What REAL advantage does Kydex have over leather?

[rkh]

If you insist on using leather you shouldn't use the same holster two days in a row, just like with shoes.

You're sound like my girlfriend. Wearing the same shoes two days in a row? Inconceivable!

 

[mrmeval]

Leather will cause steel to rust, it can even cause stainless to pit. It is not a good idea to store a gun in a leather holster or a knive in a leather sheath.

 

[Flopsy]

If your leather holster is causing your gun to rust, then your holster and/or gun sucks big time.

I acknowledge some advantage of kydex, but: leather is more comfortable, pieces won't break, is highly durable, and can be more concealable as it molds to your body.

I would never hold a kydex holster in higher esteem than my VersaMax II.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Kydex is puppy proof.

A few years back, I heard strange, but nonthreatening sounds coming from the other room, but could not investigate for about 20 min.

When I got around to it, I found my german shepherd mutt gnawing on my main carry piece's holster. There was one or two toothmarks, but not much to show for the full, undivided attention of a puppy for that length of time.

I doubt even the highest quality leather would have survived, and yes, I still use that holster to this very day.

 

[badbowtie]

I will take my galco any day over kydex it fits closer to my side also Don't have to worry about will it crack if lean up against something to hard or lay on it.

 

[GigaBuist]

A freind of mine said he could tell if someone was a police officer by the smell of leather. I guess he assumed all cops used leather rigs.

Thanks. An image of the Village People just popped into my head.

 

[Biker]

Now *that* made me laugh!
Oh, and uhhh...no Village People/Biker jokes if you please.

Biker

 

[Shaughn Leayme]

I have used Kydex as both an IWB and an OWB, not really comfortable IWB, but it was quick on and off and was very secure when tightened.

OWB was loud, when it connected to something hard, nice clack, instead of a dull discrete thud of leather.

It is nice if you have a pistol that hasn't been dehorned and has forward cocking serrations, such a pistol can literally eat a lightly made IWB, even one of quality.

Have went back to leather as it is more comfortable and in my opinion more suitable for myself and my daily regimen.

 

[Big Mike]

I've washed my Kydex in the dishwasher.

 

[GW]

If your leather holster is causing your gun to rust, then your holster and/or gun sucks big time.

I stored a Randall bowie in it's (Randall made) leather sheath only to discover that the sheath did indeed cause the blade to pit. It is the chemicals in the leather that caused it. neither the knife nor the sheath sucked. It is just what leather does

 

[Shaughn Leayme]

GW,

Take some bow string wax and boiling hot water and pour the boiling hot water over the blade and then while the blade is hot rub the wax over the blade, liberally coating it, then let dry and you can then put it back into the sheath, with little worry about any damage, from the oils or compound's that may be in the leather or moisture absorbtion.

Been doing it for years, especially useful when running traplines in the winter and coming into a warm structure for the night after being out in sub zero weather all day.

An added bonus, is if you do any game processing/skinning the blade cleans up much easier.

 

[chipp]

glocks are dishwasher safe?

 

[Black Majik]

glocks are dishwasher safe?

From what I've read some of the Glock Talk people have stuck their pistols in their dishwasher. I'd be reluctant to put my dishes in their afterwards though.

But man, I wish I can clean my 1911s that way.

 

[the naked prophet]

I stored a Randall bowie in it's (Randall made) leather sheath only to discover that the sheath did indeed cause the blade to pit. It is the chemicals in the leather that caused it. neither the knife nor the sheath sucked. It is just what leather does

Then they used the wrong kind of leather. Different types of tanning are used for different applications. Chrome tanning is bad for gun finishes. Vegetable-tanned leather (which is what I use for my holsters) does not rust a gun or knife as long as there's no moisture trapped in it. And if the holster maker does it right, there should be no moisture trapped in the leather and it should have a finish that prevents moisture from wicking from your body onto your gun.

A cheap leather holster is much worse than a cheap kydex holster. But a well-made leather holster is much better than a well made kydex holster.