Nylon vs. Leather knife sheath

Coupchoux

Coupchoux

Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
767
I've just ordered a Spec Ops Navigator knife sheath (SOP-NAVSH). I don't know too much about nylon sheath : what's your opinion, is it stronger than good leather?
 
Stronger? Probably not. More versatile? Maybe. It'll dry quicker in most cases. Most nylon sheaths have a kydex liner, so you're back to dealing with kydex. It may need to be shaped, so it helps if you know the oven trick and how to shape kydex. In my book leather wins. Leather has class, and tradition. Kydex outperforms leather in some ways, so it depends on the application. A custom-fit quick-draw leather sheath is a beautiful thing
 
I've got several spec-ops sheaths they've got the kydex insert which is good. One thing the spec-ops is pretty water and weather resistant. I mean it still gets wet but you don to have to be as concerned with it as leather, and it dries fast. Where as the leather sheath needs alittle more care. Don't get me wrong though i love a good leather sheath. It just depends on the conditions that you and your knife sheath will be up against.
 
It's all personal preference. Each material has it's own drawbacks and pluses. Nylon dries faster and won't crack or rot like leather will. Leather will not tear or burn as easy as nylon. And you can reshape leather if it gets loose. But leather can rust a knife if you leave it in there. Nylon usually has some kind of liner and a blade can be stored in it for much longer. I personally prefer a pancake style kydex sheath with lots of eyelets. Gives you hundreds of mounting options. You can store a knife in it forever. You can use it as a platform to attach other goodies better than leather or nylon, it doesn't tear, it doesn't rot, and it dries instantly when you whipe it down. But it's weakness is heat. You leave it in the truck on an August day or too close to a camp fire and it might not hold your knife so great anymore. Though like leather you can reform it. Plus it can crack. But for me it's the best. And I used to be a lined nylon guy. Never been a leather fan unless it's a pouch type bushcraft sheath.
 
Kydex can get brittle enough in really cold weather that it may crack if flexed. It also contracts with cold, and a knife may stick in a close-fitting kydex sheath in very cold weather, making it hard to withdraw. Leather doesn't have these problems, and leather is quieter going through the brush, which makes it a good carry choice for hunting knives.

On the other hand, if you wear leather in the rain it will absorb water and pose a greater rust risk to the blade it carries. It also has to be re-conditioned after it gets wet to retain suppleness, whereas a kydex sheath can simply be drained and left to dry. And you can store a blade in kydex indefinitely with no affect, while the acids in some leather sheaths can invite rust. INFI seems fairly resistant to this, but other carbon steels will readily develop a patina if left in leather.

I prefer leather for hunters but kydex for use around water and in wet weather.
 
Prevailing wisdom is that if you're going to be in and around water alot kydex or nylon / kydex would be the best bet. I along with others above love the feel of a good custom leather sheath though. I guess if you are predisposed to worrying about whether your children's children will have any problems with it, the plastics/nylons should last forever as long as they aren't exposed to high heat.

I've got a few knives that I purchased both a leather sheath and a nylon / kydex for.
 
Thank you. You all give me very good and practical opinions : kydex AND nylon will be quieter than kydex alone, weather resistant but not with hot ans cold temperatures.
I know how to work leather and I appreciate the qualities of a good handslitched leather sheath : with sheep grease on it it's really strong. But I'm curious to try more modern materials. I will post pics.
 
I have three Spec Ops sheaths, so far so good. :)

Got my Mole Jack in a Survival Sheath, Badger Tac in a mystery (modified when I got it) , and RC6 in a Combat Master.

If a leather fanatic can vouch for them, they've gotta be worth a hoot. :D
 
All of my knives ride in either Spec Ops Brand Combat Master sheaths or custom designs made by Dan at Semper Paratus Tactical.

I always prefer leather over nylon.

-Stan
 
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