Sheaths that handle dirt?

[Mark4444]

This might be a unique issues, I’m finding my kydex sheath loads up with dirt and badly scratches the blade.

Leather could better, but might have similar issues, and it’s just not as functional as kydex when it come holding the blade securely without a strap.

I’m trying out leather with copper liner, which I need to test.

I thought I would post here and see if anyone else has ideas or solved similar problems?

 

[Danke42]

This is a Winkler Belt Knife. The sheath is a hybrid made of leather, then boltaron, then a felt liner.

 

[ferider]

Really good question, OP. No good answer unfortunately, I’m trying to use leather whenever possible, keep the blades clean and ignore scratches … some sheath makers (e.g., Bill, Chad and Lorien) do really good on retention in leather without straps.

 

[AntDog]

This is a Winkler Belt Knife. The sheath is a hybrid made of leather, then boltaron, then a felt liner.

I had no idea that’s how those sheaths were made. Makes me want one even more. That’s such a good lookin’ knife, man. Jealous every time you post it.

 

[Danke42]

I had no idea that’s how those sheaths were made. Makes me want one even more. That’s such a good lookin’ knife, man. Jealous every time you post it.

It's really epic. It was tough to get when I got mine so lots easier to track them down now. The biggest problem is picking which one.

 

[Horsewright]

Done correctly leather does not need a retaining strap. Look above his left front pocket, and he gets on these kind of horses on purpose:

 

[Mark4444]

Those are nice! Do you find leather changes its grip pretty quickly with weather and use, or can this be fixed with design? Or is it how the leather is treated?

 

[Horsewright]

No my sheaths are not a friction based design. There is a cam in the welt that the knife has to ride up and over. Its referred to as a Loveless welt after Bob Loveless the knife maker that came up with the idea. Ya can often here the knife go "clunk" in the sheath when it is seated:

Horsewright on Instagram: "Sheath fit. What I’m looking for. #knives #knivesandsheaths #customsheaths #reels #reelsinstagram #reelsofig #knifereel #knifereels"

5 Likes, 0 Comments - Horsewright (@horsewrightclothing) on Instagram: "Sheath fit. What I’m looking for. #knives #knivesandsheaths #customsheaths #reels #reelsinstagram #reelsofig #knifereel #knifereels"

www.instagram.com

As far as leather treatment, the sheath is lightly oiled at the end of construction and then finished with BagKote.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Felt liners can pick up grit that will scratch the blade. A well constructed leather sheath will do just fine. I treat mine with SnowSeal to prevent them from absorbing moisture.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

I've found hot waxed leather holds up the best for aging and actual use (swiss sadlers of old). Not a big fan of resolene or other superficial "shellack" type finishes but I suppose it all depends on the application.

 

[thebrain]

I read a review of a Winkler knife that the guy went on some type of military maneuvers in the rain and didn't have the opportunity to remove dry and clean his knife in the overnight. When he went to use it the next day and had great difficulty removing the knife because the felt lining had held water and started some aggressive rust on the blade causing it to stick in the sheath. He said the knife was fine after some steel wool but the sheath remained wet for days and he had a regular kydex made for it. It was likely a salty rain or a great deal of sweat involved but felt doesn't dry well or quickly so if you think you will get soaked maybe go for something different.