Answers To All Your Knife Sheath Questions

There’s no point to a dull knife, literally. So, what is the best way to transport your knife while keeping it safe? A knife sheath.

We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about knife sheaths and answered them all for you. Keep reading to find out more about

What is a knife sheath?

A protective knife cover is called a knife sheath.

What kind of materials are sheaths made from?

You can find sheaths made of leather, Kydex, plastic, and wood.

What are the pros and cons of the different types of materials?

Each material has its own benefits and downfalls. Let’s break it down by material:

1. Leather

   Leather is a traditional sheath material. It has a strong aesthetic appeal, evoking feelings of rugged masculinity. They have withstood the test of time, having been used as sheaths for knives for centuries. They are soft to the touch and gentle to the blade. Leather is a natural material, so it is prone to degradation. If it becomes wet or too hot, it can crack and damage. It should last a long time if it is well-maintained and kept as dry as possible.

2. Kydex

   These sleek sheaths are a more modern take on leather. They are a waterproof thermoplastic material. To make a knife sheath, you can heat the Kydex to imprint your exact blade so the sheath won’t dull it. Kydex is not meant for long-term knife storage, though, as it can capture moisture inside and create an environment for rust. They are easy to clean and maintain. These sheaths are going to be more expensive.

3. Plastic

   These sheaths are less durable than Kydex or leather. They can be waterproof, which is helpful. Plastic sheaths will dull knives as they are pulled in and out of them. They are the most affordable knife sheath option. But don’t expect a plastic sheath life to be nearly as long as a Kydex or leather one.

4. Wood

   Although wood has been a classic choice for a sheath for a long time, it is falling out of style. The dulling property of wood is its biggest downfall. They also lock in moisture and have caused many good knives to rust.

How do knife sheaths protect the knife?

Any time the blade makes contact with things, it dulls it more. Knife blades can also break if you do not handle or transport them correctly.

How else do knife sheaths provide protection?

Knife sheaths offer double protection. They protect the blade, but they also protect the handler. As you are transporting a knife, you don’t want to reach for it and find the blade instead of the handle first. Knife sheaths make the knife safer for anyone handling it while it is not in use.

Utilizing a knife sheath also comes in handy for anyone around curious children or nosy pets that might be around a knife. An exposed blade could be very dangerous. A sheathed knife could also, but it adds a layer of protection to slow down accidental injuries.

Can I wear my sheath?

Absolutely. You can wear knife sheaths in many different places on your body. Here are some of our favorite locations:

• Belt: Sheaths often come with a holder that can attach to your belt. For best use, place it on the side of your non-dominant hand. If you need to access your knife quickly, reaching your dominant hand across your body will be an easier reaction than fumbling on the dominant hand side. Some belts, such as the Microtech belt, come with a waistband carry option for your knife.
• Ankle: Knives hidden in boots or around ankles are usually lightweight, last-resort weapons. Sheaths may come with a clip that hooks the knife to the inside of your boot. Please ensure this is legal in your state before walking around with it.
• Bag: If you have a bag or pack with you, the straps often have a strap or clip to attach a knife if you want it easily accessible. If you sheathed your knife, you should be able to place it in your bag without worrying about damaging it.
• Neck: This ain’t your grandma’s pearl necklace. A small blade on a chain around your neck can make for easy access and easy concealment.

My knife rattles in its sheath. Is this okay?

If your sheath is large enough that your blade is rattling inside it, you’re probably damaging your knife. Find a sheath that is made for your knife so you can prevent ruining your blade.

What is the difference between a sheath and a scabbard?

A scabbard is a type of sheath, typically for larger blades or swords.

Should I keep my sheath clean?

You will most definitely want to keep your sheath as clean as you can. Any dirt particles that make their way inside the sheath can cause scratches, dulling, or other damage to your knife.

Why don’t knives just come with a sheath?

Many do. Many hunting knives for sale will come with a custom sheath like our Marfione Custom Interceptor Black Warp Fixed Blade knife. It comes with its own Ramos Custom Leather belt loop sheath. Our Tanto Blackwash Serpent Phosphor Green Fixed Blade knife from Toor Knives comes with a Kydex sheath fitted to that exact blade.

Which types of knives need a sheath?

Sheaths are typically for fixed-blade knives. You can handle and transport folding and pocket knives safely while their blade is self-contained, but a holster can still be useful to keep them easily accessible.

Should I keep my knife in a sheath while sitting at home?

Not necessarily. While you aren’t transporting the knife, placing it in a safe place to stay dry and untouched will be better for it than inside a sheath permanently.

The moral of the story is that if you ever plan on moving your knife from one spot to another, you will want a sheath to do it.