A Note To All Knife Sheath Makers From An Ardent User

ENOUGH WITH MULTIPLE SNAPS

Multiple Velcro and any other multiple securing methods

WHEW.. Now I'm calmed down..

I was just today going through all of my knives, sorting, cleaning and getting ready to do some survival work and start to "trick" my knife sheaths out like we discussed on the ATS Live All Things Survival Radio Show when I again came across one of the things that I find beyond annoying.

Sheaths that require BOTH HANDS to get the knife out..

You would think that with all the technology today, knife makers could make a decent sheath that we could all operate with one hand. You would also think that when you spend a good amount on the knife, simple things like that would be taken into account.. But.. NOOOOO

In fact, my more expensive knives actually have the most retaining straps!!!!! Both of my "TOPS KNIVES" have dual, Velcro straps.. SHEESH



My Buck Hoodlum and my Aitor Jungle King as well....

In fact one of the best sheaths I have is my Condor Rodan.. See Below



The knife drops in nicely, stays in with a little pressure and is easily pulled out with.. You guessed it.. ONE HAND..

Problem with the Rodan Sheath is that it is leather and I have to permanently alter it to get the sheath to be more usable in the field, like one of my ballistic sheaths..

So if there are any knife sheath designers out there, PLEASE!!! start making sheaths that the normal person can use with one hand.. PLEASE

I know right.

Why not a nice friction fit sheath.

Maybe one with a thin plastic insert that retains some friction on the blade.

I hate velcro and snaps on my sheaths.

For the cost of these knives, i dont know why its not common practice.

What ever happened to R&D?

reply to post by semperfortis


When I received my Chris reeve Green Beret it came with a spec ops combat master sheath.........LOVE IT. You can pop the retaining latch with one hand and it has a pocket for a multi-tool. It fits a leatherman mut perfect.

I agree, too many good knifes come with sub-par sheaths or end up being overly complicated. I have a local guy with a small kydex holster company that did some sheaths for couple knifes I had. Very easy to work one handed: no snaps or anything. Just friction and a swift tug to remove. Even had a pack with a Glock 81 Field Knife in a custom kydex sheath attached handle down on the shoulder strap, no issues.

Not sure of bigger companies that offer this kind of service, but Dark Ops offers an almost exact style to what I had made (only for a specific knife though but just to give you an idea of style and function.)
Picture of Dark Ops kydex sheath
Product page

maybe check out a local gun show: I have heard of custom kydex holster guys setting up a table, maybe could bring them a knife and see if they can make a custom set up for it.

Ahh the kydex sheath is the one i wanted to bring up.

It has a nice little friction fit insert that retains the blades well.

Buying "aftermarket" sheaths can be a problem

Example

The much vaunted "John Brown Tracker" is by all accounts an excellent knife

$117.00 usd on Amazon

The most recommended sheath for that knife in the survival community on YouTube...

$200.00 usd

Now I don't know about you, but I refuse to pay more for my sheath than the knife I put in it

Just refuse

reply to post by ljcsponger87


Does your friend have a website?

I would love to check him out

reply to post by semperfortis


The sheath you showed with the dual velcro straps could be modified to be used one handed. You would only need to sew a loop between the two velcro straps, so that you could flip it open with a finger, and bobs your uncle, as they say in my neck of the woods.

I am currently in the process of constructing a sheath for a Staniforth Severquick machete. I am using some tough packaging from an old set of ratchet straps as the basis for the item, and will add straps and so on to it so that I can, if necessary strap it to my back. Now THAT requires some alterations, let me tell you lol!

reply to post by TrueBrit


1. Can you describe or explain the loop you are talking about on my sheath? (I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer)
Picture maybe if you could draw it or something

2. Would I cut the velcro straps off after that?

Love the idea, just need some more guidance

reply to post by semperfortis


Why not make a nice Kydex sheath? Or you could always stop at your local gun show and there will be at least 3 guys there plying their Kydex trade.

I have an ESEE and I love not only their knives, but their sheaths. Worn mine every day for three years, in the sand and at home.

ESEE Sheaths

reply to post by Lipton


I have no problem with Kydex as long as they are made so that I can add pouches and attach other gear.. Same with leather..

I have several kydex sheaths..

Becker BK2 is just one I have

I just personally prefer ballistic nylon and leather

reply to post by semperfortis


Are these type any good to you? They're great for gardening, since you just slide them onto your belt, and you only need one hand to pull out the knife for cuttings (or whatever).

mysterious gardens

reply to post by beansidhe


WOW.... (See that is why I LOVE this place and this forum in particular)

I never thought to look in gardening or really anywhere other that survival and knife dealers/reviews..

THANK YOU I will check them out

reply to post by semperfortis


You are most welcome! I bought one like it years ago, because I used to keep a cuttings knife in my back pocket, but it was quite literally a pain in the arse on several occasions!

Hope you find a good one

B x

reply to post by semperfortis


Right...

The trouble you seemed to be having, was that the maker of your sheath has installed two straps, meaning that you have to rip two velcro tabs in order to remove the knife from its sheath, which is tricky if you are trying to get something done in a jiffy (I am not going to ask, mostly because I know what a damned knife is for ).

What you need, is for something to bridge the gap between the two straps, so that you only have to pull once, to open both loops enough that you can draw your blade unhindered.

You could do that by opening the stitching at the ends of your velcro straps to create small loops, through which you could place a bolt or wooden dowel, and then stitch them back into place around it.

This is what you have now right (forgive the upside down images... bloody iPad, go figure)?



Two straps, on which I have marked out the end bits of the straps with dotted lines. So you could add a solid bolt, dowel, or cylinder of plastic through those strap ends (which you have opened out, probably with a scalpel, and then sewn back around the after market part).



Now you could pull that bolt, and both straps would open up. You could also decide to add an entire new sewn on panel, over the two straps, to make them into one, bound together piece, so that no matter what, you pull one strap, and the whole thing comes undone...



There are several ways you could make your sheath do what you want it to from what I can see. I only hope that my crappy drawings helped explain what I was on about, and that it is useful to you.

reply to post by TrueBrit


Okay

Now that is genius

I now have an idea in my head that I could make loops and even use a Ferro Rod to tie them together and pull them both at the same time!!!!! Dual Use is always best



You make my day!!!!

reply to post by semperfortis


In my view, when it comes to equipment, there are two main things that I always keep in mind. One of them, is the old adage taught from both my grandfathers, from when they used theirs to avoid being turned into rapidly expanding balls of gas and blood vapour, and that is look after your kit, and it looks after you. The other thing is, if you do not like the way something operates, fix it so it no longer betrays you when you need it most!

You have to be comfortable with your gear. If your kit rubs you raw because its too rough, or does not grip because it is to smooth, or displaces its weight incorrectly, there is usually something you can do about it, and all it takes is the ability to look at something, identify the problem, and figure a way around it

I've figured out how to make both velcro straps open by affixing a Ferro Rod to them both



That way all I need to do is pull the rod

TrueBrit You get all the credit

I may patent this and call it the

"

True Brit Sheath Secure System

"

reply to post by semperfortis


Nice job!!

Glad it worked out ! I would love to see what the finished article looks like, when in place on the sheath... I guess I am sort of a nerd for all manner of hands on projects!

reply to post by TrueBrit


Once all the sewing is done, I promise to post a picture

I am also doing a YouTube video on this as well

I will give you complete credit my brother

GENIUS