Rob62
07-26-2010, 08:21
I am posting this in hopes of finding out whether there is a want or need for this service.
Recently I started a hobby of making Kydex knife sheaths. After a few dozen good ones under my belt I am now thinking of making some for pay. I don’t use any homemade sheath “tools”. All the tools I use are actual commercial grade, like the Sheath press, and arbor press with dies for setting the eyelets.
Primarily I work in .08” thick Kydex but also use .06” material as well. Pretty much anything is possible with Kydex. As long as the form (knife) can be subjected to heat, a sheath of Kydex can be formed around it. I’ve attached pictures of some of the work I have already done. My primary focus right now is conventional belt and neck sheaths. All my work would be 100% guaranteed – if the customer isn’t satisfied I’d refund all money except shipping costs, no questions asked.
I think a working price list would be along the lines of a custom Neck Sheath costing $10, and a belt sheath for a simple 4-8” fixed blade right at around $25. Smaller, 1-4" fixed blade sheaths could be done for about $20. Shipping costs would vary based on the size & weight of the knife being returned with folders about $5 and fixed blade knifes at $7. If someone wanted a specific color besides the standard Black for their sheath that would incur an additional charge of about $2-3 per sheath – camouflage patterns would add about $3-5. Included in these sheath prices is a standard fixed belt loop – if for a belt knife. Using Fastex / TekLok adjustable belt buckles is relatively expensive and would add about $10-$12 to the cost of any sheath. MOLLE compatible buckles would likewise add about $8 or so to the sheath cost. I think that even working the full time job that I do, turnaround time should be about a week, with 10 days being the far outside time.
Below are pics of some of the work I have already done. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Regards,
Rob
Spyderco 93mm Rescue, neck knife sheath in .06” thick Concealex (Basically the same as standard Kydex)
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/SpydercoRescue93mmandnecksheath.jpg
A few different neck sheaths. All but one are for Spyderco folders.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/5NeckSheaths.jpg
My very first sheaths. The belt sheath has a small TekLok buckle.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/actualcompleted1stand3rdsheaths_1.jpg
This is the standard style belt buckle/loop that would be included on a basic belt sheath. These I make to order for whatever belt width is normally worn. They can be set to allow vertical or horizontal knife carry options.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/Earlyfixedbeltbuckle_loop_1.jpg
A Cold Steel Recon Tanto in a belt sheath with a large TekLok belt buckle. While the buckle looks big in relation to the sheath, the person I made this sheath for wanted to be able to easily adjust the angles at which he wears this knife. Using a TekLok buckle is a good way to accomplish this.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/CSReconTantoSheath_1.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/CSReconTantoSheath.jpg
Recently I started a hobby of making Kydex knife sheaths. After a few dozen good ones under my belt I am now thinking of making some for pay. I don’t use any homemade sheath “tools”. All the tools I use are actual commercial grade, like the Sheath press, and arbor press with dies for setting the eyelets.
Primarily I work in .08” thick Kydex but also use .06” material as well. Pretty much anything is possible with Kydex. As long as the form (knife) can be subjected to heat, a sheath of Kydex can be formed around it. I’ve attached pictures of some of the work I have already done. My primary focus right now is conventional belt and neck sheaths. All my work would be 100% guaranteed – if the customer isn’t satisfied I’d refund all money except shipping costs, no questions asked.
I think a working price list would be along the lines of a custom Neck Sheath costing $10, and a belt sheath for a simple 4-8” fixed blade right at around $25. Smaller, 1-4" fixed blade sheaths could be done for about $20. Shipping costs would vary based on the size & weight of the knife being returned with folders about $5 and fixed blade knifes at $7. If someone wanted a specific color besides the standard Black for their sheath that would incur an additional charge of about $2-3 per sheath – camouflage patterns would add about $3-5. Included in these sheath prices is a standard fixed belt loop – if for a belt knife. Using Fastex / TekLok adjustable belt buckles is relatively expensive and would add about $10-$12 to the cost of any sheath. MOLLE compatible buckles would likewise add about $8 or so to the sheath cost. I think that even working the full time job that I do, turnaround time should be about a week, with 10 days being the far outside time.
Below are pics of some of the work I have already done. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Regards,
Rob
Spyderco 93mm Rescue, neck knife sheath in .06” thick Concealex (Basically the same as standard Kydex)
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/SpydercoRescue93mmandnecksheath.jpg
A few different neck sheaths. All but one are for Spyderco folders.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/5NeckSheaths.jpg
My very first sheaths. The belt sheath has a small TekLok buckle.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/actualcompleted1stand3rdsheaths_1.jpg
This is the standard style belt buckle/loop that would be included on a basic belt sheath. These I make to order for whatever belt width is normally worn. They can be set to allow vertical or horizontal knife carry options.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/Earlyfixedbeltbuckle_loop_1.jpg
A Cold Steel Recon Tanto in a belt sheath with a large TekLok belt buckle. While the buckle looks big in relation to the sheath, the person I made this sheath for wanted to be able to easily adjust the angles at which he wears this knife. Using a TekLok buckle is a good way to accomplish this.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/CSReconTantoSheath_1.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n103/rhummer/Knifes%20and%20Blades/My%20Kydex%20Knife%20Sheaths/CSReconTantoSheath.jpg