Kydex or leather sheaths or both for your blades

[Overlay]

What do you favour. Traditional leather or Kydex type of sheath
Being a dyed in the wood leather sheath person for many a year I know find myself moving from belt carried to bag carried knives in kydex material leaving the leather sheaths at home in the drawer
Gone for me are a belt laden with all manor of junk load for all to see and be judged by sight to get wet and soiled

My preference now is kydex in the field for all knives, unzipper, chest saw etc and all in one small stalking necessity only bag

My most use blades mainly now have beltless sheaths in kydex that have a place in my stalking bag the choice varies to species being sought, 3 knives at max one being a unzipper /size for the internal release and possibly a small rib saw

I know where I’m probably going with this myself and will eventually end up with both sheath types for each blade. Leather with belt loop kydex with detachable belt loop

What are your thoughts ??? Or preferences

 

[Longstrider]

I've voted Kydex no belt loop because we are talking about stalking knives here. I make my own Kydex sheaths and never rivet them. I use Chicago screws for both sides so the sheath is essentially 2 pieces held together with screws. This makes the job of cleaning so much easier. I can take the sheath apart, wash and dry it then re-assemble. The number of knives I see that come to me for sharpening etc, in either type of sheath, that are still covered in deer hair and sometimes gore is incredible to me. No way would I want them anywhere near meat I was going to eat. I keep my knives as clean as I can before and after use, but once home I like to give everthing a good wash down and know it's all 'good to go' for the next outing.

What I think of as 'field knives' (bushcraft-y type activities) still travel in leather sheaths because I like them, but even those often just get carried in a bag rather than on my belt.

 

[Overlay]

Yep
Kydex for the field and kept in a bag

 

[Shootgun]

Hibrid or kydex with belt loop for me.
I like to keep my knife handy.

 

[Bowland blades]

I've voted Kydex no belt loop because we are talking about stalking knives here. I make my own Kydex sheaths and never rivet them. I use Chicago screws for both sides so the sheath is essentially 2 pieces held together with screws. This makes the job of cleaning so much easier. I can take the sheath apart, wash and dry it then re-assemble. The number of knives I see that come to me for sharpening etc, in either type of sheath, that are still covered in deer hair and sometimes gore is incredible to me. No way would I want them anywhere near meat I was going to eat. I keep my knives as clean as I can before and after use, but once home I like to give everthing a good wash down and know it's all 'good to go' for the next outing.

What I think of as 'field knives' (bushcraft-y type activities) still travel in leather sheaths because I like them, but even those often just get carried in a bag rather than on my belt.

Yup we all get some proper mingin stinkers coming back for sharpening . To be fait i would not be keen to eat venison i myself or someone i knew enough to trust .
I use leather and also Kydex , if the plan is a serious cull of numbers i prefer kydex . No need to chicargo screws if its my own , for some clients is essential. As i say" clean it before you re-sheath it !"
The Pro stalkers are in the main the worst for old meat rotting in the heath , rushing too much not because they dont know better

 

[Chris1]

Recently purchased EKA G4 and took the belt clip off the kydex sheath..sits in my bumbag along with Bushwear Yool sac, gloves and S hooks etc. I always used to set out with my knife hanging off my belt but then I'd switch to putting them in my bag so now it just sits in there permanently..forgotten about until its needed.

 

[Bowland blades]

Recently purchased EKA G4 and took the belt clip off the kydex sheath..sits in my bumbag along with Bushwear Yool sac, gloves and S hooks etc. I always used to set out with my knife hanging off my belt but then I'd switch to putting them in my bag so now it just sits in there permanently..forgotten about until its needed.

Also you dont forget and walk into areas where you could very well be bothered by law enforcement , like a petrol station or as i have seen a few times a Pub . Dont take this fact lightly

 

[wytonpjs]

I was looking at the old thread about hygiene and leather knife sheaths this morning and wondering what BP now promotes. Several years ago, the BASC Arran scheme insisted on non-leather sheaths at FLS' direction, ostentatiously on hygiene grounds.

