2 Questions - How do you wear your sheath?

Marion David Poff

Marion David Poff

Joined
Oct 8, 1998
Messages
5,403
Ok,

I have a couple questions, and if you would be so kind, please answer each question, separately, then feel free to add any general comments.

Considering a sheath, for a bushcraft/camping/outdoors knife, in the 3 to 6 inch blade range....

1) What way do you most commonly carry the knife, with a belt loop, a dangler braid, or a D-ring, etc?

2) What other options do you think are mandatory in such a sheath?

Thank you,
Marion
 
Okay, I'll tag along :)

I always carry and prefer folders, but when I do use my fixed blade, it's carried:

1. in a sheath with a belt loop, I prefer leather sheaths
2. Extra options would be to have a pouch for a small stone and/or ferro rod.

I've always found those extra options to be appealing and comforting to have all together.
 
Here goes:

1) I'm right handed, and I like my sheath to hang from my belt on the right side. Most of the time, I wear a Spec-ops survival sheath, which is essentially a drop sheath. Depending on what I'm doing, I'll attach a leg strap (particularly useful when canoeing, as I don't have to worry about the knife handle jabbing me in the side when I sit down). This set-up allows me to carry my primary fixed blade and my Wave.

2) For this particular model of sheath, I like the option of a small gear pouch, and the option to add or remove a leg strap. Also, I'm a fan of two retention mechanisms for the main fixed blade - a form-fitted sheath liner and a retention strap. Finally, and this isn't really an option per se, I like the fact that it's synthetic and durable. This makes it easy to clean.

Other thoughts: Aesthetically, I much prefer leather. I'm really into traditional blades and sheaths. It's just that the above set-up, coupled with a synthetic-handled knife, lets me make a right mess of things, and not worry about permanent damage. I know leather is durable, and I have plenty of leather sheaths. But with my synthetic sheath, I can get the whole thing full of snow, dirt, and pine sap, then let it soak in the sink for an hour to clean it off.

Now, when it comes to my edc knife (which is a fixed scandi with 3" blade), I prefer leather. My knife is kept in a small leather sheath that can be worn on my belt or stuck in the front pocket of my jeans without leaving much of an imprint.

All the best,

- Mike
 
1)Belt loop when worn on my belt. Been wanting to switch to neck carry though.
2) The only option I like is being able to do both carry methods in number 1. For me the sheath is for the knife only.
 
Shotgun said:
1)Belt loop when worn on my belt. Been wanting to switch to neck carry though.
2) The only option I like is being able to do both carry methods in number 1. For me the sheath is for the knife only.
Click to expand...

So, are you saying that you want one sheath that allows both belt carry and neck carry?

M
 
Personally...most of the time I prefer a leather sheath...for it's natural appeal and quietness...that rides somewhat high on my belt on right side. Sometimes though I like my drop sheath for it's quick release ability....and still at other times I like one inverted on a shoulder strap in addition to one of the others. I like a stone pouch or fire steel loop but my main request is possitive retention of the knife.
 
When it's warm, I keep it in its sheath and in my pocket with a lanyard, that's attached to the sheath's belt loop, looped around my belt. I usually don't wear it on my belt because it bothers me, and I keep poking myself with the kinfe when I try to put it back in its sheath. The darn thing's sharp.

When it's cold and I'm wearing a heavy jacket and I'm using the knife, I'll throw the lanyard around my neck.
 
I don't like huge knives, so I pretty much just belt carry. There are two exceptions, and I have the same solution.

When backpacking, I can't wear anything around my waist because of the pack. In colder weather, layers of clothes makes getting to my knife on my belt a pain in the butt. I have never been a huge fan of neck carry, so for both conditions I use a paracord baldric that I made.

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B
 
For me, it really depends on the activities we're doing (backpacking, day hike, bouldering/rock climbing, etc.).

Without a pack's waist belt, I usually carry on my strong (right) side; if I'm carrying a gun, I'll where a cross-draw sheath for the left side. I actually like wearing a horizontal cross-draw sheath (ala Bear Grylls:p) and have found it quite comfortable and easy to access. I've recently been wearing a Spyderco Perrin Street Beat in the same horizontal location and it's quite comfortable.

With a pack's waist belt, I either go with a baldric setup like Brian mentioned or a dangler sheath to get the blade below the waist belt.

