, like if you were to leave it in a car with the windows up sitting on the dash. I have heard of guys in Iraq leaving a kydex holster on the dash and comming back hours later and it has lost its retention. Boltaron can withstand much higher heat with out deforming. Kydex will also become brittle if exposed to temps in the low teens and if dropped or flexed can crack or break, where boltaron is still stable in those temps. I also believe it leaves a better mold and finishes a bit better than kydex. It is really an all around superior product but is a bit harder to work with until you figure it out.
 
Kydex is a PVC based thermoforming plastic and Boltaron is ABS based. Boltaron is more durable and will hold its mold better in places where the chance of being exposed to high heat is more common, like if you were to leave it in a car with the windows up sitting on the dash. I have heard of guys in Iraq leaving a kydex holster on the dash and comming back hours later and it has lost its retention. Boltaron can withstand much higher heat with out deforming. Kydex will also become brittle if exposed to temps in the low teens and if dropped or flexed can crack or break, where boltaron is still stable in those temps. I also believe it leaves a better mold and finishes a bit better than kydex. It is really an all around superior product but is a bit harder to work with until you figure it out.

This isn't really correct. Kydex and boltaron/Concealex are both alloys and both have PVC/ABS and PVC/Acrylic variants. Unless I'm mistaken, the material you'll get from most suppliers for sheaths and holsters will be PVC/Acrylic for both. Getting into variants you'll find temperature resistance varies widely.

On the commonly available boltaron/Concealex being able to withstand higher temps than the commonly available Kydex, I haven't really found that to be the case. I've watched boltaron/Concealex destroy itself from the inside out at temps that Kydex barely curls at.
 
Kiah is correct. There are many different formulations available and most are PVC based. The boltaron I use is a specific formulation and is more abs based. I heat it to 365 degrees just to form it. It will start to curl only after about 5-6 minutes at that temp. But i also dont use anything under .093 material. It is a good bit more expensive than the widely available Kydex and blotaron on the market even when I buy many 4'x8' sheets at a time. But I prefer it due to it ability to resist heat and cracking a little better.
 
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The boltaron I use is a specific formulation and is abs based. It is not PVC based and I heat it to 365 degrees just to form it. It will start to curl only after about 6 minutes at that temp. It is a good bit more expensive than the widely available Kydex on the market even when I buy many 4'x8' sheets at a time. But I prefer it due to it ability to resist heat and cracking better.

Oh, I was under the impression that boltaron is PVC based by definition. ABS without PVC being basically just ABS. Do you know the grade number for this PVC-less formulation? I'd be interested in trying it out considering my less than stellar experience with the more common grade.
 
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