What is your favorite type of fixed blade sheath? Opinions only!

[Grease]

I'm a huge fan of how versatile and tough kydex is. That said, lately I'm being drawn towards the classier, less tactical look of a nice leather sheath...

 

[flatblackcapo]

This is the way I like to carry my small fixedblades (3.5" and under).Stays out of the way,very comfortable (no poking me in the side while sitting),easy to get to,always in plane sight (we have an no concealed fixedblade law in Ca. I don't like to tuck my T-shirts in and if your shirt is covering your knife it can be considered concealed)

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[Mossyhorn]

I like kydex with a Tec-Loc.

 

[GODSPEED TACTICAL]

I have been looking at getting custom sheaths made for some of my fixed blade knives. They all have about 6 inch blades. I am really torn between klydex and leather, and several different styles. I am drawn to the leather scout sheaths, but I am not sure how practical the are for a larger fixed blade like a rsk mk2 or esee 6. I hear wonderful and terrible things about klydex. I love the looks of the leather dangler sheaths, but do not really understand the purpose of them dangling. I am mainly thinking about camping or hiking activities. I also like to wear my 5.11 backpack a lot, which is totally molle compatible.

I am interested to know what some of your favorites are and possibly why.

I'll start by saying that the wonderful things you have heard about Kydex are true.... and the terrible things you've heard are lies

For knives in that size/range a dangler is awesome... for any of the activities you listed you'll end up sitting down at some point or driving and with a proper dangler there's no need to remove your knife. You don't need a full-blown thigh strap either, if the dangler is mounted high enough (center of gravity) the whole rig will be more stable.



Here's are a couple examples of the ESEE-6 you mentioned with a dangler:

Just like you I was torn for years between Leather Scout-carry and Kydex sheaths so I bought one and it was a great sheath but it was leather and just wasn't doing the trick.... so I went into my lab and came up with this:

Here's one for the ESEE-6:

I though I'd just use leather on a Kydex sheath and have the best of both worlds but this is much better, there is no leather on these sheaths. The material I use for the straps is guaranteed for life (materials AND labor) it's much stronger than leather, won't shrink or crack and doesn't retain moisture... basically this is my modern take on a classic design that is bomb-proof. I've also taken the time to space the straps to attach to molle-webbing too so it can go from your belt to a pack strap to molle-webbing, etc.


This is one of the first Kydex Scout Sheaths that I made but it shows how it carries:

The center space can be taken up with accessories that are interchangeable:

I've got a couple of them that I gave guys to "beat-up" and I have two that I carry and it's a great option that I considered "closed" in the past.


Eli

 

[Lycosa]

That's a nice set-up, Kevin!

 

[james terrio]

The correct answer is, it depends. I prefer leather myself. But I concede that if low-maintenance is a big priority and a fine blade finish is not, Kydex is probably the way to go.

Kydex can be rinsed out.

So can good leather sheaths. It's a simple matter for a sheathmaker to provide a drainage hole and seal the inside of the leather before assembly. We do it with ours simply in case you fall in a lake or stream while wearing your knife (hey, it happens!) Admittedly, this is not quite as fool-proof as washing out a Kydex sheath, but unless you're in some awful combat situation, why would you put a knife away dirty anyhow? That's what pant-legs are for

 

[MNofUSN]

I love the kydex sheaths i make, because they are 1 of a kind, they are IMHO are very nicely made, any they hold a knife in any position.

 

[jaymack9100]

+1 for leather!