Leather vs. Kydex wear?

baddarryl · December 26, 2014, 03:39 PM

All things being equal, what wears a finish more?

mete · December 26, 2014, 08:01 PM

I have to put my 2 c in here . Kydex has gotten somewhat a bad rep for scratching and wearing finish .Dirt and grit can imbed into the kydex.This is what scratches the finish./ Clean the kydex regularly.

**JohnKSa** · December 26, 2014, 09:46 PM

In my experience, kydex causes more wear than leather. mete is correct that it's actually dust/grit embedded in the kydex (or at least on the surface of the kydex) that causes the wear, but from a practical standpoint there's really no difference. In my experience it's not really possible to clean kydex often enough to keep it from wearing a gun more than leather does with virtually no cleaning.

AK103K · December 26, 2014, 11:43 PM

Ive found that kydex only wears the finish at the specific contact points, where leather wears the finish more overall, and contact is greater. The guns I carried in leather holsters, usually showed a more over all, washed out look, and rust was always an issue.

Ive also found that kydex is much easier to clean (simply rinse under the tap and dry with a paper towel), and doesnt seem to hold/embed things as bad as leather does, with is why I think you see the finish seem to fade so much more with the leather holsters.

Then there is the moisture and rust you get with leather. Kydex is pretty much impervious.

This is my old Commander that was used daily in a Blade Tech kydex IWB, for about 10 years. The black streaks are actually mirror polished hard chrome. The rest of the finish for the most part, is in real good shape, and shows little wear.

This gun was originally a nice Colt blue when new, and only lasted about a year, when carried in the same conditions as the Blade Tech, but in a couple of Galco Royal Guards. Once summer set in, and I started sweating heavily, it rusted badly, and quickly.

I had it hard chromed and Blade Tech showed up right about the same time. The only rust issue after that, was just some very fine, powdery type rust around where the inboard grip contacted my body. If you look close, you can still see some around the grip at the safety.

Water-Man · December 27, 2014, 12:17 AM

I've experienced more wear with Kydex.

December 26, 2014, 03:39 PM	#1
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,683	Leather vs. Kydex wear? All things being equal, what wears a finish more?

December 26, 2014, 08:01 PM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	I have to put my 2 c in here . Kydex has gotten somewhat a bad rep for scratching and wearing finish .Dirt and grit can imbed into the kydex.This is what scratches the finish./ Clean the kydex regularly. __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

December 26, 2014, 09:46 PM	#3
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,986	In my experience, kydex causes more wear than leather. mete is correct that it's actually dust/grit embedded in the kydex (or at least on the surface of the kydex) that causes the wear, but from a practical standpoint there's really no difference. In my experience it's not really possible to clean kydex often enough to keep it from wearing a gun more than leather does with virtually no cleaning. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 26, 2014, 11:43 PM	#4
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	Ive found that kydex only wears the finish at the specific contact points, where leather wears the finish more overall, and contact is greater. The guns I carried in leather holsters, usually showed a more over all, washed out look, and rust was always an issue. Ive also found that kydex is much easier to clean (simply rinse under the tap and dry with a paper towel), and doesnt seem to hold/embed things as bad as leather does, with is why I think you see the finish seem to fade so much more with the leather holsters. Then there is the moisture and rust you get with leather. Kydex is pretty much impervious. This is my old Commander that was used daily in a Blade Tech kydex IWB, for about 10 years. The black streaks are actually mirror polished hard chrome. The rest of the finish for the most part, is in real good shape, and shows little wear. This gun was originally a nice Colt blue when new, and only lasted about a year, when carried in the same conditions as the Blade Tech, but in a couple of Galco Royal Guards. Once summer set in, and I started sweating heavily, it rusted badly, and quickly. I had it hard chromed and Blade Tech showed up right about the same time. The only rust issue after that, was just some very fine, powdery type rust around where the inboard grip contacted my body. If you look close, you can still see some around the grip at the safety.

December 27, 2014, 12:17 AM	#5
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I've experienced more wear with Kydex.