***PSA*** Check your used sheaths

David Brown

David Brown

Kydex Sheath and Holster Artist :)
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 4, 2001
Messages
14,995
Hi Everybody,

I had a friend here in Utah come by the shop the other day with what I thought was a pretty sad deal.

I asked if he would mind if I posted this and he said please do, he wished he would have known before this happened to him.

So here goes



Check your USED sheaths

My friend traded for a Brand new Satin finish AK.
It was beautiful from the pics I saw.
Worth about 1200 to 1300 by itself.

For one reason or another the other party threw in a sheath for an AK as part of the deal .

Turns out it was one of the sheaths I made many many years ago, in fact it had to be one of the first 10 ones I made over 10 years ago.
I can tell by the way it was made and some of the materials I used back then.


Here is where it gets bad and why sometimes "thrown in" is not worth it at all.


My friend thought to check the fit and feel of the sheath with the AK.
The outside of the sheath looked as though it was clean so he went with it.

Once he began to put the sword in the sheath he noticed a problem with the fit, called me and I said bring it by.

He brought it by and here is what we did and later what I found.



He showed me the sheath then the sword.

The sword was nice and when looking at it noticed a few mars/scratches in the finish that should not be there nor be caused by a sheath made for it.



Next we looked at the sheath

1st as i said this is one of the 1st AK sheaths I had made over 10 years ago in 2005.
Those AK's where just slightly thinner than the newer ones.

I had a newer coated AK in the shop and put it in sheath and it was a bit tight on the last 6" or so of the sheath and that was strange but kind of makes since as the older AK's from 2005 are thinner.

Even though it was tight it should not have caused scratches.

Upon closer inspection I saw a bunch of grit at the mouth of the sheath (bad sign)
I recognize it though because my Oinkalibur's sheath has the same grit embedded in it from a San Diego trip when we went to the beach and even though the sword had sand on it, I still put it back in the sheath, thus embedding the sand in the plastic. Don't do that if you want your finish to stay nice. My sword is a beater so it did not matter to me.


This bad sign made me curious, more later.


So my friend got a new sheath I made with a new AK and it fit perfect.

Because he needed to sell the sword for personal reasons we decided to make it nicer/repair the finish so that it would sell better.
To repair his sword I carefully repaired the finish of his sword with scotch bright wheels and it is hard to tell it had the scratches.

It can and does effect the perceived value of his sword because he can not in good conscience say "factory satin finish".
How much that will cost him I do not know, but it does effect value all because of a free sheath.

The lesson is if you get a used sheath thrown in with the deal, get some history on the sheath, and make sure it is right.




After my friend left and I had a break in sheath making I cut the sheath open to see what was inside.

What I found was;

1. Lots of grit, the sword that used to live in this sheath was put back in the sheath dirty and covered in grit over the years.

2. Rust spots because the sword had to be put in wet

3. Black marks from dirt and coating being left in the sheath.


Now this is OK if your sword is like my old beater or the user sword that used to be in that sheath, and you do not care about the finish or future of the finish, but for a 1200.00 satin finish sword, that old sheath should not have been used for it.



Bottom line

Any used sheath should be heavily scrutinized weather it is kydex, leather or nylon.

It should always be the sheath originally made for that knife or sword.



Unless you do not care about scratches or fit then shove the knife in anything that fits if you like.

here are some pics


Gritty

IMG_2020_zpsic7xjszr.jpg


IMG_2019_zpspvxn9zv3.jpg


Rust spots

IMG_2018_zpsnifa1mjt.jpg


tip area

IMG_2016_zpstvidud06.jpg


IMG_2017_zps25wpeqqv.jpg
 
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I learned that lesson the hard way as well. You make some of the stoutest kydex available.

Hey, when did you move to Utah? are you near ogden?
 
Cobalt said:
I learned that lesson the hard way as well. You make some of the stoutest kydex available.

Hey, when did you move to Utah? are you near ogden?
Click to expand...

2 years ago :)

Closer to Provo

Love it here.
 
thanks for the PSA...good stuff...

really graphic to see the imbedded grit, thanks for going through the effort to demonstrate!
 
I learned my lesson too. I always wash the inside of kydex sheaths - even new ones. Bought a new kydex sheath that had kydex particles from drilling left inside the sheath. I found them when I inserted my satin LE
 
RedbeAR15 said:
I learned my lesson too. I always wash the inside of kydex sheaths - even new ones. Bought a new kydex sheath that had kydex particles from drilling left inside the sheath. I found them when I inserted my satin LE
Click to expand...
Who made the sheath with the kydex dust inside?
 
Danger with leather, too... maybe worse even. Holds crap in, and you can't really wash stuff out if it like you can with Kydex.
 
Moral of the story, never put on someone else's dirty pants... :eek: :p
 
AZTimT said:
Moral of the story, never put on someone else's dirty pants... :eek: :p
Click to expand...

you ain't never lied brother...:D

btw Tim, you will need to purchase me a new monitor because I just spewed Pepsi Max on this one due to your overly humorous & very true post reply...

you will be receiving a registered letter seeking remittance to secure new monitor Monday morning from my lawyer & his firm, Cobalt, esq. & Associates....good day to you sir!
 
AValenz said:
Who made the sheath with the kydex dust inside?
Click to expand...

A well known maker here on the forum. Now I know

This was NOT a sheath from Dave and it's all good as I just made that knife a user
 
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David Brown said:
Sometimes Free is not worth it.

So my friend got a new sheath I made with a new AK and it fit perfect.

Bottom line

Any used sheath should be heavily scrutinized weather it is kydex, leather or nylon.

It should always be the sheath originally made for that knife or sword.
Click to expand...

