How to make a kydex sheath for your knife (tutorial)

[@lucian19]

Hi Kaila, Great video. One trick for making sure the knife comes out smoothly out of the custom sheath. Put blue painters tape on the parts the knife being molded. The tape gives the necessary space for the knife to slide out smoothly. Add tape for the necessary friction that you need. Hope that helps you out in any way. Keep up with great tutorials.

[@ascendotuum9586]

The HOTTEST knife maker in the world. Period!!!

[@hrmIwonder]

Nice video! I've watched a few kydex press videos and this is the first one that only had foam on one side to make the relief different on each side of the sheath/holster.. I wouldn't have thought of that and it open my mind up to a bunch of new possibilities! Thank you!

[@milspic74]

Wow! Those eyes. Very good tips. I think im ready to make a sheath.

[@cmclean9334]

Thanks for such an excellent video. You are quite the teacher

[@stt.kydexpk]

Kaila Cumings Your Demostration & Tutorial Is Very Understanding Every Step You Guide Properly

[@randygwheeler]

I love the way it comes out when you use the flat back. I’m learning every day. I’ve only made 2 kydex sheaths.

[@fourgedmushrooms5958]

Me too

[@djebat88]

Enjoyed the video and I learned something from it. Thanks Kaila.

[@jameshewitt7376]

One of the best videos I've watched on on making custom Kydex stuff, every other video I've watched they always say to have a toaster oven to heat up the kydex and I see you did it just with the heat gun alone which is AWESOME and that makes it seem EVEN MORE simple! So very big thanks for doing this video exactly the way you did it!!!

[@shantamay]

Wonderful practical video. Usually in most of the DIY videos people never really show you the practical tips like she does honestly for e.g. the thumb ramp to get the knife easily out of the sheath she made. It is really wonderful to see such honesty. Alas in India the local hardware store does not keep such within budget useful tools. If you buy through amazon or directly from websites you end up paying 3-4 times the price in USD (notice we have a big foreign currency exchange rate difference between USD and INR) and then custom duties and huge shipment costs. I ot some Kydex from foreign, paid up huge, tried to make a sheath for a condor knife using glue guns, manual metal clamps, etc and ended up in a super stiff extremely tight sheath that I could not use with ease. Ofcourse you need some home based machines for grinding, buffing, etc or live with sharp uncomfortable edges which I tried to do away with files and sandpapers manually. Took me hours. Kaila I really appreciate your honesty and really fast quick practical presentations, Keep up.

[@JohnnyDragon25]

Great video. Really like how you broke it all down in a simple way in order to understand. Definitely helpful. Thanks!

[@richardalexander5758]

Very helpful, thanks! Now I need to experiment with how to use the rubber washers and screws that attach belt clips.

[@xqiuvmah]

I tip I recommend is to tape the blade with masking tape so that the blade can slide in better. This also helps prevent the knife from becoming dull simply by taking it in and out of its sheath

[@markbenoit4187]

Excellent tutorial! Admire how you’ve developed your skills. Would definitely watch more

[@StephenMattison66]

Cool! Great job! I was going to build a foam compression rig like yours, but remembered that I already have a side bench vise on my work bench, which works great! SO much easier & faster than those Irwin clamps, which is exactly what I used at first. I took 2, 1x6 boards, each 8 inches long, Gorilla spray glued a double layer of 3/8" thick blue yoga mat from Walmart on each board. When knife/Kydex is ready, just stack like a sandwich and clamp, could also do one side flat like you. Side bench vise can give crazy pressure, but it's easy to get a feel for the perfect pressure, super even pressure too. The blue yoga mat has held up pretty well. 20-30 knives on first set of blue foam and still going. And for $14, I still have about 40 6x8 pieces left on the roll. If I do 4-5 moldings/compressions in a row, it seems to take overnight for the blue foam to rebound, so I slap another layer of blue in there until I replace original set with new. Also, I just started building a vacuum & surge-tank rig using a (free) compressor out of an old window AC.

[@ozzieroger8121]

Well done, nice and informative didn't think a heat gun would do, I use a small oven and still have problems. Thank you.

[@BlackBearCustomKydex]

Great video, Kaila! One shortcut/kydex hack to save time AND give a nice effect: put your eyelets in before you saw and sand. You'll get a "welded" seamless edge which looks beautiful, and you won't have to clean the particles out after! Keep up the great work!

