Tactical style sheath for RMD

[Feezle]

So I am driving myself crazy with sheath options for the RMD. I would like a sheath that I can carry vertical on my belt that has a decent size pouch and possibly a firesteel loop.

The option I love is a kydex pancake with Esee Molle Back and pouch. By the time I add on all those options though, I'm looking at well over $100.

I've also been looking at the Spec-Ops sheaths. What I am confused about there is that since the kydex doesn't cover any of the handle, the retention seems to to be all on the blade which from what I have read is not a good thing. I have thought about getting one of those sheaths and seeing if I can find a kydex bender that will make me an insert that covers an inch or so of the handle so I can ditch the retention strap. Anyone ever do this? I have seen a lot of threads about the spec ops but I have never seen that done.

What are the opinions on Esee modular vs spec-ops?

If this isn't the appropriate place for this post, feel free to move it. I just figured I would get some feedback from RMD owners.

 

[jbob24]

Azwelke makes inserts for spec ops sheaths :thumbup:

I haven't used the ESEE system personally so I can't say how good it is, but it certainly seems nice

 

[Feezle]

I see. Do they cover the handle by chance? I'll have to contact him and see what his options are.

Also, will an altoid tin fit in the spec ops sheath?

 

[jbob24]

I see. Do they cover the handle by chance? I'll have to contact him and see what his options are.

Also, will an altoid tin fit in the spec ops sheath?

I don't own any of his sheaths, I've just seen some of the pictures other guys have posted they did cover the handle

The pouch on the spec ops will NOT fit a a fullsize altoids tin, there's plenty of other small containers that will fit tho... Get creative

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

Hey Feezle,

The RMD is my all time favorite knife and Ive experimented with just about every possible option of carry. Here's what Ive learned/ conclusions Ive come to

Spec ops is not the way to go due to weight and poor retention. Also you have to have the knife strapped in which means if you want to deploy it you have to unsnap the strap and that takes time.

The ESEE Molle system is ok but its very expensive and you have to tie a paracord leg strap around your leg to keep it from flopping around when you walk and also to keep it in place when you pull out the knife.

The method I currently used on all my medium sized knives is this:

I use a kydex sheath with an ESEE pouch attached to it and then carry it on my side or small of back horizontally. This allows a great deal of mobility when wearing it and its also the fastest way to draw a knife.
I am right handed so I carry the knife on my right side so that when I draw the knife I draw it with a reverse grip. This means that I can quickly access the knife in an emergency and have it ready to use.

You can also draw the knife with a normal grip and thumb pressure.

For me this is THE absolute best way to carry a medium sized blade.

Here's a pic of my RMD setup. Al welke kydex + Tek lock + ESEE pouch + firesteel loop.

Here is the ESEE Molle setup and a Spec ops type sheath with a custom liner.

And here's another ESEE Molle Setup with the RMD.

 

[Feezle]

Nice! The poor retention and having to mess with the strap is why I was wondering about the custom insert. I have never used a tek-lok before and have never carried horizontally..I guess I could give it a shot. I have thought about going with the same configuration you have and making myself a basic leather belt loop for it. I do have some tooling leather and some basic leather working tools. I toyed with the idea of making my own sheath but I definitely want to have something else so I can take my time on my own. If I didn't have a sheath already I'm sure I would rush it and mess it up.

Did you get the firesteel loop from Al as well?

 

[Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.]

I think I got the firesteel loop from Al. Not positive but he does them for a good price. I think 3 to 5 dollars.

 

[biglapdog]

Hey Feezle,

The RMD is my all time favorite knife and Ive experimented with just about every possible option of carry. Here's what Ive learned/ conclusions Ive come to

Spec ops is not the way to go due to weight and poor retention. Also you have to have the knife strapped in which means if you want to deploy it you have to unsnap the strap and that takes time.

The ESEE Molle system is ok but its very expensive and you have to tie a paracord leg strap around your leg to keep it from flopping around when you walk and also to keep it in place when you pull out the knife.

The method I currently used on all my medium sized knives is this:

I use a kydex sheath with an ESEE pouch attached to it and then carry it on my side or small of back horizontally. This allows a great deal of mobility when wearing it and its also the fastest way to draw a knife.
I am right handed so I carry the knife on my right side so that when I draw the knife I draw it with a reverse grip. This means that I can quickly access the knife in an emergency and have it ready to use.

You can also draw the knife with a normal grip and thumb pressure.

For me this is THE absolute best way to carry a medium sized blade.

Here's a pic of my RMD setup. Al welke kydex + Tek lock + ESEE pouch + firesteel loop.

Here is the ESEE Molle setup and a Spec ops type sheath with a custom liner.

And here's another ESEE Molle Setup with the RMD.

Good info thanks!

 

[PayetteRucker]

I use a Benchmade Nim Cub sheath for my HRLM. You can get an aftermarket Nimvarus or Ontario nylon tactical sheath for 15-20 dollars.

 

[Feezle]

Got a pic of that?

