It’s clear to everyone that fixed-blade knives should be carried in sheaths, especially for safety reasons. For centuries, these sheaths were made of sturdy leather, which some people still swear by today. But as technology advances, new, modern materials are entering the scene. Among the most popular is Kydex.
Kydex is aplasticcomposite extruded from a special blend of acrylic polyvinyl chloride. It is a thermoplastic material, which means it can be shaped at a temperature of 160 degrees Celsius. Kydex is strong and abrasion-resistant; it molds, grinds, and drills easily. It is more durable than leather, does not change size, and is easy to clean. A minor drawback may be that, precisely because of its high durability, it can even cause abrasion on the metal parts of the knife.
It was first introduced to the market in 1965 by thechemical company Rohm and Haas as a material intended for aircraft interiors. In 1987, a group of former employees purchased the trademark from the company and founded Kydex, LLC. The company then became part of theSEKISUI Chemical Group in 1990. Production is located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Kydex is not only used for knife and pistol holsters, but also in automobiles and airplanes, and it is used to make protective helmets, medical devices, and stands.
It is most commonly sold in black, but the manufacturer also offers other color options. We’ve used these, for example, to produce additional sheaths for our List knife.
So why don’t we have Kydex sheaths for all our knives? That’s because Kydex requiresaknife design that will hold it securely in the sheath. The knife must therefore be designed with this in mind from the start. But above all, we must be certain that the hard and durable Kydex won’t damage the knife during use. That’s why we don’t offer Kydex sheaths for the UTON military knife, where classic leather or fabric sheaths are still preferred.