Another option for smaller fixed blades is a good vertical (upside down) sheath...Kydex for me...that can be worn in a MercHarness.

I usually prefer leather that's been waxed heavily making it pretty hard; makes re-sheathing easier. I'll used Kydex if the sheath design/system is comfortable...they really make one-handed re-sheathing easier.

Several different options as I think you need to find a carry system/sheath that fits your activities and one that you find is comfortable.

ROCK6
 
I always have a knife that size on my belt through a belt loop, no flexible danglers for me.

I like my sheath to be firmly attached, and not flop abound.

I also like the sheath to stay put when I draw the knife, many flexible mounting systems let the sheath move too much when I pull the blade out.


That said, I also often carry a larger knife on a Baldric type set-up. I usually carry it in a right hand draw sheath on my left side and use two hands to unleash the large tool.




Big Mike

”Scaring the tree huggers.”

Forest & Stream
 
I like kydex or leather carried on my right hip, vertical through the belt. I like the sheath to be tight to the body. The thing I hate more than anything else is when the knife in the sheath makes clackety noises when you are walking - happens with alot of nylon sheaths.
 
Big Mike said:
I like my sheath to be firmly attached, and not flop abound.

I also like the sheath to stay put when I draw the knife, many flexible mounting systems let the sheath move too much when I pull the blade out.

Big Mike

”Scaring the tree huggers.”

Forest & Stream
Click to expand...

Yeah - those things bother me too.
 
Although I have numerous traditional sheaths, no custom ones, my favorite is a mountain man style worn in the small of my back on it's own belt. I will attach bags to this belt as well. Worn outside of my coat in the winter it is easy to get to. I will sometimes carry a knife around my neck. Downside to carrying a larger knife across the small of the back is if you fall backwards, kind of hard on the spine. Hasn't happened yet.
 
1: In many cases I clip the sheath to a carabinar attached to a sling running around my waist.
This is especially good in case of putting on and taking off cloths many times.
For light everyday choir like cooking within my house I put the sheath into my right hand side pocket of my pants.

2: Can attach a firesteel won't be bad but I prefer thing to be as simple as possible.
 
I put a dangler on my B.G. Andrews bushcrafter sheath because I like both, depending on what I,m doing. I use the dangler if I,m working around the house and yard,getting in and out of the pickup a lot. Sitting down and getting up etc. If I'm hiking, hunting,in the woods and need to be quieter it goes through the belt loop on the sheath. 550 cord baldric in the winter--KV
 
1. I prefer to use a dangle loop during the warmer months, then I convert to baldric in the cold (because I wear more clothes)

2. I prefer a deep pouch, with either a liner or a substansial weldt. I never really use a firsteel loop, but I dont mind if they are there.
 
1) What way do you most commonly carry the knife, with a belt loop, a dangler braid, or a D-ring, etc?
For a 3" knife, or shorter, I carry horizontal, with loops or paracord around my belt.
For 4-6" knives, a drop loop sheath such that the pommel of the knife is even with the top of my belt.
For long 10" inch knives, a baldric.

2) What other options do you think are mandatory in such a sheath?
Nothing is mandatory. I like a pouch and/or firesteel loop on some, but it doesn't bother me if the sheath has neither.
 
I really like the double belt loop pancake style leather sheaths that ride high and hug close to the body. I like leather that retains its natural rich brown color. Be sure to ask the customer if the sheath will ride left or right on the body. After my surgery I prefer to carry on my left side now.

The sheath should be kept simple, clutter free, perhaps with some embellishments to dress it up
 
Mostly a small fixed blade gets carried around my neck, easy access from either hand.

The knife must be tight enough to not just fall out but not so tight that it takes two hands to use it.

If I carry a longer knife I use the type of sheath that has a snap flap over the handle of the knife, I make these tight enough to not rattle in the holster but easily pulled out with one hand.

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I didn't read the other responses so I may be repeating, but with my small Dozier fixed blades and Fehrman Peace Maker I really like the sheath carried horizontal just left of my belt buckle -- very comfortable and convenient. The Fehrman PM is pretty close to max for this carry.

Bigger than that (4"-7") and it's standard belt carry -- left or right depending upon what else is on the belt. I do have a Koster Bushcraft in a dangler and at times that is the way to go. It really depends on what else I'm carrying.
 
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