Ever like a knife but not the sheath, or vice versa?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

What are your experiences everyone, in which you really enjoy a particular knife design, but the sheath is not well-made, or downright lame? I have seen and owned both fixed and folders like this. And sometimes, I guess this is even worse, the sheath is cool, but the knife isn't all its advertised to be.

A great example: I don't want to mention the brand name, but, there is a folder I saw, the blade is well-made quality stainless steel, and the handle scales are beautiful, smooth, all the fittings are exquisite. But the pouch-style sheath is functional yet, in my opinion, too large, too awkward, and just not right for the knife in question. I would much rather have the knife as is, or, with a more compact belt pouch.

And here is a sortof-related question: Have you ever purchased a sheath/scabbard/belt pouch that was not made by the same maker as the knife, but, the sheath or pouch still worked well?

[RanCoWeAla]

I look at the sheath first and if it's not Kydex pop in and out I don't buy the knife or even look at it. I look at the clip on a folder and if it not tip up I don't buy it. That's why I've never owned a Military and never will until one is made with tip up clip. I spent 27 years in the Military and know what works and what doesn't.

[Bloke]

I don't carry knives on my belt, neither hunting nor fishing and I view sheaths as little more than blade guards that stop the knife cutting things I don't want cut. :eek:

Consequently I can't imagine myself marvelling at a sheath while the knife lays discarded somewhere. Besides, at the risk of sounding like a braggart I make some world class sheaths from cardboard and insulation tape and once I even made one from a plastic fast food container and colour matched the tape to the handle. :cool:

Having said that there is a lot to be said for a well made and practical sheath. I'm pretty lucky because a good mate of mine is a saddle maker and Shorty makes me any sheath or knife wrap I want for a box of beer or bottle of rum and always insists I help him drink them. :rolleyes:

[Doc Dan]

I bought a nice knife with a leather sheath. However, the scales on the slim knife are G10 slabs. The leather sheath is difficult to remove the knife and especially to put it back, again. I never carry it, as a result. I love the knife, but not the sheath. I need to get a kydex sheath made for it one of these days.

[Evil D]

Yeah, I don't really care for most kydex sheaths when it comes to knives, so for example just about every Spyderco fixed blade would need a leather sheath made for me to carry it.

[demoncase]

The Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife (which is perhaps one of the most iconic knives ever made) comes with a sheath which fits the knife like a toothpick fits inside a size 20 sock.....It literally rattles around like a thought inside a supermodel's head.
Then again so many of these come from Sheffield blunter than a butterknife so it's swings and roundabouts

Also the Cold Steel Kobun comes with a kydex sheath designed (it seems) specifically to blunt the knife every 4 times you draw it.
It literally needs another 5mm clearance on the edge side of the sheath to go from "ARGH!" to "Awesome"

That said- Cold Steel's Chaos series have an excellent iteration of the kydex sheath theme- but deary me- that knife is heavy, poor balanced and terrible at cutting. It's like I'd say it'd be good at knocking nails in but they put an *ahem* 'skull crusher' pommel on it so it won't even do that well.
Though it will make a reasonable paperweight.

[The Deacon]

Can't say I've really liked the sheath that came with any production fixed blade knife I've ever owned. A couple of the leather ones were marginally tolerable, most were flimsy. The ballistic nylon, kydex, and other "plastic" sheaths were total junk. Heck, I don't think I've ever seen a non-leather sheath I like.

[bearfacedkiller]

I don't usually like factory sheaths but I also don't think that many makers put much into them. Part of me thinks they shouldn't. This is a difficult area.

Sheaths add to the cost of a knife and many people do not consider the sheath when assessing the value of a knife. For this reason knives that come with cheap sheaths are often easier to market from a price standpoint. Also, most of us have very different opinions of what a good sheath is. We can be hard to please in this area. I know I am. It is probably better for the maker to not invest to much into the sheath and allow the buyer to make their own or buy a custom sheath.

While Spyderco is an amazing company and probably my favorite maker I do not really like many of their sheaths. The quality is good but I would do without them if it reduced price. They all ride too high for me and I only really like kydex for neck knives and that is because it is slim and offers superior retention. I prefer a low ride leather sheath most of the time. I do also appreciate nylon sheaths with accessory pockets for sharpening stones and use a few of them.

[kiwisailor]

Jerry Busse went away from shop supplied Sheaths approx. 18 years ago. I think it is quite a hassle to provide a "Top Notch" sheath made "in house"
After all, most Knife Makers are just that, NOT Sheath makers, which is a different animal.

I've noticed over the years that a lot of top quality K.M.'s farm out that specialised trade to Tradespeople whose skills are in that area and probably couldn't make a knife if their life depended on it..

Randall Knives are a classic example (no pun intended), they always have their Cutlery matched up with well made Sheaths, made to order by Sheath Makers who create a usable (read, easily and comfortably carried) PACKAGE.
My Busse Battle Mistress is always a grab and go knife even though it is a 10 inch blade, simply because it has a fantastic, functional, practical and comfortable Sheath by River City Sheaths. Without a great Sheath, it would be a beast/female dog, to carry and use. It would be a wall hanger..

For what it's worth, I consider the Knife 50% of the package.
Think that is a exaggeration? How many knives do YOU have, that you won't pick up and take with you, on your latest adventure because the sheath is a Pig?