Kydex Holster Making

In this video, knifemaker Walter Sorrells makes an outside-the-waistband holster from Kydex. Kydex is a thermoplastic which allows you to mold custom holsters using relatively inexpensive materials and gear. The same techniques can be used to make sheaths for knives. The holster shown in this video could be used for concealed carry or for practical shooting competitions such as IDPA.
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[@lukasroland3726]

This is one of those few channels that I automatically like the videos when I watch

[@brockpaperscissors7003]

Silver Trident yes

[@tightlilthang]

This is a fantastic tutorial man. Great job. Im currently in school for gunsmithing, and we are working on a Kydex holster project. This is so much more detailed and has so much more valuable information than the course provided material.

[@glorytogod4372]

I like this guy more and more with every video of his I watch...

[@imatampabaydj]

What an excellent tutorial. One of the most complete I have watched to date. I finished my press yesterday and will be starting my first holster this weekend. Thanks Walter!

[@GlockmanGG]

Great video, when I started making holsters 10+ years ago there were only one guy on utube teaching people how to make them. I bought a Glock 17 full size plastic gun model so I didn’t melt the gun I was making the holster for. I also made a fixture to make the belt loops out of 1/8 thick kydex and I use .080 stock for my holsters . I use the blue gun and block out any catch points other then the trigger guard for keeping the gun in place and I use a round pice of wood as part of my blue gun setup so the retention can be adjusted with a heat gun after it’s all finished . The pice of dowel goes in the trigger guard, this really makes the end adjustment very easy. Great video , I watch all your videos. Thanks

[@4gunner]

You sir, are a Godsend for the everyday DIY'r. Thank you for your dedication! God bless.

[@martingarza3383]

I like that you make the holsters and use them in completion modifying, tweeking as needed then teaching us ins and outs 👍

[@SDGinfo]

I would call leaving a mag in during the pressing a must on polymer pistols as I've had a mag well shrink up a bit losing that drop free goodness on a Glock, I had to carefully heat up the frame while inserting a mag to get it back to normal. Great video!

[@patmac104]

Well done! Very professional and easy to understand!

[@glennmuir5617]

Very good instructional video. You are a good instructor.

[@OurDee]

Thank you. I am just starting to play with kydex. I just made a neck holster for my NAA Pug. I got 4 sheets of kydex for less than the holster would have cost me, and mine came out looking better. Now on to knife carry solutions. This is fun. thanks

[@patrickminers2734]

Walter your gifted with technique and sharing, Thank you !!

[@blcouch]

Great stuff as always Walter. And super props for Collateral references!!!!!

[@mjunkin812]

Great video this has help me so much with our holsters.

[@rp8133]

no matter whether knife or gun holster - the knowledge needed is all the same ... so thanks a lot for sharing this knowledge. and, thumbs up of course

[@locoformotos]

Good afternoon Walter, thank you for posting this video. Whilst I am unlikely to use this material for a gun holster, I can see many other practical uses for it, using wooden blanks for templates. All the best, Tim

[@XenaTheQuadCamBikah]

Great diy! I’m going to try making one of these to use as a trigger guard for my Can Can belly band.

[@TJackSurvival]

This works great. Did it for my HIll People gear bag.

[@pacopaco3175]

Excellent video! Very informative!

[@aidankilleen5889]

Straight to the point, informative, and well presented. Thank you! I'll be making one for me and probably all my friends too 😆 Edit: a pre made paddle or mount would go a long way, and they're usually cheap, and a strap over the top of the gun would be a nice touch too. DIY is the best.

[@lincolnpascual]

Well made, informative video. Subbed... You can always learn something new, even though I've been making kydex holsters for years.

[@stedebassett1523]

Very nice craftsmanship sir.

[@Coralrockplumbing]

Good video, nice details!

[@fredcapute]

Great tips, congrats

[@user-jt4rq8xi2w]

Did notice that the rear rivet hole on the green holster was too close to the trigger guard for you but you applied what you learned there to the single rivet on the tan holster. Good job. Good video. From the time of posting of this video from the future of 2023. 👊🏽😎

[@Slobberdog66]

Well done very interesting work.

[@rogerbalcer1]

Best I've seen ! Thanks

[@nw1911guy]

Nice reload in that outdoor match! I'm guessing you must be a master class shooter? Thanks for the video!

[@goofynose2520]

Great video!

[@vincedunord231]

Execellent video!

[@josephconnelly7124]

Thanks Walter ! Nice holsters, good shooting ;-)

[@17lanceh]

Great video

[@wiggleya]

Great great videos Walter, subbed

[@zacharyyoung3834]

Very interesting stuff!

[@jfilm7466]

Thanks for these tips, saved me a lot of future time not making those mistakes.

[@francenomadvwt4]

well explained step by step thanks

[@firesharksar2250]

Great, now I have to go out and experiment. Thanks for the good intro video.

[@betojr9279]

I'm from Brazil. Great video 👍

[@petermonck5448]

Real craftsman. Good teacher. 👍🇱🇷😎☕

[@brighambaker3381]

Awesome; thank you!

