Question on either kydex or leather.

S

Sam Hell

Joined
Jan 7, 2012
Messages
552
Hey guys, havent been on for a while because of working full time and sleeping as much as i could.
The question i have is what your preference is regarding kydex or leather for your Beckers.
I have a 9 and a 2 and am thinking about upgrading from my stock sheaths...the problem i have is that i live in the pacific northwest and im either getting rained on or working in/near water. I prospect for gold and various other things and i am wanting to know what your opinion is value wise and what is the strongest material to have in cold/wet climate for a sheath, leather or kydex?
Thanks guys for any input as i have been racking my brain for a while now.
Happy Holidays


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I'd say kydex given your constraints.
leather takes a long time to dry once it's soaked.
 
Most leather sheaths I know of will retain a good bit of moisture. Any decently made Kydex (or your thermoplastic of choice) sheath will have some sort of integral drainage system to flush water and small particles.
 
If you like the looks and shape of leather, hot wax it. Melt some beeswax in an old crockpot, dunk the whole sheath in for a couple of minutes. Waterproof inside and out.
 
Personal choice here. Lots of factors come into play. Pros & cons there are.

What i personally like in a custom sheath:

No straps or snaps to hold knife in sheath.
Ability to remove & replace knife with one hand, quickly.
An audible click, so i KNOW knife is secure without looking.
A thumb ramp for stealthy removal when needed.
NO RATTLE
Large drain hole.
Smooth edges all around.
Drop leg swivel with HD hardware.
Able to put on/take off without removing your belt.
Wide elastic adjustable leg strap with quick release buckle.
The ability to attach other things to it.
 
Sorry guys but I like leather. Like Trade said oil or wax and its good to go.
 
I know a few people who use kydex in wet areas and they have the sheath fastened together with chicago screws instead of eyelets so they can take the sheath apart and wipe down the inside if they have to.
 
Kydex, with only Chicago Screws, no eyelets. That would be the best choice for a constantly wet environment. But to be honest, I'd choose a stainless lade for an environment like that.
 
I have kydex and leather and I love them both. Kydex is nice because it does not retain water, you can even store the knife in kydex for longer without it effecting the steel. Leather is just beautiful! Especially some of the stuff that comes from the guys here on this forum!
 
I like leather, and live in PNW. Just mind the water. But you can use leather here fine. The natives had not kydex, and managed pretty danged well. Take the beeswax tip to heart. And invest in an oil impregnated cloth. I believe the one I use is a Tuf Cloth. Oil at a hand's reach and you can carry it in your pocket or pack, because they store in a sealed bag.
 
"Pacific NorthWest" -- Yeah, here too, NW Oregon, "at the beach." My working guns are stainless w/ nylon stocks. That's pretty much de rigeur here. I like leather, have leather sheaths for lots of my knives, but I opt for Kydex if I'm going to use it in the field. I like the design concept here of being able to unscrew the halves and rinse things out.

I have the BK7 Becker/Camillus -- picked it up for about $50 with the idea that the sheath just didn't make it.

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I've made my share of leather sheaths. Now I need to look into Kydex fabrication.
 
Well thanks very much for the input everyone....i think to solve my problem im going to have to go for both..its the only way...cause they are both sounding good...i currently do have a leather sheath for my 2 but im digging on something on a more scout carry, the sheath i currently have besides the stock zytel is an effingham i believe..pic enclosed.

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Im am pondering though how comfortable would it be to carry scout style for a 9?

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Nah its an effingham era bk2 sheath i picked up off ebay a yr ago...i love the fact that it has a drain hole in the bottom but im not liking the fact that im only limited to belt carry for it.


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Given your situation rain etc, I'd go kydex. I prefer leather sheathes in most cases but in your situation the choice is simple IMO.

Make sure the design has a drain hole at the bottom :) (they all usually do)
 
I would go kydex, I just picked some sheets of kydex up pretty cheap and going to try to make some sheaths for some blades that have crappy sheaths. Looks easy enough on the utube vids:rolleyes:
 
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