Pins or wire instead of rivets for kydex?

D

d.weglarz13

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
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Hey. I was just thinking...Why not use pins(spread with peen hammer) instead of rivets on kydex sheaths? Or, better yet, how about stitching the 2 halves of kydex together with some type of metal wire, like you do with leather and thread? The reason of course, is to get a sheath with a slimmer profile, as i feel the rivets add a good amount of space to the sides of the sheath around the blade. This would be great imo for knives that don't need slots and holes for lashing. maybe a slim sheath for IWB. What do you guys think? Any better ideas? Rivets are cool, but i cant ever seem to find real tiny ones that would suit my purpose and still hold a sheath together. Thanks for any ideas or comments.

Dave
 
The right size rivet and corresponding washer should be available from a sheetmetal supply shop (in bulk) or at your local leather supply. Sheaths have been riveted for as long as I can remember, and unless they pull through lousy leather, they last for years.

Pull out an old sheath knife and look at the corners and the ends of the stitching. Most likely you will have at least two, maybe more of plain old rivets.

With a little practice (and the right sized rivet head tool) you can make a nice looking job in no time flat.

Another thing to consider would be to go to your local plastic supply house and ask they what they would recommend as an adhesive. They have incredible adhesives at some of those stores, and they can sell you glues that will make the joints/laps, etc. permanently bonded.

Robert
 
midnight flyer said:
The right size rivet and corresponding washer should be available from a sheetmetal supply shop (in bulk) or at your local leather supply. Sheaths have been riveted for as long as I can remember, and unless they pull through lousy leather, they last for years.

Pull out an old sheath knife and look at the corners and the ends of the stitching. Most likely you will have at least two, maybe more of plain old rivets.

With a little practice (and the right sized rivet head tool) you can make a nice looking job in no time flat.

Another thing to consider would be to go to your local plastic supply house and ask they what they would recommend as an adhesive. They have incredible adhesives at some of those stores, and they can sell you glues that will make the joints/laps, etc. permanently bonded.

Robert
Click to expand...

Normal PVC pipe glue will do the job on kydex.

Richard
 
If you use the PVS glue do you use the cleaner also? What color glue do you use most of what I see is the purple stuff and I would worry about discoloration?
 
Tinbasher said:
Normal PVC pipe glue will do the job on kydex.

Richard
Click to expand...

Learn something new every day! Good tip, Richard.

whiteeugene, you should get the cleaner/primer. I can tell you first hand (as a contractor) it is worth the money to ensure a good bond. You can buy the tiny little homeowner's style tins of glue and primer together for less than $10 if I recall correctly at the big home improvement box stores.

Robert
 
To actually answer his question, even though I've never made a kydex sheath, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just drill your holes for the wire and wrap it however you think would make it look good. What kind of wire were you thinking of using? Whatever it is, go ahead and use an adhesive to ensure a tight seal between the pieces.
 
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