Sheaths: What do you expect out of them?

[Crewdawg]

I was just looking at a couple of higher-priced (to me) knives, and one of the things that made a small difference in favor of one company over the other was offering my choice of a kydex or leather sheath with the knife, while the other company didn't even offer a sheath as an option! That helped sway my opinion, but was not the only factor nor the most important, because like Moose said, there are some very talented sheath makers here on BF, so I see it as a benefit to throw some business their way to get exactly the style of leather sheath I want.

That said, I hafta ask the question that brought me to this thread in the first place: what is the advantage of kydex? I see a LOT of "brand new" or "unused" knives listed with the caveat that the "minor" scratches are due only to "normal" use of a kydex sheath! I admit that I prefer leather cuz I'm old school, but I have also heard of people modding their kydex sheath with a file or buying an aftermarket kydex because the factory kydex dulls the blade! I don't get the appeal of kydex over leather. Not trying to hijack the thread, but could someone explain the appeal to me, other than you like to go swimming while wearing your knife and sheath and so it dries easier?

 

[marcinek]

Me too, but then I hate having the strap there all together.

I like a retention strap...I just hate when the "back" of the "female" part of the snap is exposed inside the sheath and can scratch the knife. I have some very good knives where they did that on the sheath. They just steamed me. Pet peeve.

They either didn't think about what they were doing, or nickel and dimed the sheath. Grrr!

 

[Voracious Souls]

I expect it to hold the knife, and hopefully have a belt loop. I don't get nearly as disappointed from a bad sheath as a lot of people seem to, I buy the knife for the knife, not for a fancy sheath, so a sub par sheath doesn't bother me.

 

[filedog]

That said, I hafta ask the question that brought me to this thread in the first place: what is the advantage of kydex? I see a LOT of "brand new" or "unused" knives listed with the caveat that the "minor" scratches are due only to "normal" use of a kydex sheath! I admit that I prefer leather cuz I'm old school, but I have also heard of people modding their kydex sheath with a file or buying an aftermarket kydex because the factory kydex dulls the blade! I don't get the appeal of kydex over leather. Not trying to hijack the thread, but could someone explain the appeal to me, other than you like to go swimming while wearing your knife and sheath and so it dries easier?

I don't know if it's so much an "advantage" as a "difference", but a well made kydex sheath lets you slide the blade in easily AND secure it with one hand.
Well made kydex sheaths also don't dull your edge. For me, I like leather sheaths with wood scales and uncoated blades, and kydex for G10 or micarta scales
and coated blades.

 

[hiwa]

The main reason I got into making my own out of leather was because a lot of factory ones suck....but not all of them. As long as it has reasonable sturdy construction , good retention , relatively easy and fast withdrawal and doesn't look goofy , I'll leave it.

Some sheaths ( like the Ontario Spec plus line , etc. that only have a velcro closure...I just added a snap on top of it. Took all of 5 minutes with a snap setter kit from Tandy and a hole punch.
Some needed a rivet here and there , and others where just plain crap , so I make my own ( usually pouch style) from scratch. I can usually whip one up in a day.

My buying decisions are usually not affected by the sheath , but if it is nice when they give you a choice between leather, kydex , or nylon and combinations thereof.

 

[unklfranco]

I like Kydex because of the moisture concern. It is also lightweight and durable. Top end leather sheaths are like Prada bags for knives, they are very expensive and personal. If they do get wet, they do retain moisture for a long time and can get ruined. I would not want to risk damaging such a fine piece of craftmanship. I still want to display my knives in a controled setting in Top end leather but when I really take them out in the wilderness, its Kydex all the way for me. For the OP, I want them to hold my knife securely and in a easy place for me to get at them.

Unklfranco

 

[endurawave]

For me I want to be able quickly and cleanly pull my knife, and put it away just as quickly.. When I'm carrying my knife I'm not doing jumping jacks, or running for my life from Zombies
So I don't need hard to opperate snaps and clips. Just give me simple...

 

[GODSPEED TACTICAL]

I was just looking at a couple of higher-priced (to me) knives, and one of the things that made a small difference in favor of one company over the other was offering my choice of a kydex or leather sheath with the knife, while the other company didn't even offer a sheath as an option! That helped sway my opinion, but was not the only factor nor the most important, because like Moose said, there are some very talented sheath makers here on BF, so I see it as a benefit to throw some business their way to get exactly the style of leather sheath I want.

That said, I hafta ask the question that brought me to this thread in the first place: what is the advantage of kydex? I see a LOT of "brand new" or "unused" knives listed with the caveat that the "minor" scratches are due only to "normal" use of a kydex sheath! I admit that I prefer leather cuz I'm old school, but I have also heard of people modding their kydex sheath with a file or buying an aftermarket kydex because the factory kydex dulls the blade! I don't get the appeal of kydex over leather. Not trying to hijack the thread, but could someone explain the appeal to me, other than you like to go swimming while wearing your knife and sheath and so it dries easier?

Really good question. Kydex in and of itself doesn't make a sheath better because a poorly made Kydex sheath will dull your blade just like a poorly made "glass-filled nylon" sheath will... just a little slower. It's possible to have some really bad experiences with Kydex and it really comes down to "design" and "function" not just the material used. There's a lot of sheaths out there that are just molded to a knife and slapped with eyelets and called "custom".


Good points Moose, just thinking outloud here but I think KaBar would have a better fix if they just offered knives without sheaths altogether. I've begged them to sell knives (to me and in general) without sheaths but at the volume they do I don't think they could mark a knife down much anyways. I just think this option is overlooked and I think they could be sold both ways (with & w/out sheaths) similar to the way ESEE sells their knives. It would be pretty cool anyways.


To the OP my answer is biased and my ideas are a little out there.... maybe no sheath at all comes to mind and next is "belt-attachment" a lot of sheaths come without a good way to attach to a belt.


Now since there are some ESEE-4 sheath pics already posted and it's in the thread starter.... gentleman may I?

IWB

Eli

 

[james terrio]

Good-looking work there, Eli. :thumbup:

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of kydex. But it definitely has its place, and it can be done really well.

 

[A.L.]

Lot of thins matter and I have left many knives not bought due poor sheath. But what really matters the most for me is retention. I need peace of mind that the knife stays in. Also, I want the knife not to rattle around nor dull itself without use.