Tops Kydex Dulling Knife?

P

PokeyThings

Joined
Jan 14, 2023
Messages
6
Been a long time reader, but this is my first post. I apologize in advance for the length.

I recently got a Tops Fieldcraft 3.5 (mini B.O.B.). I don't like blade coatings, so I etched the logos/serial (ferric chloride) and stripped the black coating (paint stripper). In the process of etching with ferric chloride, I accidentally etched off portions of the edge. I was using several coats of nail polish, but likely didn't let them dry long enough or prepped the blade poorly. Either way, I spent a good amount of time reprofiling the blade by hand, then with a lansky. The blade was back to shaving sharp. Taking off hair with virtually no pressure and push cutting paper. Great.

Then I put it in the Tops sheath it came with (I removed the clip and put on a spare IWB belt clip from Armatus - I don't like OWB for edc). I carried the knife IWB in the factory sheath for a week and it was noticably more dull. I tried shaving some hair to validate what I noticed and it would not. Tried a paper test and it took some manipulation to get through printer paper. I thought I must've done something to dull the blade. As a result, I resharpened with the lansky and got it back to shaving sharp. Two weeks later, the same issue, but worse. I tested the knife on my nail and it didn't bite. Simply slid across my nail. This is something I've never experienced. I have always kept a knife IWB, but have always used custom kydex sheaths (Armatus the last couple) and never had issues.

I keep my knife on me IWB every day, but during this time frame I used it very infrequently. Between the first and second sharpen I opened an Amazon package bag or two. The second sharpening, maybe less as I was traveling.

TLDR Has anyone experienced kydex sheaths, specifically Tops, dulling knives? Not sure how a very sharp knife becomes dull sitting sheathed on the waist - in my experience anyway.

Thanks for any input in advance.
 
The edge may just be rusting away. 1095 tends to readily oxidize.

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
The edge may just be rusting away. 1095 tends to readily oxidize.

n2s
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Thank you for the input. I keep the blade pretty well oiled and don't notice any rust/corrosion, but maybe it could be on the edge and it's just not noticable? My previous edc for several years was an Izula 2 in 1095 sharpened at the same angle in an Armatus Carry sheath before I tried out a larger blade and I never had this issue.
 
Kydex shouldn't dull your edge but FRN (fiber glass) will, for sure. IMO, the design of the sheath is very important. If the edge sits snugly against the sheath it will rub constantly (especially IWB) and get duller without actual use. A well designed sheath should have the blade sitting quite freely while the snug point should be at the bolster. With such a sheath, even FRN won't noticeably dull your edge.
 
My fixed blade contigo sheath dulls the edge with contact. I can sharpen the knife and just wiggle it for a bit... bam! Dulls spots near the belly area.
 
Good to hear I might not be losing my mind. I don't feel and movement on the sheath, but it's noticably more dull after a week of sitting on my hip.
 
herisson said:
Kydex shouldn't dull your edge but FRN (fiber glass) will, for sure. IMO, the design of the sheath is very important. If the edge sits snugly against the sheath it will rub constantly (especially IWB) and get duller without actual use. A well designed sheath should have the blade sitting quite freely while the snug point should be at the bolster. With such a sheath, even FRN won't noticeably dull your edge.
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I appreciate the reply. Idk if I got a bad sheath and I don't feel any play. I'll definitely be moving to my go to Armatus Carry sheath. I just wanted to give the stock Tops sheath a shot.
 
"No play" might be the rub (eh,...). The knives I like which came with lackluster Kydex or FRN sheathes will eventually get a leather sheath. But a leather sheath is just as finnicky to get right. Leather softens / loosens over time, so... Poor retention is usually the result. Blade dulling, not so much.
 
herisson said:
Kydex shouldn't dull your edge but FRN (fiber glass) will, for sure. IMO, the design of the sheath is very important. If the edge sits snugly against the sheath it will rub constantly (especially IWB) and get duller without actual use. A well designed sheath should have the blade sitting quite freely while the snug point should be at the bolster. With such a sheath, even FRN won't noticeably dull your edge.
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I agree that the fit is important, as is making sure the edge doesn’t scrape on sheathing/re-sheathing, but kydex generally has a Rockwell R hardness of 90, and will dull an edge when scraped.
 
herisson said:
"No play" might be the rub (eh,...). The knives I like which came with lackluster Kydex or FRN sheathes will eventually get a leather sheath. But a leather sheath is just as finnicky to get right. Leather softens / loosens over time, so... Poor retention is usually the result. Blade dulling, not so much.
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It's definitely nothing I've experienced before. Being in Florida, leather is unfortunately not an edc option due to rain/humidity. I've had sloppy fitting kydex, but never experienced dulling. If there was a leather IWB option that was water resistant I'd be all over it. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

I appreciate the response.
 
I’m wondering why we don’t see more Cordura sheaths. Recently bought a Cold Steel Trailmaster with a great Cordura sheath. Stiff, quiet, doesn’t dull the blade, carries nicely. Made me wonder why we don’t see more of these types of sheaths
 
rlewpolar said:
I’m wondering why we don’t see more Cordura sheaths. Recently bought a Cold Steel Trailmaster with a great Cordura sheath. Stiff, quiet, doesn’t dull the blade, carries nicely. Made me wonder why we don’t see more of these types of sheaths
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I like Cold Steel's Cordura sheathes. They are nothing to stand in awe about, cheap as it gets, but they work very well. Especially : the blade sits free, no rubbing. The tight fit is at the bolster / handle. Just like the Nordic Leukku or Puukko sheathes. They might be an option for P PokeyThings although I don't know if the lining is a sort of cardboard or a generic plastic (which would be better, of course, for wet conditions).

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