What kind of Sheath do you prefer?

TKAZ

TKAZ

Joined
Feb 1, 2010
Messages
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Today I had the privaledge of having a rather long duscussion with two friends over what are the best sheaths, they didn't seem to understand they can each have their own opinion and I can have mine. anyway, I was wondering what your opinion was. what kind of material do you feel is better to make a sheath out of and why? does the size of the knife you are carrying make a difference in the sheath you choose for that knife? and so on.

Thank you my friends, I appreciate you taking the time to post your opinion! :)
 
I like Kydex, I can leave my carbon steel in them for years and still look pretty :)

I used to like leather, it reflects my character more than the tactical look kydex sometimes have but blades can rust if they are kept too long in them. Plus they crack (in my weather) and discolor and sometimes don't fit too nice.

If someone can line the inside of my leather sheaths with kydex (not too much form fitting, it'll scratch my blades in time) it'll be the best of both worlds :)
 
Anything but leather. I realize alot of knives just dont look right unless in leather but for me it is too muck trouble.
 
kydex or synthetic I use to didn't care but now only the best will do I don't have anything aginst lether but cheap chinese nylon it has to be a nice knife for me to buy it
 
I am a leather fan. Much more comfortable to me for carrying all day and I enjoy the character my leather sheaths get after a long time on my hip.
 
Materials:
I have a preference for leather unless I am going to be in the water or soaking wet. There are a few places I like to hike with a lot of stream crossing (sometimes the hike is up a stream) -for those hikes I like synthetic sheaths. As long as the synthetic is tough it is fine with me.

Style: -for regular sized bush knives - blades of about 3.5"-5"
I prefer a deep carry sheath with a swivel or dangler attachment. A loop is okay as long as it is high on the sheath. I also like scandinavian knives that have a pommel stud and a keeper strap for that stud built into the sheath. When the knife is sheathed it is comfortable to have as little of the handle as possible coming up above my belt line. I don't like when the handle of the knife sticks up above my belt -that really annoys me and I have never found it comfortable or useful to have that high.

Also, if the sheath is not a deep carrying sheath, then it had better have a really good retention strap that straps around a logical point of retention (ie -not a strap that goes around the middle of a handle -allowing the knife to move upwards until the guard finally catches on the retention strap, and by that time half of the blade is exposed for your fingers to come in contact with as you try to re-secure the knife -yah, I really don't like that). Kydex retention is okay but it has to be followed by a low carry attachment for my belt so that the handle is not sticking up high over my belt line.

I am not a fan of having pockets on my sheath, or loops for fire steels. I like to keep my kit gear separate from my belt knife. I like a sleek and simple sheath that is tough.

I have never been a fan of Tek-Loks or MOLLE Locks. I just don't have faith in them. They seem way to easy to disengage and I am not risking my most important tool when in the brush. Sorry, I know there are a lot of fans.

I do like to have grommet attachments -especially with kydex since it lends to so manny ways of attaching a knife using cordage. On leather, I don't like to have extra grommets unless the knife is very large (like a machete) -just a couple at the bottom is fine.

If the sheath has a loop -the loop should be the highest part of the sheath -I dont like when a loop is in the middle of the sheath (or top 3/4).

That covers most of my preferences. For really small knives I like synthetics -like an Izula etc. For really large knives and machetes -I generally strap them to my pack. I would like to try a thigh sheathing system. I bet that it would be comfortable -especially for larger knives.

GOOD THREAD -sheaths are a big factor in finding a knife. It is always great when your favorite knife comes with your favorite style of sheath.
 
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Only kydex for me. Leather looks great and ages well, but is heavy and absorbs sweat/snow/rain/peanut butter and never dries out. Unless the sheath is very well-designed and thick, it is too easy to slice a leather sheath on re-sheathing. Sure, a sharp knife will slice thin kydex too, but it's less likely.

Nylon would be functionally acceptable for a folder but I don't sheath folders. And all my fixed blades are too sharp for nylon.
 
Kydex. I still like leather but if I could only choose one material for all my sheaths I'd be totally happy with kydex for the knives and especially for the guns.
 
The Government said:
BTW ---TKAZ--- What is your favorite sheath?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I prefer Kydex. I'll use what came with the knife if anything. I think I'm going to invest from now on in custom Kydex sheaths for my knives. I'll use someone from this forum and spread the wealth and support the members. the problem is I don't keep knives very long, very high turn over rate, so I don't want to spend the money if I'm not going to have it long.
 
Kydex is a great option. I didn't really know what it was capable of until I joined the forums and saw all the customs.
 
I like the look of leather but real Kydex is more practical if designed right and fitted to the knife perfectly. To me perfectly doesn't mean a low tolerance form fit, it means I can deploy my knife often and not have it dull. Of course it has to retain the knife too. My biggest gripe about some Kydex sheaths and other plastic type sheaths if that knives in these types of sheaths seem to lose their edge a little just riding in the sheath let alone coming out and going in. Another small complaint I have is the wear they can impose on the knife finish where the knife clicks in and seats.

I still elect for real Kydex done well though. Leather is fine for most of my use though.
 
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