[@007Jaredboy]

Do you find this eliminates scratches on the blade as well? I was going to put in a comment with something I found works; instead of doing the 'pancake' style as mentioned doing two separate pieces allows you to thoroughly wash each side with soap and water after grinding/sanding thus eliminating any dust, thus eliminating scratches :D If you make it pancake style, it's just too stiff to really get in there to clean it out - even using compressed air. But if riveting it first works, then the 'welded' edges definitely would be better.

[@BlackBearCustomKydex]

@@007Jaredboy pancake is the two piece sheath, taco is the one you don't like. Honestly, I just use the same process for both styles. After pressing, drill and set eyelets. Then remove the knife (removing the knife first might separate the edges and make a welded edge more difficult to achieve) and proceed with saw, sand, buff... And I've actually started wadding up some pieces of paper towel and stuffing it into the sheath so that no debris gets inside while sanding. Works well! I also use my air compressor before sheathing the blade each time, just to be sure -- my workspace is so dirty most of the time so I take precautions.

[@007Jaredboy]

​@@BlackBearCustomKydex Actually I know that's 'taco' style; I only called it 'pancake' referencing how she described it at 3:18. That's a good idea about the paper towel, though I'll have to try that.

[@Caughtitoutdoors]

Thanks. I need this video! About to build my press next week and I am probably going to be avoiding some mistakes thanks to your info.

[@johnbrown2163]

Perfect tutorial and equipment needed. Thumbed up!!

[@lukbar6457]

Thanks!! You make it seem so easy for a beginner!

[@richardingle7540]

Thanks kaila , great video , i have some nice knifes always wanted kydex sheaths and now i know how , time to get making ....funny thing i ve followed you from your very first knife all those years ago ...i remember your first kydex use , look at you now and where your at , what an amazing journey 🙂👍

[@zulu5oscar765]

Looking to make my first kydex knife sheath, this video is packed with great info, thanks!

[@candicemcallister9447]

Thanks, awesome video. About to try kydex for the first time. I mostly do leather but this will be interesting. Loved the style of video and how easy but quick you were about explaining everything.

[@1972malberto]

This girls super cool, beautiful eyes nice job.

[@gibsonf06]

SIMP -SIMP-

[@user-td1zo3tv9p]

Decaf, Hun. Decaf. LMAO Thanks for mentioning the suppliers and parts sources. Will save me a LOT of time.

[@HARMARSCH2]

Kaila, Thnk you for the tutorial on making a Kydex Holster. You Rock!!!!

[@peterbalames9815]

Excellent how to video Kaila your a great instructor. I wish I could do all that but I am a retired VET and I am handicapped so alas as much as I would like to make my own it would be difficult. Once again great video. :-)

[@manta1969manta]

Kaila, please, make video about - how you are making handles for knifes. Your videos allways give a good and positive fillings after watch!!) Thanks!

[@richard66754]

manta1969manta Exactly. There’s a lot of work that goes into handles!

[@danielcarbajal7222]

Wow you made this look so easy. Thank you so much for the tutorial. I’d like to give this a try and your video helps a lot. Great work 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@judsonmiers1315]

Great tutorial! Thank you, Kaila!

[@JJDITALIA]

Thanks for the new content Kaila! Love you and great tutorial!

[@MarksWorld-GetOutdoors]

I really liked this video... May just try this with a couple knives I have... thank for making this video.

[@gibsonf06]

Very helpful, I’ll make one for my diy karambit!

[@joeblades]

Great video! I’m all set up for kydex sheaths! Thank you hope ur feeling better

[@bbridges100]

Awesome tutorial! That’s pretty much exactly how I do it...only difference is I use Chicago screws in place of eyelets. 👍👍

[@Nighuntah27]

Seriously fucking amazing. Ive been trying to get a sheath for one of my Rondel daggers for a while, and there havent been many viable options that wouldnt cost me a fortune. So glad I could see this video

[@knifeguy831]

Wow think I'll give it a shot thank you for your time

[@rickotts3299]

Very good video you took the time to explain and show everything very good.

[@marcorodriguez6264]

Your eyes .... The best part of the video 😘🤚🏻

[@pastortristan5866]

This was really helpful Kaila.

[@colecon1012]

Great video, beautiful knife!!!

