Ready for the first mod - a different sheath

netguy1999 · Nov 30, 2015

Ok. My new BK17 arrived in the mail today. The first thing I want to do is get a different sheath for it. The one that it comes with is functional, but BIG. I would like something a little more compact. Torn between leather and kydex.

My question is... What is everyone doing for a sheath for the BK17?

netguy1999 · Nov 30, 2015

TravisH · Dec 1, 2015

The Kabar Short Leather Sheaths fit the tweeners perfectly -1251S Brown, 1256S Black
They can be found online for $10 shipped.

Bobby3326 · Dec 1, 2015

I don't have a 17, but I do have a 16. Like you I thought the factory sheath way too big especially for an edc knife. I went with a 710 customs kydex sheath, and really glad I did. The guy makes an outstanding sheath and was just what the 16 needed to make it the perfect edc knife.

DavidCAndersen · Dec 1, 2015

The K-style sheath that L.T. Wright carries fit my 16 perfectly.

https://ltwrightknives.com/sheaths.html

NCSlice · Dec 2, 2015

tbhride said:
The K-style sheath that L.T. Wright carries fit my 16 perfectly.

https://ltwrightknives.com/sheaths.html

Yeah...that's what I'm talking about...

HoosierQ · Dec 2, 2015

Try something like this: These are for an ESEE-3 and an ESEE-4. Similar in size.

Warriorsociologist · Dec 13, 2015

tbhride said:
The K-style sheath that L.T. Wright carries fit my 16 perfectly.

https://ltwrightknives.com/sheaths.html

David -- do you reckon the K-style is long enough to accommodate a BK15?

netguy1999 · Dec 13, 2015

HoosierQ said:
Try something like this: These are for an ESEE-3 and an ESEE-4. Similar in size.

I like the look of these. Can you send me a link?

DavidCAndersen · Dec 13, 2015

Warriorsociologist said:
David -- do you reckon the K-style is long enough to accommodate a BK15?

I am out of town atm, but I will check when I get back home tomorrow evening to make sure.

DavidCAndersen · Dec 13, 2015

Warriorsociologist said:
David -- do you reckon the K-style is long enough to accommodate a BK15?

I tried my 15 and it is a little too long.

netguy1999 · Dec 14, 2015

I think I might try to make my own kydex sheath over the Christmas break. It doesn't look too hard. There's a place in town here that I can buy the material. I figure I'll make the press out of two heavy cutting boards. Now I just need to find an appropriate piece of foam. If anyone has any suggestions for technique or method I'd really appreciate it.

DavidCAndersen · Dec 14, 2015

netguy1999 said:
I think I might try to make my own kydex sheath over the Christmas break. It doesn't look too hard. There's a place in town here that I can buy the material. I figure I'll make the press out of two heavy cutting boards. Now I just need to find an appropriate piece of foam. If anyone has any suggestions for technique or method I'd really appreciate it.

For foam I bought one of the cheap, blue, closed-cell camping pads from the Wal-Mart. Cut it up into 6 equal pieces and glued them to a couple pieces of board. Has worked pretty well for me on the few things I have made.

NCSlice · Dec 15, 2015

I'm about ready. I pretty much have everything I need. Just scored a hunk of foam today on a job and that's the last piece I needed. Just gotta get it all assembled. I'm using a 2x12 for the base and top, stainless hinges and 1" foam. All stuff scored from jobsite trash over the past few months lol. My last hangup I guess is the clamping method. I don't really have decent C clamps, I have the kinda "milker" style but I'm not sure they'll be strong enough. I'm thinking I'll devise some method of screws or bolts that I can quickly torque down with an impact driver.

Is it possible to over smash the kydex? My initial plan is a taco style that will get a leather wrap.

Sorry...not trying to hijack your thread but maybe this could be useful info?

netguy1999 · Dec 15, 2015

NCSlice said:
I'm about ready. I pretty much have everything I need. Just scored a hunk of foam today on a job and that's the last piece I needed. Just gotta get it all assembled. I'm using a 2x12 for the base and top, stainless hinges and 1" foam. All stuff scored from jobsite trash over the past few months lol. My last hangup I guess is the clamping method. I don't really have decent C clamps, I have the kinda "milker" style but I'm not sure they'll be strong enough. I'm thinking I'll devise some method of screws or bolts that I can quickly torque down with an impact driver.

Is it possible to over smash the kydex? My initial plan is a taco style that will get a leather wrap.

Sorry...not trying to hijack your thread but maybe this could be useful info?

By all means, hijack away! I'm in the same boat. I have two heavy cutting boards (from Marshals on clearance) that I'm going to use. I was actually thinking about a leather lining. I have a kydex holster that is leather lined and I think that would be pretty interesting to try. I'm not entirely sure how to bond the leather to the kydex.

NCSlice · Dec 15, 2015

netguy1999 said:
By all means, hijack away! I'm in the same boat. I have two heavy cutting boards (from Marshals on clearance) that I'm going to use. I was actually thinking about a leather lining. I have a kydex holster that is leather lined and I think that would be pretty interesting to try. I'm not entirely sure how to bond the leather to the kydex.

Thats interesting! Hmm...maybe lay it in with the kydex while molding then rivet right through it. Need longer rivets though....and everything oversized of course then trim to fit.

Chameleonbear · Dec 15, 2015

NCSlice said:
I'm about ready. I pretty much have everything I need. Just scored a hunk of foam today on a job and that's the last piece I needed. Just gotta get it all assembled. I'm using a 2x12 for the base and top, stainless hinges and 1" foam. All stuff scored from jobsite trash over the past few months lol. My last hangup I guess is the clamping method. I don't really have decent C clamps, I have the kinda "milker" style but I'm not sure they'll be strong enough. I'm thinking I'll devise some method of screws or bolts that I can quickly torque down with an impact driver.

Is it possible to over smash the kydex? My initial plan is a taco style that will get a leather wrap.

Sorry...not trying to hijack your thread but maybe this could be useful info?

A press works better than clamps, I think. At least that is what I've kind of picked up from watching Derek do his.

I don't THINK you can over press kydex, however I would suggest putting tape or something around the blade otherwise you are going to make it TOO hard to remove.

netguy1999 said:
By all means, hijack away! I'm in the same boat. I have two heavy cutting boards (from Marshals on clearance) that I'm going to use. I was actually thinking about a leather lining. I have a kydex holster that is leather lined and I think that would be pretty interesting to try. I'm not entirely sure how to bond the leather to the kydex.

I would think that felt would be better in this case. However I don't think either one would be necessary and in fact could prove to be fairly problematic over time. Guns don't usually get pulled from their holsters nearly as much as knives do. I would be worried about the insert material breaking down over time.