[@billysgeo]

One of the few gun related video out of the US that I liked, and the only one from a channel I am subscribed to!

[@TheSuburban15]

The foam padding sold to go under sleeping bags works well for Kydex pressing. You can buy rolls from the sporting goods section of WalMart. For knife sheaths, one thickness will probably work, but you'll need two thicknesses per side for a holster.

[@spacecat86]

great vid!

[@darinkaintz386]

Great Video Thanks! Subscribed.

[@lapuzza1455]

I wish my area had a deal like this shooting. Be lots of fun and good fellowship

[@jacksean]

Walter, you're the man! Have been watching your knife videos for years. Got really into guns, and was surprised and excited to see you had a DIY holster video. I'm trying to make my own holster for a G48 with Streamlight. Any tips or things to look out for when making a holster with a weapon light or just follow the same process? Cheers!

[@SamuelMcCunemusic]

Got a video on how you made your press? Thanks for sharing!

[@andreaartoni4508]

brilliant!

[@GarretGoodbarrel]

Cool set up! When I saw the Glock 19 with the flashlight on it, I was hoping you'd make a holster that fits the light. I have a holster coming from Bravo Concealment that's fitted for my VP9 with a TLR-1s :)

[@JohnBorgen]

I am somewhat surprised at the number of these types of video's I've watched (holster making DIY) in which they DON'T use the rod/dowel for the front site in prepping the gun. Well done!

[@jedimann7468]

Great vid. Subed. Gunna try and make one this year and see how it goes.

[@gunchief0811]

KYDEX!!! YES SIR! good stuff..

[@jamiejohnston4983]

I know this is an old video but I watched is and made a fine little holster

[@daeroc]

You got all "Homie, is that my briefcase?" on em. Nice video

[@jfilm7466]

Belt and braces 😂 My kids always laugh when I go the extra mile and say belt and braces. As they are Swedish it's even funnier for them.

[@billmcyrus]

Very cool! What loads do you run in your 34?

[@noahpalfy8386]

Hey just wondering if you were going to attach one of these holsters to Molle how would you do it? Thank you so much for the informational video and I realize I am slightly late.

[@micway71]

Where is my holster for my M22 Gen 4 and M30S??? Great vid Walter!

[@justinbarney6286]

Have a question ...when it comes to using the same heat molding with kydex, would the same process work with UHMW? And between the 2, which would be the better, or wouldn't it matter?

[@fastmattmattmatt]

Could you possibly show how you made that kydex press!

[@DaPiggyGaming]

i was thinking about doing this and cutting the belt loop down the middle so it can go in molle.

[@Freedom-si8rc]

"Today not knifes guns" Yippee!!

[@igamewhenimbored7696]

this guy is the mark serbu of knife making

[@cody4258]

Would it be possible to show how to make a kydex holster that would also fit the light attachment?

[@texascove2339]

Do you sell holsters, I would like to get one like the one you have for competition

[@johnbrown2163]

Can you make a holster for a Scoped Dan Wesson Revolver?

[@strycian]

What if I want to do one with a paddle or wider backing to it?

[@johnbrown2163]

Wish you could make a sheath for my 800 dollar Katana Sword. Great videos... Liked and Subscribed.

[@isaacbarnes3483]

How would you go about doing this with a light mount

[@hoppinggnomethe4154]

is it better to make an epoxy replica of your pistol for kydex holster making?

[@sergiopiece]

Was the beginning clip at GA Firing Line?

[@thedoctorwillseeunow2233]

If you want an IWB holster, just make this holster, but for the opposite side. If you are right handed, make a lefty holster. Also, what kind of tape did you use for the sight bar?

[@valescobedo1526]

How many times can you reheat and reshape kydex?

[@jfilm7466]

Subscribed 🇬🇧🇸🇪

[@taurushipointenthusiast1306]

I have been surfing you tube for kydex holster making. So far this is direct easy.Most i see use 2 pieces of molded kydex up to 8 rivets. One question have you ever done one with an inside barrier felt,cloth or leather between holster and the gun?

[@edgreywolf]

+Taurus/Hipoint Enthusiast i have..... but you need to glue the leather first before forming the kydex.... works well for knife sheaths..... neck knives stay in no prob with just the blade covered and not the handle....

[@stag3t-muspsa910]

Yeppers....gonna make me one....ordering stuff off amazon tonight.....

[@custodiocaio]

Qual o tipo de kydex utilizado?

[@kevinbietry7527]

I really like the reduced use of hardware by folding a belt loop over from the extra materials rather than buying clips etc.

[@frankgon4]

Mr. Sorrells, I enjoy your videos. Coincidentally, I had a Glock 19 on my hip as I watched this video. Have you ever attached thick leather belt loops to the kydex ?

[@ColoradoBergsteiger]

Walter I like your riggers belt! Airborne all the way!

