Thank you. I used to do that for a job, many years ago.

Dozier makes a great Kydex sheath, I don't think I put up the pictures here, so here are a couple more.

(Note Bill Harsey's signature above the guard)

TR

Probably a dumb question but I have to ask.

TR,

Is there any problems with the kydex sheaths scratching the finish on the knife?

I doesn't look it from the photo but I just have to ask.


Beatiful pictures.
Beatiful hardware, my compliments to the builders and the owner.

Well done gentlemen, well done.

Thank you.

The blade is covered with KalGard coating.

I have seen no marks and cannot imagine it is any worse on the blade than the moisture trapped in the nylon and leather sheaths.

Mr. Harsey or Mr. Reeve would be better qualified to answer that than I, since they have had them a lot longer.

TR

How a knife and Kydex work together and make scratches or not depends a lot on the fit. This means Kydex fitted too tight tends to make more abrasions. We don't want any kind of "rattle" fit so too loose is not good either. Kydex tends to hold occasional grit in it's surface, kind of like how abrasive particles bonded on a paper or cloth backing made into sandpaper can abrade steel. The huge plus side of Kydex is its toughness and "cut proof" properties. The plus's far outwiegh the negatives. If you have a knife that you are trying to maintain in pristine show condition (with this group, yeah right...), it would be best to not slide it in and out of a Kydex sheath too often. For operational purposes do not hesitate to use a sheath made from this stuff. When you manage to get the knife and sheath dirty take a water hose with good pressure and just hose out the inside of the sheath to get any dust, mud or grit out at the end of a job. If your concerned about cleaning in the field a good swishing in a stream for both knife and sheath will do, just plug the knife right back in and keep going. Yes I know there are places with no said stream. Upon return to base set the sheath out upside down for drying or use some compressed air to blow it out and it's ready to go again. Bill

I did not show the back side of this sheath. It has two small holes right at the tip of the blade for drainage, just as you would expect there to be in a good design.

TR

Reaper, Good that those holes are there for draining. The first job those holes serve in Kydex is good flow thru for blowing out with 100 PSI air hose in the shop to clean the sheath of any fine debris left over from making. Bill

I have a Dozier knife that came with their Kydex sheath, and the sheath has slightly worn the Micarta handle due to extensive field use. This wear does not affect the performance of the knife in any way, and if I just wanted the knife to look pretty, then I wouldn't have used it.

Nothing wrong with some honest wear. Good observation that this doesn't take away from function. Bill

I shipped a bolt gun to a custom shop for accuracy work.

I run into the gunsmith and he tells me he got it, but there was a problem, so I anticipate the worst and ask him what happened.

He tells me that the bolt, which was removed from the weapon for shipment, came unstowed and tumbled around in the box with the rifle.

I ask him if the bolt is damaged, and he says no, but it beat up the rifle pretty good.

I ask him if it will affect the way it shoots, and he says no, but it has some cosmetic blemishes now.

I tell him I don't care, just make it shoot.

He smiles and his employees laugh and grin as well.

Sorry, but that is the way I am. If you are afraid to use (not abuse) your gear, or get it dirty, you are a collector, not an operator.

I think NDD can confirm this about me.

TR

Leather Sheath
 

TR/Mr. Harsey...

How much is the leather sheath??? My knife should be arriving shortly and I would very much like one.
The leather sheath I have for my "Rigid" has worn well, but now the blade is poking thru the bottom due to the point wearing thru the leather.
Any suggestions on a good place to get it fixed or capped???
Someone you could recommend I send it to?

Thanks,
Eagle

Most definitely.

I have seen questions such as "Does ABC's coyote tan match XYZ's or is it a different shade?" I just laugh. My tan RAID has an OD TTFRB on top and two Woodland pouches on the back and side and a black Camelback and a black Gerber Mark II on it.

Besides, its all the same color and its all scratched as soon as you fall down the first mountain. And you will fall.

I like scratched up knives and bullet launchers and I like all my gear to be the same color - whatever color the nearest mudhole is. As long as they're sharp, shoot straight and don't dump my gear on the ground.

Re: Leather Sheath
 

Eagle:

Somewhere around $50, the price is not on the site.

crkinfo@chrisreeve.com

Chris Reeve Knives
11624 W. President Drive - Suite B
Boise, ID 83713

Tel: 208-375-0367
Fax: 208-375-0368

Just call, they are very nice and helpful.

I think that they are currently out of leather sheaths, they can give you the real answer when you call.

TR

Reaper, Thanks for answering Eagles question, same answer I was getting ready to type in. Eagle, When you contact CRK about leather sheath ask how long it will take because I know the leather shop is near CRK and they can get fast answer. Bill

Re: Leather Sheath
 

I could say something about Old Dudes that use leather in the jungle, but I won't.:D

NousDefionsDoc, I like the way you color coordinate! What is the best knife sheath for your use?

