Kydex DIY

Jack the Zipper · **on:** November 07, 2025, 10:03:32 PM

Couldn't find a thread to necro. I finally got the hang of working kydex, sort of. Apparently it's dead easy with a hot air gun. You can work on a smaller area, instead of using an oven and trying to form the whole thing before it cools. On the other hand, it's easy to ruin the texture with too much heat, as can be seen around the mouth of the sheath. A bit unfinished still, but getting there. Have to fashion a thumb ramp, hope I left enough material. Without a drill press, even getting the holes clean is hard. And I ruined a lot of grommets. Definitely using thinner material in my next project.

The ghetto paracord attachment will go, I'm putting IWB loops instead, but they didn't arrive yet.

Just a fun thing to do, not going to actually carry. This Spyderco just had a really lousy factory sheath.

powernoodle · **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2025, 10:21:27 PM

I have carefully reshaped kydex with a heat gun for better fit on gun holsters, and its pretty easy.

It does sound like a fun hobby for someone who has the time and inclination.

Vidar · **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2025, 11:01:13 PM

Nice

I might have to get some Kydex and waste an afternoon or three playing around with it at some point. What thickness did you use, and what would you rather use now?

Jack the Zipper · **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2025, 11:31:07 PM

Quote from: Vidar on November 07, 2025, 11:01:13 PM

Nice

I might have to get some Kydex and waste an afternoon or three playing around with it at some point. What thickness did you use, and what would you rather use now?

I used 2mm but 1,5mm would have been enough. I just had this piece left over from an axe head cover. For a small knife it's sort of overkill. Same with eyelets, these are what I had. I wanted to go more low profile but it is what it is. I don't want to spend money on tools I won't be using much, so everything is pretty ghetto. I do some things with a Dremel, some with cordless drill, grinding with a WorkSharp and sanding freehand.

MadPlumbarian · **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2025, 12:17:35 AM

Nice job

JR

Vidar · **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2025, 01:55:48 AM

Quote from: Jack the Zipper on November 07, 2025, 11:31:07 PM

I used 2mm but 1,5mm would have been enough. I just had this piece left over from an axe head cover. For a small knife it's sort of overkill. Same with eyelets, these are what I had. I wanted to go more low profile but it is what it is. I don't want to spend money on tools I won't be using much, so everything is pretty ghetto. I do some things with a Dremel, some with cordless drill, grinding with a WorkSharp and sanding freehand.

I think it works both functionally and looks wise. Few care how you got there, and for a one off that makes perfect sense. And it looks like it could have been made with a heat press so none the wiser.

My experience is that others judge simply by the end result. I on the other hand beat myself up / learn from what could have been done better, more efficient, reduce limitations or increase design options. But improved design or process is for any next versions - what is done is the best I could do at the time with the resources and time I had available or wanted to spend. Nothing is ever perfect, and there is always new toys and processes to consider. But just doing is by far the most important part.

Farmer X · **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2025, 02:34:46 AM

A smurfty factory sheath is always a raw deal. You came up with a good work-around, though!

Jack the Zipper · **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2025, 05:44:13 PM

I managed to curl up the lip to make a minimal thumb ramp. Spot heating works, but repeated heating makes the texture melt and become shiny. But it's not a beauty contest... also, some more work on the opening. I just may have to get all the proper gear like the foam, more kydex, and do it properly.

JonesE · **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2025, 06:08:35 PM

Sheath looks really good to me. I think you did a great job. On a piece of scrap Kydex, that you have overheated and turned glossy, you could try buffing it with steel wool to try and remove the shine.

JonesE

lister · **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2025, 09:39:15 AM

Where did you get the kydex from? Is there some eu source?

If I remember correctly we met in the eating utensils thread. This might work great for that. Especially as I own temperature controlled hot air station, which should make things much easier...

Jack the Zipper · **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2025, 09:48:45 AM

Brisa.fi has all kinds of knife and knife adjacent supplies. Kydex, eyelets, screws, foam, handle materials, you name it.

lister · **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2025, 05:22:02 PM

Nice resource. Now all I have to do is ask myself: "Do you want yet another unfinished project lying around??? Well, DO YOU; PUNK!"

Vidar · **Reply #12 on:** November 10, 2025, 08:06:13 PM

We need some updated proverbs? I'm thinking inspirational posters for project manager offices...

"The first step is the hardest. The last step is the most important".
"A journey of 1000 miles starts with a first step. So do all failures to reach the end. ".
"You don't need to see the whole staircase to take the first step. Some will bring you down though".
"Unfinished projects are.."

lister · **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2025, 08:20:35 PM

Nah, no proverbs, I just need to get my smurfing lazy smurf moving...

Vidar · **Reply #14 on:** November 11, 2025, 12:55:29 AM

Not sure they were intended to be all that helpful..

For me the it is mostly about keeping the lazy smurfing smurf moving until done, and ignoring the sirens call of other seemingly shinier projects before that.