Work in progress, need input on a sheath

Matt Shade

Matt Shade

Joined
Nov 24, 1999
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Here's a knife I'm making to donate to our guys in Iraq. After looking some things over, I'm planning on sending it to the adopt a sniper program (www.adoptasniper.org , so far everything I have found says that its legit, and they seem to be doing some good stuff)
For the most part they need a good strong working knife, so I stretched my large hunter pattern out to 11" OAL with a 6" blade, and added a double lugged integral gaurd. Made out of 1/4" thick O1. Handle scales are 1/4" thick black linen micarta. I think it will serve pretty well as a knife/shovel/hatchet/possible crowbar .
I'm putting a rust browned finish on it so its not reflective which is why the handle scales are only temporarily pinned on in the picture. Its got the first coat of acid on it right now.
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So here's the question....
I'm going to make a kydex sheath but I'm not sure what carry method is best? Any ideas? I don't really know much about how they typically set their gear up. I can put a large clip on it, or a belt loop, or? Both? I know some of you guys have made knives for the military before, what kind of carry method is popular?
Thanks for any ideas.

As a side note, I don't want to open a can of worms here or bring up any old arguments. I'm not asking anyone to do anything (except answer my question ;) ) and my motives for sending this are simply to support our troops and hopfully make life a little easier for someone out serving our country.Thanks.
 

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This is just a suggestion but I think a multiple carry method would work best. Vertical and horizonal option. High ride on the belt and close to the body would be good. I have no military experience, but it looks like alot of soldiers carry knives in the upside down position on the left or right of their chest. Maybe I've seen to many war movies. :eek: :D Seriously a fixed blade that size is probably best riding high on the hip. Just my 2 cents. :)
Scott
 
That's looking very good Matt. Did you grind that this fast?
Unless things have changed, and they may have, a sheath that will allow carry on the web gear is preferable.

The idea is that you never really take your web gear off in the field. It's a little like sleeping with your boots on. If you need to move, you always have the essentials even if you can't grab your pack. You grab your rifle and go.

The inverted carry is very limited. It gets in the way and makes noise.

That should be a great knife.
Think of snipers the same way you think of hunters.
 
Maybe look into the large Tek lok. It has inserts available to help keep it tight on the belt if that's what its clipped around. I would make a few points on the sheath where it can be attached with the Tek lok so that they have plenty of options. If anything I'm sure our boys could play with some 550 cord and the holes in the sheath and rig up something ;) I think what you and the other guys who are in on this "donate a knife to our troops" thing are great :) Tek Lok Sheath reference
 
peter nap said:
That's looking very good Matt. Did you grind that this fast?
Click to expand...

Thanks Peter
Yep, I started it Sunday afternoon, cut it out and ground it. Yesterday I heat treated it and finish ground it, and today I cleaned it up a little bit and made the scales. I blew out the plunge a little bit on both sides, but I'm pretty happy with how its turning out. This is the limit of what I can make with the equipment I have. Any longer and it won't fit between the wheels on my bench grinder, made it pretty awkward at times. I had to take the work rest off to grind it too, which is something I don't do very often (grinder vibrates too hard to grind freehand very comfortably). I think its time to start saving up for at least a Coote if not something even better.


I appreciate the input guys. I don't think I can do a Tek Lok, don't have any on hand and don't have any experience with them. I'm hoping to get this thing finished and on its way pretty quick. I'll start thinking about what you all said about web gear and belt loops an all and see what I can come up with. I'd appreciate any other ideas as well.
 
Good looking knife, the only advice on the sheath is make many atachment points and at least two means of secureing the knife in the sheath for jumps.

A few years ago we just duck taped our K-bars to our harness, but I understand they've gone to a load bearing vest thing, so not sure how that would work.
 
Check out Frank SIgman's sit for some ideas re: carry systems. His sheaths are made for the best of the best in Special Ops
http://www.edgeguardsheaths.com/es_1mainframe.htm

Although I don't do kydex I have made many sheaths for Special Forces types and the best bet is a multi carry system - for belt carry, web gear, etc. As Will said a good SECURE carry is in many ways more important especially when jumping - Doing a HALO into "Indain Country" and finding that your knife is "somewhere" else is not a good thing!
 
Thanks Chuck, those pictures help alot with ideas on what to try :)

I've got the browning done and the epoxy is setting up on the scales. Should be an hour or two trimming pins and finishing the scales, and then its onto the sheath. I'm hoping to have it finished and pictures posted before the end of the day tommorrow :D Thanks again for all the advice everyone
 
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