Kydex suggestions wanted

[TAKtical]

Ive been working with kydex a lot lately. I started trying to come up with some misc items just to show what all I can do with the material. Aside from holsters, carriers, and knife sheaths, I started making Zippo carriers, Kydex front pocket wallets with integral money clip, and a kydex self defense (not really sure what to call it) weapon. I was hoping you guys could help me out with some ideas for other misc items that I could make. There are no silly ideas. Id like to hear about ANYTHING that you think would be cool or useful that I could make with kydex. Thanks everyone.

 

[JTQ]

I always think the "holster guys" could do a better job making cell phone holders than the "cell phone nerds" that make them currently. The downside for the holster guys is there are so many different cell phone shapes and sizes, and many are wearing protective covers that modify their shapes even more, you'd go broke trying to keep up with the different models. I suspect there are no "blue phones".

I suppose you could offer a holder for the phone you and family members own. That would be good.

 

[The_Next_Generation]

TAKtical, your stuff looks great and I like your logo!

I too am in the kydex business (just local stuff here and there).

One thing you may want to consider doing is beveling/rounding the edges of your products. I've found that it makes the item feel a little more quality (i.e. you took the time to make it more ergonomic) and it also reduces the wear on clothing. Especially if it is going to be in the pocket (like your wallet idea), it would be prudent to bevel the edges so it doesn't wear-through the material. If you are already doing this and I just didn't look hard enough, disregard what I just said

I am also curious as to how much time you spend on each holster. Start to finish takes me about three hours for a regular OWB rig. Also, where are you buying your materials from? I'm really tired of giving KnifeKits my money as they charge too much for shipping and undercut the material

Also, I have had GREAT luck advertising on armslist. If someone wants a holster for a gun that you don't have, its easy to have them drop off the gun for a few hours so you can make the holster.

 

[TAKtical]

JTQ, good idea. I could make something for iphones. Next gen, The edges are beveled and three stage sanded (including a final wet sanding) and polished. OWB kydex holsters run about an hour, (beveling/sanding usually takes 20-30 min) hour and a half. I get kydex from Curbell Plastics in Cleveland. They are local for me so I dont know what they charge for shipping but their prices blow knifekits out of the water for larger (4ftx8ft) quantities.

 

[The_Next_Generation]

Wow, that's really fast. Pressing takes me 30mins, trimming another 25mins, then I drill holes and add eyelets which takes 20mins. Finishing the whole thing up, matching all the edges, making loops and especially dialing retention can take another hour or more.

I use a dremel for all of the trimming, rough sanding and beveling. This is probably where I could use some more dedicated equipment to get the job done faster. What kind of tools do you use?

 

[Hometeached1]

How about a belt carrier for shotgun shells?

Or maybe a pocket holster for J frames or 380s like the LCP?

A stand for tablets?


I like the SD weapon/"knife" you have there, might have to get one.

 

[TAKtical]

Next Gen, Belt sander, scroll saw, band saw, drill press, arbor press, kydex press, dremel, many different grits of sandpaper, heat gun, toaster oven, digital infrared thermometer, journeyman series flaring die and guide, steel wool, yellow dish sponges with the green backing, grinder with felt wheel, several kinds of clamps, a vise, and elbow grease :]

 

[Armored farmer]

How about a magazine/flashlite combo holster?

 

[bigfatdave]

Mag + light in common sizes or set up for user to do final tweak on. (singlestack mag + 3/4" diameter flashlight, for example)

Common fixed blade knife belt sheaths. (Start with Kabar, maybe?)

BUG + mag for primary left-hand holsters. (example, right hand holster for 1911, left hand holster for 1911 mag AND a colt mustang or similar)

I've been having a crazy idea about a holster that goes from far right belt loop to far left belt loop for a while - with the "around the back" section just a few strips of Kydex linking holster on right and mags/light on left. I get annoyed when my pistol & mags start to slip towards the spine.

 

[viking499]

What is a Kydex press?

 

[TAKtical]

I like those ideas BFD. Viking, http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=41_524&products_id=636