In 1933, Rohm and Haas Company, an aircraft interior materials manufacturer, developed KYDEX. KYDEX thermoplastic sheets can be shaped into different shapes in the later part of the 1960s. This can be done by applying heat to the material and molding it around forms.
KYDEX, LLC was established in 1997, just before the turn of the 21st century. It is now commonplace to refer to plastic holsters as Kydex. There are some companies who sell what they call KYDEX holsters but the holsters are not actually made of KYDEX plastic. It is important to understand that not all Kydex holsters are the same, even if they are genuine.
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KYDEX Comes in many Shades
Similarly, there are different grades of KYDEX, just as there are different grades of leather. There are over 40 different kinds of thermoplastic sheets manufactured by KYDEX, each with different properties and costs. In some KYDEX products, recycled/regrind grades of sheet are used to create low-cost, budget plastic. The result is lower-cost, lower-quality thermoplastics that perform less well than higher-quality, higher-cost thermoplastics.
KyDEX sheets are graded based on three factors: thickness, grain, and temperature resistance. A company making gun holsters and knives sheaths will most likely choose KYDEX T or KYDEX 100 sheets. This thermoplastic sheet is highly regarded as the best. In addition to its durability, toughness, and rigidity, it is also chemically and heat-resistant and offers excellent formability.
Different KYDEX Holsters have Different Features
Injection molding is not used in making KYDEX-brand plastic holsters. Due to the fact that KYDEX is manufactured from pure polymers, their extruded sheets do not include blended stiffeners. Whether you slide the gun in and out of the holster several times or not, KYDEX lasts longer than cheaper plastics. KYDEX holsters are made by heating a sheet of plastic and molding it around a form. At the end, the excess is cut off and the finished holster is polished. Making a Kydex Holster is most definitely a labor-intensive process that requires expert knowledge and meticulous quality control, as well as exact temperatures and proper cooling.
The Effects of KYDEX on Gun Wear
Using a holster can cause your firearm to wear and tear. KYDEX holster owners tend to have this problem as a result. KYDEX holsters must be designed to closely fit the weapon contained inside them in order to minimize this problem. It is imperative to apply pressure to the specific areas on the firearm, and only those areas. KyDEX holsters rarely present finish wear when the weapon and holster are matched and shaped correctly.
Final Words
When purchasing a KYDEX holster, you should consider some basics such as what type of thermoplastic material is being used. As with leather holsters, a quality KYDEX holster is a handcrafted product, and as such, is one that shows both in its price and in its performance.
