Too much sheath retention

[mctrinket]

Hello all,

I have a couple of kydex sheaths with such tremendous retention on the knife that it takes nearly all my strength and power to remove the blade from the sheath itself. Needless to say, it makes me extremely uncomfortable to be unsheathing sharp things in this manner. When the retention breaks and the knife comes flying out it's always a surprise and a potentially dangerous moment.

Both of these sheaths were made by professional sheath makers of excellent reputations and crafted specifically for the model knife that is sheathed within. There is nothing wrong with the sheaths or the knives.

My question is: What is the best way to "break in" the sheath so that the retention no so tremendous it's a power struggle to unsheathe my blade?

Thanks!

 

[LEGION 12]

Ive had that problem with a few of mine and somebody suggested to wrap the blade with masking tape then heat the sheath either in the oven or with a hair dryer to a low heat . Then put the blade in the sheath let it set remove the tape and you should have loosend it up . Done it to a few of mine and it definitly helped how much tape you add determines how much space you make . Hope this helps Rich.

 

[mctrinket]

Hmmm. Thanks. Maybe I will give that a try. Not sure what temperature to set the oven for to roast kydex though. I guess I ought to start on the lowest setting.

 

[Komitadjie]

I'd start with a hair drier at some distance, I think. Better to start gentle and take it up slowly than to hit it with too much heat and remove too MUCH retention.

 

[LEGION 12]

Hmmm. Thanks. Maybe I will give that a try. Not sure what temperature to set the oven for to roast kydex though. I guess I ought to start on the lowest setting.

I didnt use the oven tempature is to eratic hair dryer is the way to go just take it slow .

 

[HeavyHanded]

Kydex will expand a bit just from being heated - the hair drier is the way to go, or a hot air gun set on low. I've also used a pan of simmering water - just dip it for a few seconds, take it out, repeat till it becomes a little pliable. By then its probably loosened up enough that further tinkering won't be needed. I like to do my Kydex mods next to a sink with running cold water - heat it up, reform it, and run under cold water to make sure it doesn't shift as it cools.

 

[jbmonkey]

mind you i am no expert, so fair warning....but when i run into this.....i just lay knife and sheath in the heat of the sun for a little tiny bit or stick it in my vehicle sitting in the sun for a very short time. then a bit of sticking in, pulling out loosens it up just fine. then back to the shade as it's hot where i am. use common sense though. a hot car/full sun will melt/deform kydex very, very quickly.

 

[Phydeaux]

When I've made Kydex sheaths, there is usually one or two spots that make contact which provide the retention. See if you can find the spot(s). Then carefully reheat and reshape those spots. I don't reheat the whole sheath, just spot heat it with a heat gun.

Ric

 

[blt-2-drg]

I've ran into the same problem on a few sheaths. My solution was to pop a rivet or two out of the sheath and add a chicago screw with a rubber spacer between the layers of kydex. This allows me to adjust the retention to my liking. I've done this to 3 or 4 sheaths now and its worked perfectly on all of them.