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Which rivets for kydex sheaths?

Daniel L

Daniel L

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 2, 1998
Messages
2,008
I finally made a kydex sheath for my Spyderco Moran - actually I'm quite impressed with my "first timer" effort in terms of molding and fit retention.

But how do I join the two sides?

I used pop rivets/cherry rivets (the ones with the long stem you put in a rivet gun). Nice finish on one side but the other side was not - so I bashed it with a hammer. It works, but doesn't meet my standards of a well finished sheath.

So... is there a special kind of rivet/tool that makes both sides live a nice dome/flat?

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Daniel
A knifeknut in New Zealand
 
Good job, Daniel. It's fun stuff! I would suggest simply using chicago screws--or something similar. Then your sheaths, etc. are easily cleaned and adjusted, and you don't have to buy a rivet/eyelet tool.
Asta Pasta, MCK


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It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
 
I tried all the fastening places in Auckland (New Zealand) and no-one knows what a chicago screw is. Heck, I don't even know what a chicago screw is!! Maybe it's an American term?

I assume it is some some sort of screw-into-screw.

However, I'm trying to keep the profile as flat as I can which is why I prefer rivets.

Daniel.
 
You can get real rivet tools and rivets (as opposed to pop-rivet tools) anyplace they sell leatherworking tools and supplies, and at many fabric stores. Most of the pliers-type tools are pretty cheap and flimsy, and so are the rivets that come with them. I've had good results with the kind of tool you hit with a hammer.

Or you can just use a couple of brass washers and a short brass rod -- assemble, set on an anvil, and whack with a hammer.

-Cougar Allen :{)
 
The pop rivets work just fine but the broken off bit does nothing for appearance so I took a small pin punch and drove out the broken off bit then peened over the back side of the rivet. This improves the appearance greatly.

I also used the largest rivet that I could find for appearance sake.

George

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george
 
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