Kydex sheet thickness?

Mark Barone

Mark Barone

Well-Known Member
I'm going to build a kydex press and noticed the sheets are different thicknesses. I saw .08, .06 , I think I even saw a .11. I am not sure the popularity of this method on this forum but was wondering what I should buy for skinners/bushcraft styles.
 
Most use .060” for smaller knives, fillet knives, kitchen knives.
Midrange knife say an 8” hunter .08” is good.
Bowie’s, stout military types benefit for .092”
Thicker than that is used for belt clips.
 
BossDog said:
Most use .060” for smaller knives, fillet knives, kitchen knives.
Midrange knife say an 8” hunter .08” is good.
Bowie’s, stout military types benefit for .092”
Thicker than that is used for belt clips.
Click to expand...
Thanks Boss , just the info I needed.
 
Retro, on a side note- something to think about also is hardware. If you use kydex you need eyelets (rivets) etc. The small ones look clean but you can’t fit beaded chain through the hole (neck knives). 1/4” looks big, but is the most useful and versatile.
 
I used to use .060 but have switched to .080 because i have had some of the .060 crack where the kydex flexes over time.
 
My personal favorite has always been .090" It's a bit more difficult to work with, but I've found it holds up better over the long term.
I have sort of a phobia about thin kydex..... only because in the past I got my hands on some finished products made of .040" or less, the person hadn't taken the time to clean smooth the edges....and it was like getting cut with a razor blade. I'm sure the same could happen with thicker....but it was the thin stuff that "bit" me. :)
 
By the way, to save money on Kydex, buy a full 4' x 8' sheet on line (from various suppliers), have them cut it into 2' x 4' pieces, packaged up, and it can be shipped via UPS fairly cheap.
 
Based on everybody’s experience and my lack thereof I think I’ll start with the .08 . I made a few knifes and may even have a few to sell but I’ll want to make sure a sheath goes with it.
 
Old Guard Dog said:
By the way, to save money on Kydex, buy a full 4' x 8' sheet on line (from various suppliers), have them cut it into 2' x 4' pieces, packaged up, and it can be shipped via UPS fairly cheap.
Click to expand...

Wow I didn’t know they came that big. Maybe in the future if I have some success selling.
 
Good point on buying full sheets! (4x8'). If you do the math, you'll be surprised at how much money you save when buying a full sheet compared to by the Square foot. I usually buy a couple of sheets at a time, from Port Plastics in Denver, CO. The best part..... it doesn't do bad on the shelf! :)
 
John Wilson said:
Retro, on a side note- something to think about also is hardware. If you use kydex you need eyelets (rivets) etc. The small ones look clean but you can’t fit beaded chain through the hole (neck knives). 1/4” looks big, but is the most useful and versatile.
Click to expand...

Good advice, I will go with the 1/4 inch
 
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