 

[Need2Know]

If you decide to go with the short Spec Ops consider that it accommodates up to a 6" blade. I pressed my RMD Bowie variant firmly into it to see if the kydex insert would take some of the handle. Well, it does. If I were to heat and shape the Kydex to the knife, I believe it would fit nicely. The handle retention strap would just be added assurance when needed. And while an Altoids or Sucretts tins are too big, something the size of a Camel Snus tin (for pouched tobacco) fits nicely and leaves room in the pocket for other small items. It is not the least expensive sheathing option but an option all the same.
I still recommend looking into some custom kydex.

 

[j man]

Esee/Azwelke combo,All that gear fitsrather well in the pouch too.
This is my survival / Bail out, set up.

 

[chiral.grolim]

So I am driving myself crazy with sheath options for the RMD. I would like a sheath that I can carry vertical on my belt that has a decent size pouch and possibly a firesteel loop.

The option I love is a kydex pancake with Esee Molle Back and pouch. By the time I add on all those options though, I'm looking at well over $100.

I've also been looking at the Spec-Ops sheaths. What I am confused about there is that since the kydex doesn't cover any of the handle, the retention seems to to be all on the blade which from what I have read is not a good thing. I have thought about getting one of those sheaths and seeing if I can find a kydex bender that will make me an insert that covers an inch or so of the handle so I can ditch the retention strap. Anyone ever do this? I have seen a lot of threads about the spec ops but I have never seen that done.

What are the opinions on Esee modular vs spec-ops?

I previously carried my RMD in a short Spec-Ops combat master (~$40). The thermo-form plastic insert comes wide and a bit longer than the RMD blade, so I used a heat-gun to easily mold the insert tighter on the blade (to prevent rattle) and to clasp the micarta and guard - a PERFECT fit without custom kydex, retention is on the guard and micarta (not the blade). That said, the insert doesn't extend much beyond that, certainly not a full inch, for that you'll need a custom insert and Al certainly can provide. My spec-Ops pouch does NOT fit a standard altoids tin, you should go smaller. I keep a leatherman, firesteel, & flashlight in there.
I personally find the retention strap useful in the same manner as a standard KaBar sheath's strap, namely to prevent the handle from leaning away much and also to keep branches and straps from snagging it.
I drop the sheath from my belt and strap it to my thigh, my preferred carry for all blades of this size for oh so many reasons.

Recently I moved the RMD into a canvas sheath from the Yard (~$20) - again formed the plastic insert the grasp the knife as above, but the sheath was made for 7" blades so the RMD sits much deeper, pouch-style, which is why I made the switch - I like it! I may yet get a custom kydex insert in that one to improve it.
The Spec-Ops sheath now holds my SYKCO 511, but I reformed the insert so as not to clasp the handle and wear on the Resiprene C.

I utilize the ESEE system with kydex from Al for my HRLM - the MOLLE-back & pouch were factory-2nds but the set-up still put me back ~$80 total (more if you count the kydex that the mailman at my office misplaced and I never recieved). The ESEE pouch fits the HRLM blade perfectly, but the MOLLE-back is a bit long... and also very WIDE & bulky compared to the Spec-Ops, not as low-profile, I might be better off with just the pouch and getting a drop-leg platform to strap the set-up to... hmm... Anybody interested in an ESEE factory-2nd olive-drab MOLLE-back?

So that's my take - the Spec-Ops is harder to come by but less costly (probably so even with a custom insert) and lower-profile. The ESEE set-up is bigger and pricier but also more modular as you can add/subtract parts to alter your carry-preferences if desired (esp. with the addition of a Tek-Lok, but that's more $$ yet and adds bulk).

My $0.02

 

[Feezle]

I just picked this up.

Waiting to snag an Esee pouch at a decent price. If I can't get one, I may go with a Max Expedition pouch. I'm going to try making a leather drop loop and I'll eventually get a Tek-Lok as well.

 

[GLOCKCRAZZ]

Something like the RMD sheath I made in the pic should not cost well over $100 even if you add a pouch to it.

 

[GODSPEED TACTICAL]

Don't have an RMD and have only made sheaths for them from customers knives (need to get my own soon) but I've been making what I call "Pouch-Sheaths" for a while now and there's alot of really cool options for them.... including piggybacking smaller knives like a Swamp Warden, Scrapivore etc.

Here's a basic model for a Fletcher Knives "Bush Operator":

A piggy-backed rig for one of my favorite combos (ESEE-6/Izula) with a dangler:

The Izula sheath can/does work independantly of the six sheath and could be mounted to a pack or anything else.


Customer photo of an ESEE-3 mounted to a pack:

ESEE-4 Pouch-Sheath:

I've got picks I need to find of some with the 5/6MB but honestly, if you don't need the retention strap you're gonna find that even with a re-molded insert that they flop around alot. I don't sell many anymore because the Kydex loop I make is far superior for belt mounting, and with the dangler it's easy to forget you've got a big knife mounted to your belt. It is "interesting" to see others making them fit their sheaths now. Next guy who needs a sheath made for the RMD I'm just ordering one to add to the "stable".

Hope this helps.


Eli


edited to add:

Forgoing the Molle Back also keeps you out of the "100.00" range too.

 

[wjswiger]

I'd opt for Chuddy Bear leather in all respects......nothing better at twice the price!!