I like traditional leather sheaths but struggled to find suitable liners so have gone entirely kydex. I still carry a Morakniv on my belt in a Casstrom dangler arrangement as a back-up but my main EKA G4 now sits on my bino harness; all of my stalking/gralloching "tools" are either in the bino harness or my pockets.

 

[Bowland blades]

I was looking at the old thread about hygiene and leather knife sheaths this morning and wondering what BP now promotes. Several years ago, the BASC Arran scheme insisted on non-leather sheaths at FLS' direction, ostentatiously on hygiene grounds.

I like traditional leather sheaths but struggled to find suitable liners so have gone entirely kydex. I still carry a Morakniv on my belt in a Casstrom dangler arrangement as a back-up but my main EKA G4 now sits on my bino harness; all of my stalking/gralloching "tools" are either in the bino harness or my pockets.

There is no sheath issues with either kind - if you clean the knife up after a gralloch BEFORE you stuff it back in the sheath ! If the kydex cannot be opened up into two halves both have the same hygiene issues

 

[Chris1]

Yes..or as i stupidly did a few weeks ago, i got back to my tent after a long day out on clear fell, bent down to climb in the tent and the knife handle caught on the tent and ripped the fly sheet..oh how I laughed (not)..hence,it now lives in my bag!!

 

[wytonpjs]

There is no sheath issues with either kind - if you clean the knife up after a gralloch BEFORE you stuff it back in the sheath ! If the kydex cannot be opened up into two halves both have the same hygiene issues

But with the kydex, I can easily run it under the tap and pipe-clean it if needed - not that I do, as I too anti-bac wipe the blades before refitting. You couldn't wash my leather sheaths under the tap regularly and get away with it!

 

[FISH BOY]

All Kydex and wiped clean before resheathing.

Majority right leg boot carry with clips as I do love my wellies and don’t like carrying a knife on my belt while in transit (regardless of good reason)

Cheap Gerber sits under and Velcro attached to my Kuiu bino harness mainly as a backup or when I’m on head and legs duty.

Ps - Yes I have too many, but to me they are slightly addictive due to their skilled craftsmanship - all working things of functional beauty - don’t seem to lose them either.

 

[Tim.243]

@Overlay

Safety First Phil
All this drama

One for the head
One for the legs
One for the greens

 

[Overlay]

Nice kit for sure Tim, haven’t seen an Opinel for years .
Safe is safe

You do make me chuckle mate

 

[JH83]

Nothing wrong with either…have one of each

Seriously though provided you diligently clean the blade I don’t think there’s much wrong with leather, but if I know I’m going to process a lot I’ll go for fantastic plastic.

 

[KimE]

leather and reindeer antler have a place close to my heart.

Samiska Knivar - Sámi Duodji Webbshop

 

[VSS]

Majority right leg boot carry with clips as I do love my wellies and don’t like carrying a knife on my belt while in transit (regardless of good reason)

In transit, why does it make any difference whether it's on your belt or in your wellie?

 

[FISH BOY]

In transit, why does it make any difference whether it's on your belt or in your wellie?

While travelling it’s in my bag - only onsite does my knife go on me or down my boot.

Same with loading my mag.

 

[Bowland blades]

But with the kydex, I can easily run it under the tap and pipe-clean it if needed - not that I do, as I too anti-bac wipe the blades before refitting. You couldn't wash my leather sheaths under the tap regularly and get away with it!

You can yes , though having made used and had many in for servicing its far from a great clean . Its far better to use the Chicago screws if you do not clean the knife before re-sheathing . My leather sheaths are now factory waxed by my leather supplier heavily on the inside and out, you could say similar .
Having had a great number on knives in for service and sharpen I have advised sheath disposal many times . Only a couple of weeks ago i advised a pro- guide ( full time one ) to dispose of a leather sheath even though it was only a couple of months old - It stank and was full of old meat .
I have managed with them all , so its perfectly possible to get through for years with both kinds - IF the stalker is diligent!
The Guy mentioned get his leather back as it was in a zip lock and i made him a full take down Kydex BTW .