I like synthetics better than leather for the jungle. My leather sheaths have always rotted. SOE or SOTECH is making some that look nice, but I haven't tried them yet. I think one of them makes the sheaths for Stryder. My Gerber is in some kind of synthetic one now and I haven't had any problems with it.

Of course I'm not as active as I once was.:D

I'll have to check out those other sheaths. I know the Strider guys, always a late night with that special Irish black water when we meet up. Yes I know about leather rotting out in the jungle. same problem with leather holsters. Thanks, Bill

You're welcome sir. If I'm not mistaken, they are PALs (or whatever they call it) compatible as well. MilitaryMoron, eggroll or Razor would be able to tell you details. This PALs stuff seems to be all the rage.

And you can color coordinate your outfit if you use synthetics. LOL

NDD, I'm checking out that type of gear now via the 'net. Do you know what PALs stands for? Yes I've been watching the modular designed systems as they come along. Boy do I have a lot to learn. Bill

me too. I can't keep all the names straight - PALs, MOLLE, SPEAR. LOL. I have no idea what it stands for. Reaper probably knows.

Thanks for saying that. It's sometimes hard to know how to match up our attachment points or what type of fastener/belt loop size to use to cover all uses. maybe we should just supply a roll of cammo duct tape. Bill

Mr. Harsey,

If I may suggest. I obviously can't speak for everyone on here. I think you guys should just stick to a loop that will accomodate a 2.5 inch belt. With 2 eye holes on the bottom so you can thread 550 cord through.

The way I look at is that G.I.'s have been Gerry-rigging there knives sheaths to whatever there needs are that they have probably mastered the art of how to attach there knife sheath in any way they see fit while utilizing a standard belt slot.

Plus some people like keeping there knife on there belts so no matter what if they have to ditch there 2nd or 3rd line gear they don't have to worry about ditching there knife.

Just my .02 cents.

Thanks for the info
 

Mr. Harsey/ TR...
Thank you both for the info, I'll shoot them a message and see what they come back with.
On leather sheaths...
The other "inconvenience" that I experienced was that couldn't jump the silly thing on my LCE.
Perhaps it has changed, but previously we were not allowed to jump any fixed blade that was not in "kydex" or some other synthetic sheath.
Any current JM's want to chime in on it???

Eagle

Most pants belts are 1.5", with a few at 1.75". Rigger belts and gunbelts are up to 2" wide. The issue web pistol belt is 2.25".

You span 1.5"-2.5", you should have it all covered.

TR

For hunters I make a leather belt loop at 2 inches unless the customer wants it tightened up to fit a 1 3/4 inch belt, this way when they draw the hunting blade the sheath doesn't come up with the knife. I make a form fitted locking welt sheath for the hunters. Will do as advised for military rigging sizes. Anyone seen the old OSS designs for hideouts? They carried in some very interesting places. I don't think we can adapt the Yarborough for that type of carry.

yes, sir, I've seen photos of the OSS carries. Very interesting indeed. Agree the Y wouldn't go well in some of those places. OSS Det 101 would have probably felt right at home with the Y though.

OSS knife?
 

Are you talking about the Triangular shaped blade (has 3 cutting surfaces w/ 3 blood grooves) no hand guard, about 10- 12 inches long?

Could be attached to just about any appendage. Provide it was big enough to support the weight. :)

That was one of them. They also invented some cool ways to carry the FS stiletto.

bragging?:D

I have some pis of the OSS thumb daggers and lapel knives. Have you guys seen them?

We are interested in seeing ANY pics you have.

Are these from the Colonel?

If you prefer, send them to me and I will resize and post whatever you wish to share.

TR

Nope, don't need to :D

I'll use snow shovel in the morning to locate the file with OSS pics. I think I saw them recently. Bill

The lapel/thumb daggers were a nifty little last ditch tool. Every so often I see repros of them on eBay (by I believe Ek). The sheath was handy in that it was pre-punched to sew it in an out of the way location in your clothing. Nowadays, something similar but made of either ceramic to defeat a metal detector, and with a slimmer sheath material than leather may have a place.

I located some of the old photo's of the originals. I should think hard about making some. (Damn it I already DID! Just remembered the little frame handled prototypes I did for Gerber years ago, nothing happened!, I KNOW the master patterns are in the shop...duuuuuuuh) Good thinking Razor about a new sheath, thin Kydex would work and make it cut proof. You could stow it anywhere and be ok.

Osama Bin Mama! Checkbook! Gringo Money! Now!

Ditto Put me down for 3

Two of us - sounds like a group buy. LOL

Will keep you guys advised on this. Don't let me drop the ball either, Lot's of work to do in the meantime. I'll go right out and get my hands on the master pattern now. Bill

Cool thanks Bill.

How often would you like me to bug you about these? :)

Someone post a pic of what knife you are talking about please. I am not a military knife historian.

I might have to jump in on that "group buy"... THREE whole people. We should be able to demand bargain basement pricing now! ;) LOL