[@danielwatson6381]

Appreciate it I had a situation with a kydex sheath this helped

[@jameskrivitsky9715]

Kaila, your intro photo caught my eye....and your video perked my interest. You probably have a slew of dudes drooling . You are more than I expected. I just subscribed and will view the other projects you have accomplished . Tools make the shop....ability makes the PERSONA, and yes, a tripod or camera mount will add to your video success. Thanks J K

[@carlfisher9319]

Great video Kayla lots of good information good job keep up the good work

[@anthonythompson4110]

Never seen them made before. Awesome

[@farmtrout66]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@mkultra6664]

Kaila, Try putting a toothpick in with the knife's tip when moulding the kydex to the blade. This will add a very handy water drip hole if the knife ever gets wet. It's a good thing to add to your sheaths and I'm sure your customers will thank you for it.

[@johnbrown2163]

Are you taking orders?

[@Xbish0pXgreyhatX]

Bamboo skewers work better...

[@BlackBearCustomKydex]

I have largely found that drain holes are unnecessary. If you have water in the sheath, draining it doesn't dry it enough to spare your blade the exposure. You'll still need to dry/oil the blade and let the sheath air out a little. That said, it doesn't hurt anything and it can look really nice! Either way, makes no difference.

[@bryanb6931]

Your right i use a 1/8 drill bit, and she had the the rivet punch upside down in the press .

[@007Jaredboy]

@@BlackBearCustomKydex I agree; if the knife had gotten that wet, it would be best to keep everything separate until it dries out. The drain hole wouldn't do much.

[@marty01957]

Kaila, where have you been ? We missed you. Good tutorial !

[@vancortrichards4514]

Very informative video you look great Kudos on your Naked and Afraid XL you look great and kicked ass PS I wish you showed more of your knife that you brought handmade cool handle

[@andrewf.lasseter4214]

This video is so sexy! Instantly subscribed, which I rarely do. I have been looking for a new project so I started looking into making Sheaths for the knives I have found and restored over the years, also in making my own Mag Pouches and eventually a couple Holsters. Anyway thanks for the pro tips! this was very helpful , every other video ive watched, which isnt a bunch, theyve had padding on both sides of there press but after seeing that pro tip of the hard bottom for the non visible side it seems the only way to do it ! Loook forward to more videos

[@Beckim007]

Hello beauty 😉, this video was super nice. Thnx a lot!!!

[@davidmccomb5490]

Great Work And Video..

[@apocalypseforge2666]

I always put on my makeup to forge too!

[@andygeibe]

I just found this channel.. I have not known love until now.. so many years lost...

[@abowhand]

Great video thanks! When I make pancakes they are double stacked, when I make tacos, they are folded.

[@rootinteuton966]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@garytroftgruben2029]

Where did you get that knife? Love it..

[@MrMarsBlades]

Nice one kaila, thanks for uploading

[@Andy_Wills]

Hey from over the pond - Wales UK Thank you for the tutorial 👍🏻 you have very beautiful eyes! Your husband is a lucky man!

[@trageopar]

Good stuff homie! Gonna try this out!

[@sqcboise]

Prettiest knife maker I've ever seen. 😉

[@drengskap]

Hi Kaila - really interesting tutorial, thanks. I've never done any Kydex work. but I work a lot in leather, and it's interesting to see how you work with such a different material. Also, I've never heard fake fingernails recommended for workshop use before - think I'll have to get me some ;-)

[@scottfergusson8411]

3-4 layers of tape on each side of the blade for space so the kydex does not scratch the blade.... maybe a small toaster oven to evenly heat your kydex.... toothpick for a drain hole at the tip of blade...

[@lifeandpryce2470]

Good video thank you for the how to info.

[@timothyy_saechao]

Can’t wait for the hat to arrive. Awesome video.

[@kailacumings]

Tim Saechao shipped them all out today! :) should be there soon

[@davidgau]

Good video I am planning on trying this pretty soon thanks

[@reygarza8535]

What kind of foam you use on press????? Great job on video tutorial!

[@Ms10204]

Hey Kaila.. I just purchased a Shrade model 36. [ SCHF36] is the model #.... This thing is a heavy little booger. It has about a 4.5 inch cutting edge and it is 1/4 " thick. The Sheath is the cloth type and is dreadfully ugly. LOL I need a belt carry Kydex sheath for it . I was wondering ,...Do you make or sell any sheaths that this Shrade model will fit into? :) Thank you Sweetie,....... and I really liked this video.

[@Ms10204]

PS: ______ DANG, You are PUUUUURDY!!!_______ LOL

[@davidwoodward7020]

Hi Kaila,great vid and thanks for sharing.What thickness of kydex would say is best for a knife sheath?cheers,David

[@jonenglish6617]

Great video.

[@russellsimpson9492]

so you don't need to re-heat it, you can put three layers of tap on each side of the blade. it also protects the blade while making it.