[@rudygonzales9030]

Great video! Thanks for making it. Curious what type of kydex do you recommend? (Kydex 100,T, V) Or does it matter?

[@WalterSorrellsBlades]

I haven't found that it makes much difference.

[@zato6226]

,06 kydex is light and is great for any holster. But they are not strong enough for a Belt loop. That's where you use a belt clip screwed on the holster.

[@alterpanda8988]

"sorta like a taco" damn that's a great example

[@JaredTKDtournament1]

What about loading up all the goodies on the rails first? Got any vids on that? I have a laser site on the rail and it doesnt fit any premade holster on the market. Thats a royal pain.

[@copagoy]

I am a holster maker and I use .80 boltatron it's kydex just stronger. Also knife kits is a sister company to holster Smith which they carry same products but knife kits has more knife making vice versa. I cut out a 8x6 sheet for most full sized guns then I design it and cut it out. When heating kydex you shouldn't pre heat because that will it fold so put it in then heat and if you can you should use a laser thermometer then heat it to 320 F or 160 C

[@muhammadazamkhan5142]

I'm a bit late to the video but could anyone please tell me alternatives to using rivets as where i live holsters are mostly imported and not made locally but i want to change that and make affordable and effective holsters. Kydex can be acquired through some suppliers that are in the neighboring countries etc but the only problem is the rivets

[@jrx2662]

where do I get those rivets at

[@paulmoss6182]

how can I turn a home made holster into a type 2 or 3

[@redneckpatriot4714]

Is it safe and ok to use your gun to make your holster

[@sprengt]

Im making a holster thats going on my tactical molle belt, the problem is that i just have 0.2 mm not 0.6 or 0.9. Is 0.2 too thin and just a time waste trying to make it ? And also do you have any good tip on what I can use to get the right shapes when you have a flashlight on the pistol? To build up the curves from the flashlight and other details ?

[@samuelp1227]

.2 is bigger than the normal .080

[@RougemontForge]

Is there anything you have seen that could possibly replace the rubber stuff? Styrofoam maybe? but it would be only one-use I guess.

[@WalterSorrellsBlades]

Unfortunately I've tried a bunch of (cheaper) stuff that worked like crap. You want the good stuff.

[@mnshutterbug]

Any reason you can't just use just chicago screws and no rivets?

[@DaveSmith-cp5kj]

Tip for anyone making the book press used to fold kydex. The foam can be made out of office foam matting. You can find this at office depot or staples, but lowes or osh should carry some of it. Also have the bottom foam removable. If you have foam on both sides you will be forced to make a clamshell style deisgn as shown here. By using only foam on one side, one side of your holster will be flat which tends to increase comfort and follow the form of molle vests more seamlessly leading to less wobble when mounted.

[@twc9000]

Thanks for the tips.

[@johnnyatm30]

Ff

[@johnnyatm30]

Xox and the

[@johnnyatm30]

Ty and former y. O

[@johnnyatm30]

F.😮

[@bradleycornell7248]

at about 11 minutes you show a different holster with leather straps attached to it. Do you have any tips on how to build to allow those?

[@WalterSorrellsBlades]

Bradley Cornell Those straps are rubber. That's actually a store-bought holster. But I'm sure you can buy similar straps. I actually kinda hate that holster though.

[@bradleycornell7248]

Walter Sorrells okay awesome info to have.

[@edgreywolf]

noticed you added a mag to the pistol..... if you dont when the kydex is higher in the grip the handle will slightly close making the mag not want to come out easily..... been there done that..... no worries tho heat gun handle with a heat gun lightly on the handle of the glock and add a mag will restore it....

[@berlinwebster1369]

great job i need one tu

[@Oshia666]

Stick the kydex on a baking tray and some thread-lock would keep those screws in.

[@rogerj412]

Zerkazerkastan LOL that's awesome.

[@TheWoodWhirler]

Watched a lot of these Kydex videos and the one thing I noticed is that almost everyone preheats their oven/toaster. Why? Logic defies me as to why one would want to throw the cold kydex into a hot oven/toaster. Why not heat the two at the same rate? Answer please.

[@usoppbarbosa981]

+Larry Martin maybe because it's faster? when i make knife sheaths, i heat up the oven to about 180°C. The sheet takes roughly a minute to be ready for molding. while the oven heats up i have time to mask the knife, prepare the press, get my heat gloves ready, or whatever needs to be done. Also, when making several sheaths or holsters, it's often you just go industrial and leave the oven on for the next job, and go to the press every 10 minutes with a new molding, getting them all done. All in all, as long as the oven is not cranked up, but set at the right temperature, kydex doesnt mind getting tossed up there cold. It's also easier to see it react to heat and determine when it's ready to be molded. you see it going from flat to slightly wavy on the corners really quick. If you turn your oven on with the kydex in it, you basically have to wait in front of it to make sure it doesn't melt.

[@TheWoodWhirler]

Makes sense to me. I only do one at a time ever two of three months..

[@circuscase]

0:18...GGGGOODDDDAAMMNNNN..........