My first attempt at making britches for a knife.

Thanks to Google and the helpful dogs here, I think my first attempt at making a Kydex sheath turned out nicely. I guess dogs are truly man's best friend. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Since my Paratchute Mandu has the most teeth out of the two pant-less blades I have (the other is a Reg), I started with it. Also, I envision the Regulator Bayonet project to be more complex and this gave me a chance to practice.





The knife snaps in gently, yet it is very secure. I held the end of the sheath and shook it hard in a downward motion and the knife didn't show any signs of losing its grip in the sheath. However, I had an extra button strap in my scrap box and wanted to make absolutely sure it wasn't coming out. I pulled as hard as I can with the strap snapped and couldn't get the knife out.



I opted for a horizontal carry arrangement so I can put it on my belt above my pant's fly. This way I can have it concealed under my groin flap on the flak jacket. It is also uncomfortable and awkward to have a knife strapped vertically on a belt when wearing a flak. The handle either get caught under the jacket or is pushed out making the bottom of the sheath press into your leg.



I saw this cord cutter groove online somewhere and thought it would be a good addition. It works as advertised. It is very easy to cut paracord without unsheathing all those teeth.



For clarity, this is actually my second attempt. The first attempt resulted in a bubble or something in the Kydex. The definition of the blade was lost in the plastic. I think my press might have bunched the Kydex up when pressing or I didn't get the press on the material before it cooled too much. Since Kydex is fairly forgiving, I just put the messed up pieces back in the oven and tried again. Second time is a charm.

Looks great man!!! Well done you should be proud! I really like the cutter idea.

JJ, I like the way you have the little guy holding the blade and sheath. I think you did a very good job on it, it looks professionally done. Congrats. Now he Regonet sheath, Yeah that might be a bit more difficult to get it "slip free" yet easy enough to remove. Like you said, this may be one time the forgiving nature of Kydex will be beneficial.

Thanks.

Skunk, his name is Sgt. Shutter and he is an action figure not a doll! Marines don't have dolls. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

lol!

Great job!

Yeah I know, Members of the "Men's Department" are action figure sort of fellers, not Tutu toaters! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

He's not an "action figure" until you've put his leg in the cord cutter and attempted to maim him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Awesome work, JJ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Very nice work on the pants!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Wow looks great much cleaner than my first kydex attempts.
Do let us know how the cord-cutting slot works. It is seams like such a great idea, it was first used on SOG (the brand) knives when a SEAL guy wanted the option of cutting cord while in a rubber raft but not wanting to un-sheath the blade.

That looks like a really solid kydex sheath nice work.

Great job!

Thats a great first sheath. I'm sure it won't be your last one. Don't show it to your buddies, you'll run out of free time. And just how many "action figures" do you have?

Nice job JJ!!!
Pretty soon you'll be a regular old Rainwalker!!!

Awesome, looks good. Any links for another amatuer Kydex Bender? I'm going to be ordering some shortly, when the holiday bonus comes in.

Really nice job I like your innovative design. So how do you like the knife?

Nice sheath

Wow....Looks great! Love the Notch cutter! Makes perfect sense!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Great work and great idea for the cord cutter! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Here is the best link I have found on the Web so far.

http://www.kydex.com/briefs/144.pdf

You tube has a lot of tutorial. Just search for "Kydex sheath tutorial."

I love the knife and thanks again to RAISIN-CAIN for parting with it. He saw my comment on someone's post. He sold it to me for the original price with shipping included. Gotta love the Yard.

Sadly, I can't carry it in Germany, but it is pretty much everything I have been looking for in a smaller downrange blade. It is easy to sharpen, and I haven't had to resharpen since the first time. I have done some whittling with it and cutting boxes open. Feels great in my hand too. It fits my small mitts perfectly.

That's the only one. However, I almost picked up a WWII era Nazi SS soldier action figure at the flea market last weekend so he'd have some one to fight. I ended up settling on a Luftschutz Helmet with wings and a swastika on it.

They are the unit that handle air security like sirens and anti-air munitions. They actually shot my grandfather down in WWII. He was a B17 bombardier. I figured he would like to have one of his enemy's helmets. I got a WWII German Wound badge for myself. It is the equivalent of a Purple Heart.

Very nice work! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Next you'll be making knives from scratch JJ.
Great looking sheath,I had never seen the built in cord cutter before,just on folders,very cool.

Great work on the sheath !

JJ, can't you carry the knife when you're in uniform?

I can, but I haven't worn a uniform in three years. Even when I go downrange, I dress like a civilian and introduce myself by first name.

Great job on the sheath, JJ. The more I see that Paratchute ManDu the more I want one. I am definitely of the opinion that 2 sharp edges are better than 1. I am hoping that they might show up at a future knife show.

Alpenwoe, I love the thing. My only complaint is that the Rat bit me today.

first the bayonet now this. There is always a professionalism in all your work, a real attention to detail in your projects that amaze me. Maybe you were a watchmaker in another life?

Well done!

Nice pants. Looks like you're a natural. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, he is certainly a Marine. I've always admired the level of professionalism in the Marine's I've met, something about the way they carry themselves. I shoulda joined the corps instead of waiting and going Army

Semper Fi!

^ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Great knife and sheath. I don't think I'd carry it in front with that circumcision notch in the sheath. Just kidding. Great set up for a Marine wearing all that stuff they wear nowadays.

Great sheath.

I have a few regrets in life. One of which is I had money set aside to buy an entire set up for making kydex, from arbor press, drill press, Kydex press, heat gun, etc etc etc.

Instead, I blew $600 on a matching sword and axe combo (although I do have a bitchin Halloween costume I wear a lot).

Now, I just make leather sheaths (crapily at that).

I still think you need to send that Scrap-bayonet mod to me!

Thanks, Horn Dog.

Fat chance, Bigfattyt.