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Post by RTF Squared on Sept 28, 2014 4:24:54 GMT
After owning a pair of these knives with the factory sheath for a combined 6 months, I finally got a good sheath design together. The factory sheath is a pretty lame unit. Gripes include: loose retention on the knife. Bulky for the size of knife it holds. The clip quickly looses up, causing the knife to fall off the belt or stay on the knife when drawn. Clip slides along the belt, causing inconsistent draws. Obstructs the choil of the knife, making for a poor grip on the knife when drawn. I actually lost my first TDI, sheath and all when it fell the fuck off my belt while working on a car in the junkyard. Poof, gone, just like that. After buying my second one the design below finally came to me. It's called the RAPTOR sheath, an acronym for Rapid Access Pokey Thing On Ready. It's ambidextrous, angle adjustable and allows for vertical and horizontal mounting to the belt. The kydex sits flush with the choil, allowing for a full fighting grip inside of the sheath. Retention is vastly improved over the factory sheath. It retains the factory sheath's thumb push, which was the factory sheath's only upside. It is about half the size and occupies half the belt space of the factory sheath. The factory sheath places the knife's center of gravity above the belt, causing it to lean forward and print. The single pull-the-dot loop is much more secure than the factory clip, despite being a fraction of the weight and size. Advantages over other custom sheaths: Smaller footprint. Vertical or horizontal mounting Adjusting cant doesn't affect carry height. Drawing doesn't require a heavy lurch to free it from the sheath, simply use the thumb push.  Single pull the dot loop  A single hole on each side of the thumb push allows for ambidextrous mounting. The choil and scales are completely unobstructed.  Mounted at a cant angle similar to the factory sheath. |
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Post by redeyes on Sept 28, 2014 5:17:29 GMT
Pimpin. Can you give us a ballpark price or is it just better not to?
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Post by RTF Squared on Sept 28, 2014 5:46:48 GMT
 Mounting the loop through a rivet allows for horizontal carry  This increases mounting angles and positions infinitely.  The sloped angle of the mounting point makes the sheath push closer to the body for better concealment. Pimpin. Can you give us a ballpark price or is it just better not to? Sure can, we'll likely be sitting in the $40 dollar price range. More details on this soon. |
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Post by RTF Squared on Sept 28, 2014 6:09:06 GMT
 My current favorite carry method with the RAPTOR. It is slung "Hybrid IWB," sitting between the belt and the pants. Carry position at 11 o'clock, with the grip oriented vertically and the choil flush with the belt. The IWB loop is mounted through the 1.25 inch belt loop hole despite being on a thick 1.5 inch belt. This allows for a very snug interface with the belt, preventing sliding. This position allows for very rapid access with both hands.  I don't want to toot my own horn too hard, but this sheath is highly innovative and makes the factory offering look like child's play. It is night and day better for comfort. I hate to overuse the phrases "could forget I'm wearing it," "it just disappears" and "gamechanger," but these are highly applicable. I've been scoping the offerings on other plasticsmiths for some time, and nobody is offering anything nearly as compact and versatile. Part of the reason development took so long was coming up with something truly unique that nobody else was making for a knife everybody makes something for. This takes the TDI to another level for carry comfort and quick deployment. I've been drawing the shit out of it and now that I found the perfect carry position I can get this thing out stupid fast. |
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Post by homerj on Sept 28, 2014 6:49:45 GMT
That is awesome! I had my reservations on how the stock sheath would carry but this makes the point moot I may need to get one of these.
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Post by RTF Squared on Sept 28, 2014 7:16:42 GMT
The factory sheath definitely sucks. I'm still pretty bummed I lost my first one due to the clip falling off my belt. I used it for EVERYTHING too. RIP Black Plain Edge, we had fun times together! Attachments:
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Post by red on Sept 29, 2014 1:56:54 GMT
Well yet another thing i want. But first i will have to do a re handle on mine. Im trying to find a set of say S&W revolver grips to replace the factory handle.
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Post by omegaman on Sept 29, 2014 15:31:33 GMT
Just ordered a TDI because of this. I hate you.
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Post by RTF Squared on Oct 2, 2014 18:19:28 GMT
Well yet another thing i want. But first i will have to do a re handle on mine. Im trying to find a set of say S&W revolver grips to replace the factory handle. Why are you getting new grips done? If you do the custom route I'll need the knife sent my way so I can get a RAPTOR together for you. |
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Post by RTF Squared on Oct 2, 2014 18:20:20 GMT
Just ordered a TDI because of this. I hate you. Sweeeeeet. What color/blade configuration did you get? |
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Post by omegaman on Oct 2, 2014 20:13:57 GMT
Just ordered a TDI because of this. I hate you. Sweeeeeet. What color/blade configuration did you get? Eh, lapg only had black in stock (ok, I'm a tan fanboy), but thankfully it's a straight edge. Reckon I'm 'a gonna need one 'dem fancy sheaths 'o yers. |
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Post by nxp on Oct 3, 2014 1:42:14 GMT
Just ordered a TDI because of this. I hate you. Yup, this will be the catalyst to get me off my ass and buy one. Home run on the sheath, dude. |
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Post by omegaman on Oct 3, 2014 21:27:50 GMT
I now haz TDI. Need wicked-awesome sheathage.
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Post by homerj on Oct 4, 2014 20:28:22 GMT
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Post by omegaman on Dec 7, 2014 2:51:17 GMT
Hasty review: RTF's raptor sheath is 'da shit! Sooooo much better than the factory sheath. I will be raving about my new RTF kydex over the next few days, but for starters 1)buy a ka-bar tdi 2) order a RTF raptor sheath 3) enjoy your perch atop Mt. Olympus amongst the gods of wicked awesome gear.
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