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Old 07-19-2022, 05:09 PM
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Phil McCracken Phil McCracken is offline
 
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Default Kydex Knife Sheaths

Well the "Knife under $200.00" started this. Then the "Knife Sharpening" one followed. Both excellent threads!

So I'll start this one.

Been making knives for almost 3 years now, and sold many as is...without sheaths.

I have noticed that many knifemakers (including our AO member Clint) are using Kydex for many of their knife sheaths.

So after a bunch of research, I decided to order all the required materials/tools to do so. And once I can master this process, will include them with my knives also

I realize that some prefer leather...which is all good...

Input appreciated...Thanx....
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Old 07-19-2022, 05:19 PM
obsessed1 obsessed1 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil McCracken View Post
Well the "Knife under $200.00" started this. Then the "Knife Sharpening" one followed. Both excellent threads!

So I'll start this one.

Been making knives for almost 3 years now, and sold many as is...without sheaths.

I have noticed that many knifemakers (including our AO member Clint) are using Kydex for many of their knife sheaths.

So after a bunch of research, I decided to order all the required materials/tools to do so. And once I can master this process, will include them with my knives also

I realize that some prefer leather...which is all good...

Input appreciated...Thanx....
Kydex is pretty simple to do. Im sure you will master it in no time. Leather sheaths are also much easier to make than one would think.
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Old 07-21-2022, 02:40 PM
badbrass badbrass is offline
 
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Well with all the knife making there should be a sheath making thread! When Clint C. send a message on why he did what he did! It made sense, used magna cut steal , used what he used in the handle, and used kydex, it to make the sheath made sense! All weather knife!
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Old 07-21-2022, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by badbrass View Post
Well with all the knife making there should be a sheath making thread! When Clint C. send a message on why he did what he did! It made sense, used magna cut steal , used what he used in the handle, and used kydex, it to make the sheath made sense! All weather knife!
Leather generally looks nicer but IMO kydex is much better for a hunting situation.
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  #5  
Old 07-21-2022, 08:13 PM
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Leather generally looks nicer but IMO kydex is much better for a hunting situation.
That is what I'm thinking...Thanx...
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Old 07-21-2022, 08:22 PM
badbrass badbrass is offline
 
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The more I look at the knife and sheath, the more I like it! But that's just me! everyone is different! I Like the Kydex!
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Old 07-22-2022, 08:09 PM
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As far as leather vs kydex, my answer is always that it depends. Leather has the feel and a great degree of art can be applied. Kydex is utilitarian, secure and everything but heat proof.

I usually prefer kydex myself.

Phil, toaster oven, heat gun, laser Temp reader and even clamping is your friend.

Riveting layout and shaping is where a good sheath stands out from the rest. You'll get the hang of it.
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Old 07-23-2022, 09:17 PM
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When you figure it out I need a kydex holster for my sog seal pup. When I got it I’m before deploying to Iraq all they had was the nylon which I’m not a fan of!
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Old 07-23-2022, 09:20 PM
raised by wolves raised by wolves is offline
 
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Kydex has a place as it can be very convenient for certain designs and methods of carry. The only downside to Kydex is it can be noisy. Any little branch or grass that drags across it and the sheath sounds like a resonating chamber.
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Old 07-27-2022, 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by raised by wolves View Post
Kydex has a place as it can be very convenient for certain designs and methods of carry. The only downside to Kydex is it can be noisy. Any little branch or grass that drags across it and the sheath sounds like a resonating chamber.
Not if it's quality, formed properly and has the knife in it. The tinny, made en masse models are exactly how you describe.
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  #11  
Old 07-28-2022, 04:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rem338win View Post
As far as leather vs kydex, my answer is always that it depends. Leather has the feel and a great degree of art can be applied. Kydex is utilitarian, secure and everything but heat proof.

I usually prefer kydex myself.

Phil, toaster oven, heat gun, laser Temp reader and even clamping is your friend.

Riveting layout and shaping is where a good sheath stands out from the rest. You'll get the hang of it.


Very true.

Although I have a toaster oven which I use for tempering blades, I will attempt something different heating the Kydex. I will try an electric griddle and check the temp with my laser reader. I know that some sheath/holster makers use that method...
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  #12  
Old 08-29-2022, 06:10 AM
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Well started doing this little side gig as I finally have most of the materials/tools/hardware I require.

