Seems like lots of people on here make their own kydex. I was wondering how many tries it takes to get some halfway decent results when you first start. I think I would have a lot of fun playing with it if it isn't to hard to get the hang of.

Go for it. It takes a little getting used to working with the material. Getting a feel for when the kydex is at the right temp to work with with takes some trial and error, but you can always start over (unless you get it too hot) and keep trying.

A basic foldover sheath is pretty straightforward. I did a tutorial quite a while back and posted it here. I found the same thing I posted on a different forum and the link is below. Definitley give it a try, it is fun and relatively inexpensive. Leather work is even more fun for me and definitley more challenging.

http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/794008/

Good luck,

Ron

i've been wanting to do my own for moras. too cheap a knife to justify paying $30 for a kydex.

Your first try can be good.
Watch a couple of tutorials on youtube.
Then, be careful to cut your piece of kydex larger than you need, and make no holes.

Then use your owen and your press.
( and the "hot air pistol" ... I don't know its english name.... )
If you have a good result, cut the kydex.
Otherwise, put it again in the owen, it will return to true.
Start again.
I still Have my first sheat and I like it too !

Give it a try, then show us <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Compared to working with Leather I find Kydex is a breeze. Not that leather is hard but if you dont like the result with kydex just re-heat and re-mold.
You can see my first two sheaths in another thread here titled "Do you prefer leather or kydex"

The kydex is chaep and my press is two 2 x 6 boards with camping foam from Wal Mart glued to them. Boards were scrap and the foam was $5 for 3 x 6ft sheet.

I use my oven set to about 320-350 to heat it up. Heat gun for touch ups.

Its really fun to do and Im thinking of some other applications around the house. Give it a try.

Go for it, darkaether. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Theres a learning curve, take your time and experiment with it, start small and simple.

I can't really even remember what it was like starting out though, I think I've lost those brain cells by now... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

whats a good place to get the kydex stock? I've read where people talked about getting it from plastic stores? I've never heard of a plastic store. And how do they ship those huge sheets? rolled up in a tube?

I would get it from knifekits.com until you find the need for a larger amount of Kydex.

I'll second that, unless you want to by it by the truck load, they're a good dependable supplier. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I'm glad you guys mentioned it becuase that was the main supplier that I've been looking at.

what do you guys think about that molding press? it does look convenient to me.