Making My Own Kydex

[RatDrall]

I decided a few weeks ago to start making my own kydex. I bought a toaster oven, dremel tool, coping saw, a bunch of kydex, and a die set for the eyelets. I need a belt sander and a bench vice, but it can be done by hand. The first few tries were a disaster, but I finally got it right on my fourth or fifth attempt

For size reference, here's the Bravo 1 in my hand:



Here's the front of the sheath (I made it to wear on my left hip, so the "clean" side of the eyelets faces that way, but it will work either way):



Here's the other side, with a Teklok:



The sheath is loose around the blade (wrapped it in a few layers of tape when molding the kydex, important because if dirt or anything gets inside the sheath, the hard kydex will press it into the blade and scratch the hell out of it) but very tight around the handle:





Doing this myself has given me a lot of respect for the guys who do it right consistently, you really have to do each step in the right order, and perfect, or you end up with a ruined sheath. There's also quite a bit of "art" involved to get it right.

[smokinbunta]

Hey that looks great! I was recently experimenting with forming Kydex as well, but I jumped straight to holsters (which i sucked at) but I am currently making mag pouch and it coming along pretty good, I just need to finish that and work on making a sheath too.

[Dawgboy]

Nice!

[offcamber]

That looks awesome, I really want to try this now!

Questions: You mentioned a die set, what type and where did you source it. Also where did you get the eyelets?

Heck, I'd love to see a How-to thread if you were interested.

[RatDrall]

That looks awesome, I really want to try this now!

Questions: You mentioned a die set, what type and where did you source it. Also where did you get the eyelets?

Heck, I'd love to see a How-to thread if you were interested.

The die set is like $10, everything can be bought at knifekits.com but do NOT buy their heatgun, it's a $10 Harbor Freight cheapie that they sell for $30.

I'll do a how-to later this week, I need to make another sheath and will snap pics and write it up.