Newbie To Kydex was wondering if it will harm the finish on my knife?

D

DANJ

Joined
Dec 24, 2001
Messages
192
I have just recieved a shipment of kydex and have never worked with kydex before. I want to make a sheath for my cold steel japanese style tanto, i was wondering if there is a chance that it could screw up the finish (i know that you get small marks on the blade form normal use of the kydex sheath). The finish on the knife is pretty much satin finish.

Thanks
 
Anyone that says Kydex scratches a blade is wrong. I have seen rare cases where it will scratch a black finish but not the steel.

Of the 200+ sheaths I've made I've only scratched one or two blades and that was because I let sanding grit fall into the sheath cavity.

Now I only use sand paper when I absolutely have to and even then it's the highest quality 120 grit I can get, better paper does a better job of holding onto the sanding medium.

The majority of my finishing work is done with a scroll saw or band saw for shaping, knock the edges off with the 120 then get a finished edge with scotch brite pads, works beautifully.

If you don't have access to the saws I mentioned you can use tin snips with excellent results.

The only time I put the knife in the sheath is for molding, when I rough in the shape and then after I'm finished and have fully washed the interior of the sheath in soap and water. Never put the blade in after using the sandpaper unless you have washed it, all this will do is embed the grit into the Kydex and you'll have a heck of a time getting it out or it will always be there scratchin' away.

Good luck and have fun :D
 
Hi...

Dan writes..

"a chance that it could screw up the finish"

Yaaaa if,, you don't know what your doing and your not careful!

Cpirtle Writes

"Anyone that says Kydex scratches a blade is wrong. I have seen rare cases where it will scratch a black finish but not the steel. "


Thank God...
The Voice of Reason....

Agreed %110

Dan...
Do some searches and do some reading...

I've posted enough here on Kydex to write a small book....
Lots of info form Everyone on the subject...

Have fun...

ttyle

Eric....
 
Cpirtle,

Can you tell me who is the maker of the knife whose pic you posted ?
I think I just experience love at first sight.

Thanks =)
 
That looks like a Neil Blackwood Neck Ninja HD. Good luck getting your hands on one of those. I don't believe Neil is taking orders now, and not many who own them want to give them up. Some of the smothest flowing lines by any maker if you ask me. I wouldn't give one up if I had it either.:D
 
I just got the kydex and made a sheath for my fixed blade and a tomahawk. This stuff is really easy to work with. I was really surprised and it came out great. It almost came out as good as some stuff i have purchased from professional kydex makers.

Thanks for all the replies.

Does anyone know of a supplier of kydex who sells other colors than black?
 
I used to get Concealex from Blade Tech in 2x2 pieces, but I'm not sure if they still sell pieces or not.

http://shop.blade-tech.com/

If it's not on their page give them a call and see what colors they have available.

Concealex is very similar to Kydex but I like working with Kydex better. I've found that Concealex is a little more difficult to hit the "sweet spot" in temperature and has a tendency to curl more when heated. YMMV
 
DanJ,
Try this. Put one layer of Blue Painters tape over your blade and follow that up with 4 layers of regular masking tape, on each side before you mold your sheath.
Trim to fit and be sure it all goes on smooth.
Why you ask because this will keep the Kydex off the blade and still give a perfect outline of the blade. You can then make the blade tight in the sheath by heating the inside bottom tip of the sheath and putting a small indent where the tip of the blade rests in the sheath. This way just the tip may get a little mark on it. Secure the top of the blade by making sure the Kydex is tight around the guard.
These guys are right be sure to wipe or wash out
the sheath EACH time you get done sanding Etc.
Email me if you get stuck.
 
Any hard plastic will, over time scratch a satin finish. I have bead blasted knives with areas worn smooth from Kydex. I have since replaced all my Kydex with leather. If you care for leather it will outlast you.

Jack Crain experimented with Kydex and ditched it. Why? Because it scratched the finish of his knives. I'm not going to argue with him on that.
 
Hey Extreme..

"Jack Crain experimented with Kydex and ditched it. Why? Because it scratched the finish of his knives. I'm not going to argue with him on that."

He ditched it because he doesn't know how to use it....

Its not the sheath scratching the knife.....

"Wearing Smooth" and scratching are two different things..

A lot of knife makers don't know how to use Kydex for sheathing..
Beleive me.. I've seen it all...

Things that will make you go Screaming into the night...

Its not as simple as slapping some hot plastic over a knife,chopping it out, and then hammering something the resembles a rivet into it to hold it together...

ttyle

Eric...
 
