Spyderco Forums

The Bolatron sheath I got for my Mule was pretty loose, and I heard you could put the kydex into a toaster oven to heat it up and make the fit tighter. But I didn't think about it until I had already stuck it into the hot sheath that when I heated it to 300 degrees that might be hot enough to ruin the blade's temper. I'm hoping the temperature is low enough and the time it takes to cool down fast enough that it won't matter.

Im no pro, but I would doubt 300 degrees would temper steel in any away.

As long as you didn't stick the knife in while you were heating the sheath, you should be fine.

No issue if it’s only Fahrenheit.
(That’s just a warm day in Northern Australia )

No it shouldn't as 300F is generally below where most all are tempered at anyway HOWEVER I will explain how I've successfully done this with several sheaths.

I remove the belt clip then use a heat gun to soften the sheath to the point that the knife slips in, then I continue to heat the top of the sheath until it's somewhat pliable and then put it in my kydex press (a couple of pieces of 2x4 with 4 layers of floor mat, 2 per side) and clamp it up until it cools, the knives snap in like they should now.

kennbr34 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 4:57 am

The Bolatron sheath I got for my Mule was pretty loose, and I heard you could put the kydex into a toaster oven to heat it up and make the fit tighter. But I didn't think about it until I had already stuck it into the hot sheath that when I heated it to 300 degrees that might be hot enough to ruin the blade's temper. I'm hoping the temperature is low enough and the time it takes to cool down fast enough that it won't matter.

The temper? Hmm. To the extent of my knowledge, technically speaking, yes it could. Depends on what your definition of temper is. Alloy dependant obviously, and yes 300 is really low on the scale, but to answer your question correctly; Scientifically yes it can change the microstructure of especially some Spyderco alloys. Yes, at ONLY 300°F. Now is this something that even a differential depth tester can measure? Let alone you as a human being? No. So I wouldn't worry about it. Personally would I have made a wooden core? Probably. However for the record, I also personally wouldn't be.. upset if I did and for the time frame that you are referring to specifically? Yeah no man, I wouldn't worry about that one. The steel didn't even know. Just being technical here.

standy99 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 7:56 am

No issue if it’s only Fahrenheit.
(That’s just a warm day in Northern Australia )

Do you all say "UP" north like we do?

legOFwhat? wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 26, 2024 1:55 pm

standy99 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 7:56 am

No issue if it’s only Fahrenheit.
(That’s just a warm day in Northern Australia )

Do you all say "UP" north like we do?

Yep i am “ Up north “ downunder

Well I actually live in one of the three states that are directional
Northern Australia… NT
Southern Australia… SA
Western Australia… WA

Wasn’t that much in naming the country it’s so big and split into just 7 states. We have cattle stations bigger than Texas

jmj3esq wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 22, 2024 5:51 am

Im no pro, but I would doubt 300 degrees would temper steel in any away.

It really depends on the steel. It's at least low enough you wouldn't completely blow the temper on any steel.