I now have 6 Kydex colors to play with. Will be ordering a few more colors soon.

Already made a couple prior to these ones, and one was gifted to a member here. First one was "recycled"...

L to R:

A foldup Buck filet knife. Bit of challenge due the the shape and handle size).

A handcrafted gutting knife. Bit of a challenge here as the cutting edge is below the spine line, and the front round tip is thicker than that.

This is a standard shape small utility knife with purpleheart handles.

Anyway, thought I'd share a few pics...




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Old 08-29-2022, 06:29 AM
Athabasca1 Athabasca1 is offline
 
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Phil, nice work you are doing.
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Old 08-29-2022, 06:35 AM
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Way to go! Look just as good as what Crotts sent his knives in!
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  #15  
Old 08-29-2022, 06:43 AM
JBE JBE is offline
 
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Is there a secret from removing a knife from a kydex sheath? I got a new dozier knife with this sheath but wow, hard to get out.
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  #16  
Old 08-29-2022, 06:59 AM
Athabasca1 Athabasca1 is offline
 
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Originally Posted by JBE View Post
Is there a secret from removing a knife from a kydex sheath? I got a new dozier knife with this sheath but wow, hard to get out.
Grip the handle with your fingers and push down on the top of the sheath with your thumb. Pull the knife out. Works on both of my Dozier knives.
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  #17  
Old 08-31-2022, 10:04 PM
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Phil McCrack, thanks for making my knife case, it will come in handy this fall, thanks again
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  #18  
Old 08-31-2022, 11:04 PM
fishnguy fishnguy is offline
 
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Those look great Phil! I would bet the black one works best. Does it?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JBE View Post
Is there a secret from removing a knife from a kydex sheath? I got a new dozier knife with this sheath but wow, hard to get out.
I made a post on the subject not long ago in another thread: http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...32#post4545932
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  #19  
Old 09-01-2022, 06:11 AM
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Phil McCracken Phil McCracken is offline
 
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Originally Posted by fishnguy View Post
Those look great Phil! I would bet the black one works best. Does it?


I made a post on the subject not long ago in another thread: http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...32#post4545932
First of all, thanx for the kind words folks!

fishnguy: They actually all work fine, despite the different shapes. But yes the black one is the best out of those three.

The one that was the most challenging was the gutting knife, mainly due to the blade design. As you notice, the spine has different radiuses, and the cutting edge between the tip knob and thumb holder is "recessed". Completely different that a normal straight blade. I had to do internal filing, and learned a few tricks in the process.

But at the end the day, I managed to get the "click" I wanted, which I'm sure you know what I'm talking about..
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Old 09-01-2022, 06:22 AM
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Nice work. To date I have never owned a Kydex sheath. Will get a couple with the new knife to give them a try. Will be interesting to see if I warm up to them.
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  #21  
Old 09-01-2022, 06:34 AM
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Looking forward to trying mine!!!

Ol, sns2 placed an order with Mr McCracken

And, I must tell you. Mr McCracken is an exceedingly easy gentleman to work with. Super duper accommodating and thorough. Helpful to the 9s.

Don’t anyone ask what I ordered cuz I ain’t telling none of you buggers until I get it. I think it’s gonna be a gooder. Can’t wait to get er and try er out.

Last edited by sns2; 09-01-2022 at 06:40 AM.
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  #22  
Old 11-26-2022, 07:28 AM
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Phil McCracken Phil McCracken is offline
 
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Here's a few more I recently completed.

The "double knife" sheath a customer wanted was a bit challenging, and he was happy with the results...




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  #23  
Old 11-26-2022, 10:46 AM
Pathfinder76 Pathfinder76 is offline
 
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For my use, this is my favourite sheath. Phil, would you be able to recreate something like this?

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  #24  
Old 11-26-2022, 12:08 PM
obsessed1 obsessed1 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil McCracken View Post
Here's a few more I recently completed.

The "double knife" sheath a customer wanted was a bit challenging, and he was happy with the results...





Great job on that double..that is not a simple job... I made a double a while back that was similar except it was two sheathed held together by the belt loop band....sonit could be worn as singles if desired...you do great work....keep it up
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  #25  
Old 11-27-2022, 05:59 AM
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Phil McCracken Phil McCracken is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pathfinder76 View Post
For my use, this is my favourite sheath. Phil, would you be able to recreate something like this?

PM sent.
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