Kydex vs Leather Sheaths

Dr Rez

Dr Rez

Pisser of the Couch
Joined
Jun 7, 2012
Messages
760
Which do you guys prefer for your Beckers? Do you like the easy no maintenance of kydex, or the feel of leather? Does the climate you live in affect this decision?

For me I like that my custom kydex sheaths are nearly indestructible to everyday use, however the look and smell of leather can not be beat. Another thing to consider for me is when rushing my knife back into the kydex often times I graze the side with the blade which is definitly dulling it faster.
 
I have a leather sheath for another knife of mine, but both my current Beckers reside in their factory nylon sheaths; for the large price tag I just don't think there's that much more of an increase in usability. If I had to choose, I'd go with leather as it's quieter and softer and aesthetically more outdoorsy which is my style. I had a kydex for my BK9 and while it was a great sheath it was a little loud, the retention made it a task to un-sheath it every time, and aesthetically it didn't really fit the rest of my kit.
 
I have some kydex and it is ok. I always prefer leather, old fashioned thing I guess. I do question the useful life span of kydex and other modern synthetics. Its one of those things that only time will tell.
 
For me it all depends on the situation. I like kydex for its compactness, weight, retention and it drys fast . The factory Becker sheaths have there place with me on the larger blades 4,9 & 20. Open back kydex on the 21 :thumbsup:. I like leather shoes a lot more than leather sheaths :D pancake kydex sheaths allow a quite and smooth in and out over a taco style. Open back also smooth and quite ;)
 
I would not store a knife, especially a carbon steel knife in a leather sheath - though I do like leather.

Beckers are users and Kydex certainly has its place in utility. Of the Kedex sheaths I do have, I notice variations in fitment; even some more expensive "brand name" Kydex rattles - but I put up with all of that for the functionality of Kydex.

But there is just something about leather that's knice.
 
I prefer the look and feel of leather myself, so my belt knife is usually carried in leather pants. Larger Becker’s get carried in their stock sheaths. I do use a kydex sheath during winter though, especially when I’m out ice fishing.
 
Usually leather. I appreciate the qualities of good kydex. I get that they are darned near indestructible. If I were taking a knife into the jungles of South America, where it was constantly either humid, or raining, then I would likely choose Kydex, but then again, I also would also probably pick a stainless steel knife, so a Becker would be out of the running anyway...

Much like KingMC KingMC , the leather sheaths fit my style better. It's more about the feel, and the enjoyment I get than simply a matter of pure function. Makael Makael made me a phenomenal custom leather sheath for my BK4 a couple weeks back. While the weather and my own schedule has kept me from putting it to full use yet, it's a thing of beauty and craftsmanship, that even the best Kydex can't replicate. Kydex just doesn't have the same subjective warmth and charm that good leather does.

As an additional benefit, I live in a cushy, soft, suburban neighborhood of Hartford CT. A more "old timey" leather sheath is simply less intimidating to most of the uninformed people around here, and less likely to spook people if I stop at the supermarket after a hike and forget to take my BK16 off in the car.
 
19-3ben said:
As an additional benefit, I live in a cushy, soft, suburban neighborhood of Hartford CT. A more "old timey" leather sheath is simply less intimidating to most of the uninformed people around here, and less likely to spook people if I stop at the supermarket after a hike and forget to take my BK16 off in the car.
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Excellent point about the leather. Sadly I feel like I'm always trying to make my stuff look less intimidating.

Another problem with leather that I see a lot on the LT wright Facebook page. Is people putting the knife back in at slightly the wrong angle and slicing the top wide open. Or possibly their leg. Especially when you wet form them. The blade can only go in one way and you will cut the sheath open if you miss.
 
knifejunkie1928 said:
Another problem with leather that I see a lot on the LT wright Facebook page. Is people putting the knife back in at slightly the wrong angle and slicing the top wide open. Or possibly their leg. Especially when you wet form them. The blade can only go in one way and you will cut the sheath open if you miss.
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I've found it to be more of an issue with pouch style sheaths, than with the kind where the blade slips into a flat part, and then a retention strap snaps over the handle, like the design on the traditional USMC Kabar sheath.
 
I find that for a belt knife I prefer leather.
I like tight Kydex for my BK11 neck knife. As for the big knives (BK9, BK4) I like Kydex as well because I’m usually just tossing them around from spot to spot.
 
I prefer leather ... I understand in some situations why kydex might be a good option ... but guess I'm old school and other than a few big blades I much prefer leather ... it just feels like it's missing something without it.
 
I like both and it’s hard for me to decide which to use sometimes. Normally I’ll use a 710 kydex taco rigged scout style on my back if I’m doing quick yard work and will only be using it minimally (not as easy to insert on the back). If I’m going to be on the trail or processing a lot of wood I actually use a kabar stock big brother sheath which fits the bk9 very nicely. I like the convenience of being able to snap the kydex sheath on and off my belt without having to take the belt off, but the leather big brother sheath is really quite comfortable especially if I have to crouch or move around a lot. I actually still use the stock cordura sheath sometimes too, just strapped to my pack via molle. I’ve been using the bk9 for about 4 years now and still can’t decide which I like the most but I will prob end up getting a custom hybrid made with a firm leather belt loop. I tried a friends dangler rig during a trip last winter but I just couldn’t get it to carry comfortably unless I had it strapped to my leg as well, but that’s prob just me. I really like the thick wide rigid belt loop on the big bro leather, it’s even a little wider than the standard Kabar leather, which eliminates the need to strap it down to my leg, but still flexible enough to be extremely comfortable when crouching or getting into vehicles.
 
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