Poor Sheath Retention - Enuff Sheepfoot

[TheCanadian]

Hi everyone!

I've purchased 2 Enuff Sheepfoot knives in the past six months for use on and around rivers (rafting, canoeing etc). Both use the Spyderco injection molded polymer sheath. One has excellent retention, but the other has unacceptable retention and the knife pops-out with ease. It's literally brand new and hasn't been used yet. Rather than go through the hassle/expense of shipping the sheath back, I thought that I would ask if anyone had any tips for trying to tighten the sheath myself. I know you can use a heat gun for kydex, but what about these injection molded polymer sheaths? Any advice? Thank you!

[Michael Janich]

Dear TheCanadian:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[olywa]

I've had one for years. I sent the original sheath back for retention issues. The replacement is better but still loose enough to have some rattle to it. Like you I am hesitant to try the heat gun. I'll be tracking this to see if your question elicits some good suggestions.

[VooDooChild]

Spydercos sheaths are really hit or miss with me.

You could get yourself some small plastic buckles,

And some paracord. Use the grommets on the sheath and the lanyard hole in the handle.

[JRinFL]

I wonder if you can do the same as you can with kydex sheaths and heat them carefully with a heat gun to soften the plastic and press down to tighten them up some? I guess I'll need to experiment on my own.

[Coastal]

If anyone figures this out, post it up! I won't use my Enuff because it rattles in the sheath so badly. I tried the heat gun, but I was afraid to heat it up till it was truly hot, for fear of ruining it. Come to think of it, I probably couldn't make it much worse than it already is...

[Woodpuppy]

This is a very timely post as I’ve been considering getting an Enuff Salt as my PFD knife. The knife is already expensive enough without having to send it off for a custom kydex sheath.

[gspam1]

You could add a strap with the industrial strength Velcro available at any big box store. I mount my cordless tools in cheap pistol holsters and secure them with a nylon velcro strap.

II would go all out with the heat gun. Worse case, someone could make you a sheath on Etsy if you destroy this one. I guess I got lucky, my Enuff sheath holds very firmly.

[Coastal]

This is a very timely post as I’ve been considering getting an Enuff Salt as my PFD knife. The knife is already expensive enough without having to send it off for a custom kydex sheath.

The knife itself is pretty cool. In my opinion it has the most comfortable handle of any Spyderco I've held. If it had another inch of blade, it would be a well-nigh perfect fixie.

[sal]

Hi Canadian,

I'm sorry for your disappointment. Injection molded sheaths are always a challenge. I would suggest you contact customer service and speak with Charlynne. I'll give her a "Head-up" that you'll call.

sal

[JB Dix]

My Enuff Salt just arrived yesterday. It has very solid retention. I think it would be nice to see a tension adjustment screw like a lot of my Kydex sheaths in case it loosens up over time or from use.

Break-up has just started here in Ottawa. I got it for a PFD knife for kayaking and just in time. Retention for a water knife is pretty critical particularly since I shoulder mount with handle down for easy retrieval.

Cheers,

[Ranger000]

Hi everyone!

I've purchased 2 Enuff Sheepfoot knives in the past six months for use on and around rivers (rafting, canoeing etc). Both use the Spyderco injection molded polymer sheath. One has excellent retention, but the other has unacceptable retention and the knife pops-out with ease. It's literally brand new and hasn't been used yet. Rather than go through the hassle/expense of shipping the sheath back, I thought that I would ask if anyone had any tips for trying to tighten the sheath myself. I know you can use a heat gun for kydex, but what about these injection molded polymer sheaths? Any advice? Thank you!

Silly me.....but I thought that their QC department would catch that before it was shipped to you !!?? And all Mike from Spyderco says is....."Welcome to the forum" !!??

[Woodpuppy]

This is a very timely post as I’ve been considering getting an Enuff Salt as my PFD knife. The knife is already expensive enough without having to send it off for a custom kydex sheath.

The knife itself is pretty cool. In my opinion it has the most comfortable handle of any Spyderco I've held. If it had another inch of blade, it would be a well-nigh perfect fixie.

My Enuff Salt just arrived yesterday. It has very solid retention. I think it would be nice to see a tension adjustment screw like a lot of my Kydex sheaths in case it loosens up over time or from use.

Break-up has just started here in Ottawa. I got it for a PFD knife for kayaking and just in time. Retention for a water knife is pretty critical particularly since I shoulder mount with handle down for easy retrieval.

Cheers,

Thanks for the positive feedback gents! The Salt version of this model isn’t discussed much. It looks to be a really great option for canoeists & kayakers.

[Coastal]

I would go all out with the heat gun.

This turned out to be good advice. A few minutes with a heat gun has my sheath retaining the Enuff Salt satisfactorily! It's not perfect yet, and it still rattles, but I think a little more work will take care of it... After which the Enuff will take up its intended spot on my PFD.

[Woodpuppy]

I would go all out with the heat gun.

This turned out to be good advice. A few minutes with a heat gun has my sheath retaining the Enuff Salt satisfactorily! It's not perfect yet, and it still rattles, but I think a little more work will take care of it... After which the Enuff will take up its intended spot on my PFD.

Great news! Heat gun or hair dryer?

[JRinFL]

I thought I might have mentioned the heat gun?

[Coastal]

The aforementioned Enuff Salt, along with its formerly loose and rattly sheath:



By heating the top of the sheath with a heat gun until too hot to touch and then pinching it with pliers, I tightened it to the point that it's hard to pull the knife out of the sheath, but reasonably easy to release it with thumb pressure. All rattling is gone. I then sanded the sheath to remove the plier abrasions. I should have wrapped the jaws, but I didn't consider it at the time.

Next, I'll install the sheath on my PFD and check deployment with both hands, both thumb release and just jerking it free. My current PFD knife is a Saver Salt. I'm also considering keeping that one clipped to the PFD, and mounting the Enuff on the kayak. Or maybe the other way around. Or maybe mounting my Waterway on the kayak. I'd love to hear forumites' views on the use of knives while kayaking, and especially fishing from a kayak -- not necessarily full-on oceangoing, Surfgringo-style fishing, but bays, estuaries, lakes and the like.

[Woodpuppy]

I’d want to have the knife on me, especially in the case of getting separated from the boat in an entanglement or strainer situation.

[Coastal]

I’d want to have the knife on me, especially in the case of getting separated from the boat in an entanglement or strainer situation.

100% agree! I'm trying to decide which knife that should be, and whether to attach one to the kayak in addition.

[Woodpuppy]

I’d want to have the knife on me, especially in the case of getting separated from the boat in an entanglement or strainer situation.

100% agree! I'm trying to decide which knife that should be, and whether to attach one to the kayak in addition.

Ah! I missed the “and”. Nothing wrong with belt and suspenders. Is either sheath more suitable for either mounting location?