First I'd like to say I own several of your sheaths Mr Brown and I'm happy with them. I also appreciate your repeat generosity with all on the forums.

However, I'd like to touch on the above quoted statements if I may.

So "free" or (how I perceive this gesture) a "Gift" from anyone in used condition should be scrutinized? Ever heard the expression "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"? My parents raised me to never reject a kind act or ridicule positive interaction. I don't think the sheath was given out malice and malcontent.

I agree that with "used" items if (bought) should be reviewed for proper and Safe function, but would all the stuff embedded inside be caused by a design flaw or drain hole not working properly and a issue that can be improved? (By the way who's ever blade this was, I definitely think it sucks your blade got scratched, but I'm glad Dave hooked you up!)

Last I think it's ironic that I posted a while back in a thread. That in order to achieve perfect fitment of a blade to a sheath. The original blade should be used for molding the perfect fitting sheath. However your response was that, because you're professional and did kydex molding for a living, you don't need the original blade for near perfect fitment.

Not sure how this is a public service announcement?
Bottom line
This was a small accident that could have happened to anyone or any maker. Lets not turn a innocent gift given in good faith into a vilified act. Busse brotherhood united

We live and learn. I want to say thank you again to Dave for hooking up a fellow hog! Not many businesses that take care of their clients like Dave! Keep up the great work!
 
A very helpful thread! Thanks.
I now get all my Kydex from a maker who makes his sheaths so that they can be taken apart.
rolf
 
First I'd like to say I own several of your sheaths Mr Brown and I'm happy with them. I also appreciate your repeat generosity with all on the forums.




Thank you for the kind words AValenz, I do appreciate it.




However, I'd like to touch on the above quoted statements if I may.

So "free" or (how I perceive this gesture) a "Gift" from anyone in used condition should be scrutinized? Ever heard the expression "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"? My parents raised me to never reject a kind act or ridicule positive interaction. I don't think the sheath was given out malice and malcontent.



Turns out it was not free, it was part of the deal, my fault for not labeling the thread correct.
My parents also raised me to never reject or ridicule an act of kindness, that was not my intent of this thread, sorry if you misunderstood that.
I will correct that, but even a free used sheath should be looked at before you use it and ruin your knife




I agree that with "used" items if (bought) should be reviewed for proper and Safe function, but would all the stuff embedded inside be caused by a design flaw or drain hole not working properly and a issue that can be improved? (By the way who's ever blade this was, I definitely think it sucks your blade got scratched, but I'm glad Dave hooked you up!)




It was not caused by a design flaw at all.
I know this because i did the same thing to my own sword and sheath, it has the very same grit and marks in it.
But as I stated I did not care about the finish as it was a user, maybe the original sheath owner in this case felt the same, I do not know.

The blade and handle had to be covered in sand or grit, then shoved in the sheath thus embedding the grit/sand in the sheath. How do i know ? That is what I did.

Hope that helps make things a little clearer that it is not the sheaths fault but the fault of who ever did not clean the knife before inserting it in the sheath.





Last I think it's ironic that I posted a while back in a thread. That in order to achieve perfect fitment of a blade to a sheath. The original blade should be used for molding the perfect fitting sheath. However your response was that, because you're professional and did kydex molding for a living, you don't need the original blade for near perfect fitment.




Again maybe I worded it incorrectly ?
Sorry for causing you confusion or making it seem as though I was arrogant ? That was not my intent.
99% of the time you can make sheaths for the same model of knife with any knife of that run, by the techniques most of the professional sheath makers use.
In this case the swords changed when they started making them again they are slightly thicker.
The originals had the CBT (Corrugated Bevel Technology) making them just a little thinner, the newer AK's are flat ground or convex as is the case with this satin finished one.
Good news is I make all my AK sheaths with the newer slightly thicker blade so they will fit the old ones fine.

Some other examples of knives that are different are;

Original RMD and newer RMD's (the older ones are thinner)
Mudd Mutt/CEV Mutt and Saftey Mutt/Garth Mutt (the Saftey and Garth edition Mutts are thicker)
NMFBM original run and most of the newer NMFBM's (the newer ones are thicker)
There are also a couple different thicknesses of MOAB's

but for the most part the Busse's, Swamp Rat's and Scrapyard's are pretty consistent now.

I am glad that most sheath makers can make sheaths with one blade and not have to have every single knife sent in, that would be costly for the customer.

Hope that dispels some of the Irony ?




Not sure how this is a public service announcement?





Sorry again for the confusion.
It is so that someone that gets a used sheath by either gift, trade or even purchase does not have the same thing happen.

whether it be kydex, leather or nylon, if it is used please check it and if it has grit embedded in it do not use it unless you do not care about the finish.




Bottom line
This was a small accident that could have happened to anyone or any maker. Lets not turn a innocent gift given in good faith into a vilified act.



Again turns out it was part of a deal, not a gift, my fault and I will correct that.
Sorry for the confusion
I never meant to turn it into a vilified act, absolutly 100% not my intent.
I did this as a PSA (Public Service Announcement) So that the Busse and Busse kin folks could avoid a similar situation.
Last thing I would want to happen to anyone is to take your nice sword or knife and have the finished ruined by grit/or sand embedded in my or any other makers sheath.

Please everyone check your USED sheaths before you use them





Busse brotherhood united

We live and learn. I want to say thank you again to Dave for hooking up a fellow hog! Not many businesses that take care of their clients like Dave! Keep up the great work!




Thank you again AValenz for the kind words and pointing out the confusion I caused some folks, I will make the necessary corrections.
 
Thank you to everyone and hope this helps out.
 
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