I threw away 25-30 sheaths before I was happy enough with one to sell it, I'm sorry but I don't see how experimenting with a couple of pieces can produce a sound conclusion.

I've got several pieces that have been in and out of their Kydex sheaths (made by me) hundreds of times and show no wear from the Kydex. Many of which have bead blasted finishes.

I also make leather sheaths because for some knives or applications, leather is just better.

I think leather is best for knives with classic style and show pieces. I also use it for making sheaths for small fixed blades to be carried clipped to my pocket like a folder.

Leather can trap sand and debris just the same as Kydex but it can also be harder to clean out.

Both materials have draw backs but I think for a knife you're going to use a lot and for the ultimate in versatility and low maintenance Kydex is the way to go. How many leather sheaths can be carried 20 different ways?

You'll also never hear of Kydex rotting in the tropics.
 
All I'm saying is that one of the world's most renowned and respected knifemakers with 25+ years experience who's pieces sell for $300.00 to up in the 10's of thousands of dollars has had problems with it. I agree with his reasons. I think Kydex is a cheap alternative to other materials. I personally don't like it. The Navy SEALS don't like it either because it makes an audible sound when struck. But, it does have it's place and I'm glad that people have the option to sheath their knives in Kydex.
 
Originally posted by extremesurvival
P.S. Why would anyone need to carry a knife 20 different ways? You only have 2 hands.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: :footinmou

Indicating that you can carry a (singular) knife 20 ways and having 2 hands are mutually exclusive.

Show me a leather sheath that can be:
  • A neck sheath
  • An SOB RH sheath
  • An SOB LH sheath
  • A horizontal RH sheath
  • A horizontal RH cross draw sheath
  • A horizontal LH sheath
  • A horizontal LH cross draw sheath
  • All of the above with 1-2 positions of slant up or down (+12)
  • An upside down, inside the jacket sheath
  • An Inside the belt left or right handed sheath (+2)
  • Attached to a static cord and put in a pocket
  • ... Is that more than 20 combinations, I lost count?

All of that with one knife and one properly made sheath, and I probably left some things out...

But again, I agree leather has it's uses, but one of them is not versatility.
 
Right on, you know it all depends on the situation and personal preference.

You know what I'd like to see? A kydex sheath with a soft lining. I've seen Kydex with "skin" glued onto the outside and that's a neat advancement, it helps the looks and the noise reduction. I think it'll be very interesting to see how Kydex evolves in the upcoming years.
 
Hey Extreme...

The reason you have a sheath that is able to carry 20 different ways is "Options". You give the customer options...


As far as lining a sheath with material....

:) If you dislike scratching on your blades, you sure as heck Don't want a lined kydex sheath...

As far as making hundreds of knives.. I'm sure he knows quite well how to make a knife..

His use or not use of kydex doesn't mean he knows how to handle it..

I tried pottery once and sucked at it as well...

Synthetics is not for everyone, thats for sure.. Maybe you just haven't had a really good synthetic sheath.

ttyle

Eric....
 
True, very true. For the most part I'm pretty a old fashioned guy when it comes to knfe carry systems. I think the stuff at Survival Sheath Systems is going in a very unique direction. I like the multi- carry survival systems they have. (axe and knife/ knife and survival gear). Granted I have not used their products, but they look innovative and practical. Jerry VanCook at Tactical Knives Magazine raves about them as well. Some day I'm sure the right knife will come along that can't live without the proper Kydex sheath. When that happens I'll let you all know.
 
Hey Extreme...

I don't mean to pick away at your comments,, I just wanted to point out some misconceptions...

" think Kydex is a cheap alternative to other materials."

Kydex, Leather or Wood...

What other alternatives are there to sheathing materials ?

"Cheap" ?

You haven't priced a custom synthetic sheath in awhile eh! :)

"The Navy SEALS don't like it either because it makes an audible sound when struck."

This is another faulsehood...

If the Navy Seals want a quite synthetic sheath,, All they have to do is ask...These types of things are only myths that get spread around...

Bladerigger has been doing it for quite awhile now....

I don't think that synthetic sheaths are going to evolve much.. you may see new uses for it,, different ways of using them,,but a synthetic sheath is still going to be basically a synthetic sheath.. The engineering of the sheath doubtfully will change.. Quality and ingenuity will improve.

The only other way it will change is if the product itself evolves,,which could happen, but I doubt it much...

Again,, don't want to rag on you,,and please don't take it that way...
I just felt there were aspects of your post that needed my personal take on...

Maybe I'm wrong...:)

ttyle

Eric...
 
Originally posted by Normark
Hey Extreme...

I don't mean to pick away at....

Eric...
Click to expand...

What he said :)
 
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