[@arjunaelhajj8117]

Manthappp eceu! Eceu eceu yg laen maen di dapur,eceu yg satu ini maen di Work Shop!!

[@rcarvalhocutelariaartesana7087]

Great work Kaila...😎🖒🖒🖒

[@pastordgurning4790]

Thank you, Kaila. When you sold the sheath, how much do you charge?

[@brentfraunfelder892]

Is there a heat press you can recommend inexpensively?

[@ShooterOnTheRock]

Nice video. How about posting links to your preferred tool & materials suppliers. BTW: What is the rivet setting bit installed in your arbor press?

[@yaboiiNESs]

Umm. I’m in love! 🤔

[@manoloramirez6456]

Good job girl good video

[@Dave-tt2uf]

What is your press made of? Plywood and... what is the material that presses on the kydex?

[@mikemcnice3868]

You should put some masking tape on the blade before moulding the kydex. Not doing this will cause the blade to be scratched by inserting it into the sheath.

[@cesarmagdaleno1128]

If scratching the blade is your main concern, then you're not using the knife as it was intended.

[@TheMarshy-wb7wu]

G’day from Australia I like your vids their very insightful& yes wear your correct PPE & please tie your hair back working around that bloody belt sander 👍🏻

[@fourgedmushrooms5958]

Australia to! Good point!

[@larespuertorico]

great job

[@dylanmorgan-jones9217]

Could you just curve the back of the eyelet over with a ball hammer? I don't have a press... Suppose if I got aluminium eyelets then they should be soft enough to let me do that, or would they just break and crack?

[@marcuzzz80]

the woman of my dreams, I already see ourselves forging and grinding together ....... I love you!

[@bluegrasssurvival9423]

I'm sure her husband appreciates that...creep..

[@fearthespear4242]

Bluegrass Survival I agree that he’s a creep, but she’s also not married, still weird though

[@dannynimmo3052]

beautiful smile:) thanks for the info. I'm gonna try that. I watched a couple other videos, you explained things more clearly then the others, and it doesn't hurt that your pretty :) LOL maybe I listened better because your pretty? I'm kidding, it was a great video. Thanks again for that. I really like to see women doing shop stuff, not many are drawn to it. I have a machine shop and I've had a few in the shop and I've noticed they have distinct advantages in ways. They are more dexterous with their fingers and have patiants to stay with something sometimes where men get distracted easily, hard to explain but I love to see it when they enjoy it or get a since of accomplishment from it sometimes. doesn't happen in my corner of the world that much but its awesome whatever it is. I'm training my 20 yr old niece right now thats studying to be an engineer she started college at 16... I'm gonna stop there because I'm gonna start bragging on her LOL. something else to play with in the shop, thats all the info to get me started. Your awesome!

[@stageforgejon905]

I'm not sure how your videos popped up for me but I'm here to say,young lady you are no joke! You definitely know what your talking about! And I'm a new subscriber! And I'm so sorry to say this cus I don't want to sound like the idiots with their sexiest remarks! But you have the most amazing, beautiful eyes I have ever seen!! And it goes with your amazing smile! You are definitely happy with what you do! Keep the videos coming!! Have a amazing day!

[@kailacumings]

Thanks for the kind words and support

[@paulws58]

Good video. Thanks.

[@clarktaplin9495]

How do you attach the belt hanger? BTW your a gorgeous blade smith!

[@remenberyoumeaneverythingt1345]

amazing and awesome , thanks

[@GrnEagle1]

Yeah. What if you want to attach it to ylur belt. How do you do that?

[@thomaschetney990]

I love your nail’s 😂

[@leafinitup1]

What grommet press is that? What else do I need for the press? Thanks!

[@skipwatson5258]

Great video!

[@OnAirVoice]

You make that look so easy. I would end up with a mess. LOL

[@Wavemaninawe]

Experience. Experience. Experience.

[@heyguyswhatsup8338]

What knife is that you made the sheath for in the video? I really like it and would like to find one. Great video by the way.

[@kailacumings]

Kailacumingsknives.com I made it

[@dankissinger1969]

Right on thank you.

[@Ignitethesky]

Nice homemade press. I tried to cut corners and use memory foam... it was a miserable failure. In hind sight it was obvious.

[@loki1066]

That's fine for a sheath, but how do you get such beautiful eyes ?😻😻😻

[@gemknives6229]

It's called makeup

[@arcturusbbqsausagemaking2435]

Great job ....Well. done just Subscribed

[@edwinalgarin1715]

Ty for sharing