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The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum This is the place to discuss all forms of sheath and holster making.

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  #1  
Old 03-09-2009, 08:34 PM
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Shankmaker Shankmaker is offline
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Kydex Scratches?

I have made a few kydex sheaths that are scratching the blades.
The scratches actually look like "chatter" marks. I have tried taping the blade before pressing the sheaths but that isnt working.

Any solutions or ideas to help me out?


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Old 03-09-2009, 09:49 PM
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NJStricker NJStricker is offline
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That's just the nature of kydex. Even after the sheath is formed, it will mar the finish of your blade. I've heard of makers lining their kydex to reduce that type of wear, though I'm not sure what they used. Some kind of thin felt, maybe.
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Old 03-10-2009, 02:56 AM
KLC KLC is offline
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One of the biggest culprits is kydex dust from when you cut/sand the sheath material. If this gets on the inside of the sheath and you don't manage to blow or wash it out, it will scratch up your blade finish forever.
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Old 03-10-2009, 07:28 AM
AcridSaint AcridSaint is offline
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I wipe down the inside of the kydex with a paper towel lightly soaked with acetone right before I put it together. The acetone attacks kydex and will melt it, so when I wipe down the inside it smooths everything down and I can get any grit off. Other than that, the only thing you can do is line it somehow so that grit and grime is cushioned somehow instead of being held against the blade. I've seen people use deer skin and also seen the moleskin stuff that you use for blisters etc.


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Old 03-10-2009, 07:51 AM
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Ed Caffrey Ed Caffrey is offline
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Something that MIGHT help solve this is when you mold the kydex, ensure that you cover the blade/handle with one, or even two layers of masking tape. This protects the blade, and gives a very slight spacing between the knife and the kydex.

Something that many makers do not think about is that a knife really needs to be designed specifically for a kydex sheath. More often than not I get calls/visits from folks having similar problems, that could be solved with a slight modification the the knife design. An example is my EBKs. If you look at them, the index finger cutout just forward of the handle is the area where the kydex "clamps". Kydex should hold a knife in place with this "clamping" action......not by fully compressing on the portion inserted into the sheath. There should be a audible "click" when you insert or withdraw the knife. Depending on the style of knives you make, the location where the kydex clamps, can be different, but you always want that clamping action to occur as close to the sheath's opening as possible.

I've learned that there is a lot more to kydex than just heating it up and molding it. Try the masking tape if you've not already, and then look long and hard at the knife design and how is fits into the kydex. You'll likely find some ways to make the two work better together.


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Old 03-10-2009, 09:33 AM
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Thanks for the tips guys.

I have been putting just a single wrap of tape on the blade before pressing.
I will try a little more tape to see if it relieves some of the pressure on the blade.

I do get the audible click when the knives go in the sheath so I should be ok with the looser fit around the blade .

I do think im cleaning it good enough . I dont think its loose dirt/grit etc because the scratches are always in the same place on all the knives.

I wasnt aware of acetone eating the Kydex but it does make sense sense now that its mentioned. Glad I didnt learn the hard way. Thanks Acridsaint.

I will also agree that working with Kydex is more then heating up and molding.


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Old 03-10-2009, 09:35 AM
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Are you mirror polishing the blade? Don't .....


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Old 03-10-2009, 09:44 AM
AcridSaint AcridSaint is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shankmaker
Glad I didnt learn the hard way. Thanks Acridsaint.
I found out when I wiped the texture off of some


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