Tactical sheath style question...or Kydex vs Leather

Originally posted by RobertHankins


Sounds like a silent draw is the only real concern so far...
Click to expand...

Well, it's not really a concern for me because my Riggercoated sheath is very silent :) besides, since I can withdraw in about 1 second...let's just say that people wouldn't have much time to notice or complain about the sound :)

RL
 
Kydex
I like Nealy's work, Yurco's work, and Sastre stuff.
I'm a fan of minimalist sheaths with maximum carry options. I want the sheath to cover the least amount of the handle possible.
 
I am really surprised that no one has spoken of how much safer a kydex or zytel sheath is. If you ever fall on a leather sheath with a knife in it and survive you will forever after look for something safer.

The safty factor allow you to carry the kydex or zytel sheath any where on your waist, front etc. A real no no with leather.

A. G.
 
I saw a KA-BAR D2 Combat Knife #1464 today at SMKW's rep day that had the best tactical sheath I've ever seen. It's made by Eagle, and is a top quality ballistic nylon over a hard casing for the blade (I don't think it's Kydex, but it's rigidity was similar), and the inner surface was lined with felt. Bump the sheath and it's quiet, unlike Kydex. Inserting and extracting the blade is totally silent, again, unlike Kydex. Yet it has the safety of Kydex-like rigidity. It doesn't snap into place like most Kydex sheaths, but it has a tight fitting strap on the grip that secures it very well.

Seems to me that this avoids the dangers that A.G. points out, without giving up the quiet nature of leather. It's not perfect, but it's the closest thing I've seen.

I don't know if this design is available for other knives, but it needs to be. If my life relied on a safe, yet quiet, tactical sheath, I'd pick this one over anything else I've seen.

Post #500 - Yiipppppeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Soft liners for kydex/Concealex sheaths is not really a good idea. They tend to hold moisture and collect dirt, which will eventually scratch the blade.
 
Ya know I could make a Kyedx sheath that is silent on the draw without too much problem.
I have been wrestling with the noise issue on the outside. Toying with the idea of covering it in Balistic Nylon, Kevlar, Leather or maybe a canvas type material of some sort.

Problem I keep running into is the edges. I do pouch type sheaths and I am sure I can get good enough glue for this but how would you keep the edges from fraying???
Keeps coming back to fitting the Kydex sheath into essntially another outer shell of soft material.

I have seen other sheaths made like that and no matter how well they are sewn they usually wind up looking or fitting like crap.

Open to suggestions or better yet pics!
 
Mike, That's a good point about the soft liner!

BTW - the Concealx sheath for my BF Blue Native is holding up GREAT!
 
This is one I made for a SF'er going to ASSganistan.
I'll post one of two more in a bit. Thanks for looking. Dean
 

Attachments

  • mvc-004f.jpg
    mvc-004f.jpg
    13.9 KB · Views: 120
Damn cool Dean.
By SFr I assume Soldier of Fortune!
no maybe Special forces;)
Thanks for the pics much appreciated
 
Robert:

I think you need to diversify your thinking a bit. A SWAT guy may not care about the noise, while a soldier might. Greg Walker says in his Battle Blades book that you don't want to be the guy who's hard sheath makes a big noise in the middle of a mission. Sucks giving your position away. And then you have the city dwelling urbanite who cay not care AT ALL about noise.

If I were you, I'd look into a straight kydex sheath, and some sort of covered kydex option too for those who need a little noise discipline. I know little about sheaths, but it seems there are 2 approaches to the latter type sheath. Either you make a kydex sheath and cover it, or you make a nylon sheath and have inserts.

I hope that helps!


Dean: Nice rig! Looks like a Grohmann with steel! Like others said, I prefer a small amount of sheath. Yoru sheath looks very secure but not huge and bulky. Awesome work!
 
I agree Crayola, sometimes I just look at it from the makers perspective.

Approaching it from the end users eye would help!

It is noisy material the trade off is durability and safety especially for parachutists Etc.
 
Robert, Crayola thanks for kind words, A.G. and Robert are correct about jumping with leather sheaths, some units are frowning on this as I'm sure some have been hurt. As I write this I know of no Regulation or Artical or FM saying what type sheath must be used jumping, although I'm on the lookout for one. The folks making sheaths and stating that they are "Jump Certified" I would like to see who certified the sheath and the write up on the testing. Anyway, here is another one I just did for another guy that I'm sure won't be exiting any plane on a belt or web-gear. But I'm sure it would take out just about anything in it's path once on the ground.
Take care and thanks again. And Crayola, you are right that is a Grohman, from A.G. Russell, I think the guy told me he bought it from the store while on leave.
 

Attachments

  • mvc-010f.jpg
    mvc-010f.jpg
    44.6 KB · Views: 101
Hey Robert..

If you need any help,, or the perspective of a sheath maker,, Please feel free to drop me a note...I'd be more than happy to speak with you about it....

Dean...

Jump certified... LOL

Being jump certified is different from one jump master to the next...

One guy, won't care what you jump with,, while the other guy will want it a certain way....

Jump certified in a general sense, it must have two forms of retention.. Whether that is duct tape, zap straps or a snap..Its all different...

ttyle

Eric...
 
Eric, what is considered jump certified is any piece of equipment that goes out of any aircraft while in flight that has been inspected, tested and deemed safe to jump, in order to be considered "jump certified" it must go through the(were talking Army)
US Army Airborne & Special Operations Test Directorate. They are called another name now but the job is the same. To certify any piece of equipment big or small that goes either out the doors or off a ramp and lands by parachute. They would set the standards by which any sheath would have to pass in order to be considered jump certifed.
Now anyone one can make a sheath that you can say is jump safe and then at the discretion of the unit or jumpmaster say yea or ney to the sheath on a airborne operation. Certified VS. safe two completely different animals.
If I ever come across the information on what the standard is for a sheath I will post it.
 
Is "Jump Certified" being confused with "Jump Qualified"? If I remember correctly the sheath has to have a hard liner and have at least 2 ways of holding the knife in place in the sheath. I really am not sure though. Where is a Ranger when you need em? :)

Edit, It took me a while to post, and in the meantime DeanC answered my question I think. :)
 
For 'traditional' carbon steel blades with natural grips (wood, stage, leather) I prefer a leather sheath, treated with SnowSeal.
For stainless blades, such as my Fallkniven F1, I like Concealex -- specifically, Normark's work. I've never seen a sheath better designed and fitted than the one he makes for the F1. Multi-adjustible, IWB or out, secure, and inconspicuous. I'll likely be packing that when we hike the Chilkoot Pass next summer.
For my 'tire jack with an edge', my original Becker Campanion, the ugly Eagle sheath it came with will do just fine.
 
Ed,
Just curious that you like Stainless in Kydex and Carbon blades in leather.
I agree they just look better matched up that way. But store an uncoated Carbon blade in a leather sheath and ther could be problemo's.

Thoughts...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top