Double Knife Kydex Chef's Sheath

[BRad704]

This was my very first try at kydex and I am WAY pleased with what I have learned. #1, I molded my revolver first to test the molding foam I got, then redid the knife sheath. Kydex IS very flexible when heated, but you can't get stretches out once they are there. That's why you can see the cylinder outline in my sheath. I call that a learning experience well noted. #2, Make sure the rivet holes are in completely flat areas of the sheath. The spot you see with the chicago screw in it was juust on the edge of the knife impression, and the rivets aren't long enough. #3, If I want to use the belt loops that came with the kit, I will have to drill a quad of holes in the loop. (not pictured) but the double material on teh loop, plus the double thickness of the sheath means the chicago screws that came with it would be too short.

No, I do not ever plan on wearing this around my neck... it was really just to embarass my kids while I cooked breakfast. :highfive:

I do however, plan on resharpening both knives and keeping them in this sheath, inside the drawer. And I did not make the knives... this was kydex practice only...

 

[EmGeeGeorge]

very cool.

 

[Gordon]

Very VERY Kewl!

 

[lemaymiami]

Can you point me in the right direction if I want to learn more about working with Kydex?
Thanks

 

[BRad704]

mudinyeri and unloved both work in kydex from this forum... and there are infinite resources and guides on the internet to help explain it all.

This is the very first time I have ever tried, so I don't know that I am a "knowledgable" person yet, but I can tell you my process.

put the kydex on a cookie sheet and into teh oven, set it for 300 and then you have about 5 minutes to get everything else ready. I used 2 layers of sleeping bag pad on each side. (The blue foam pad you get at walmart in the camping section $6). once the kydex is soft and flexible, and really stinks up your kitchen, put your leather gloves on and take it out, lay it face down on 2 layers of foam, put the knives on it, fold it over to make the top edges line up, and then put your other 2 layers of foam on top. I used a solid cutting board to put over that, and then just stood on it for a few minutes while it cools...

 

[unloved]

Great first effort, but be careful, Brad. I'm not sure if it's just the lighting in your pictures, but the shine on your Kydex indicates to me that you overheated it. Same for the impression of your revolver. If it isn't overheated initially, Kydex can be reheated, and reformed, over and over again without holding an outline like that.

once the kydex is soft and flexible, and really stinks up your kitchen

This is another red flag. If you can smell it, you're definitely overheating. That odor is toxic gas.

 

[BRad704]

^ Oh snap... good to know.

Perhaps I should go get a heat gun and just do it manually...

 

[Mudinyeri]

Yup, 5 minutes is a LOOOONG time at 300°. It should smell like hot plastic but not like oven cleaner.

www.knifekits.com is a good place to get small amounts of materials. They also have some books that show you how to make holsters and sheaths. Alternatively, there are any number of videos that can be found on the Interweb that demonstrate the basics.

For those that are interested, here are a pic of a couple recent projects that I have handy at work.



I'm currently working on designs for IWB magazine carriers and in-vehicle holsters/mounts.

 

[txgunsuscg]

Mudinyeri,
Please show us what type of stuff you come up with for vehicle carry. I want to create a Kingston-style rig, but I'm not sure how to attach to the seat. I also want to work on a velcro backed holster for Maxpedition, etc, but I'm just getting into it.....

 

[BRad704]

I meant that I put the kydex on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven cold, then turned it up to 300F... I am gonna experiment with either much lower settings or just get a heat gun and work it from there...

 

[Mudinyeri]

Pre-heat your oven. Once my oven is pre-heated to 275, I usually don't put my Kydex in for more than a couple minutes.

txgun, what I'm working on for vehicle carry is something that would mount to the driver's side of the typical "pedestal" beneath the center gauge cluster. This would place the pistol just forward of the driver's right knee in most vehicles. It would be "unconcealed" yet not right out in plain sight and easily accessible.

 

[BRad704]

Good ideas all the way around (heat, car mount)...

I always liked the idea of a car mount on the right side of the driver's seat. It is natural to reach over and unbuckle when getting out...

 

[txgunsuscg]

Here is my latest product. It mounts my Kabar to my Safariland 6004. It's nothing great, thus far in my Kydex career, I've only made two sheaths....:banghead: