Backpackers: how do you carry your fixed blade and psk?

I carry a small, light fixed blade as my EDC, with a quick release dangler. I can dangle it off of my beltloops, my belt, or anywhere else on a pack or my clothing that I can attach a string to.

I don't really have a PSK, but my goody bag rides in my pack, where I can quickly grab it if I want to walk away from my pack.

I have carried a knife inverted with a mercharness style rig before, and it works well as long as the knife isn't too heavy. I just picked a long loop of paracord, twisted once to make a figure eight, then put it on like backpack straps. I played with the length until I was comfortable, then trimmed it to length and tied a simple overhand knot in the middle of the figure eight to lock it in place. Then it was easily put on. I also sometimes wore it around my neck using the same loops, which worked out to a convenient size.

How big is your PSK going to be? Is it an altoids tin type setup, or is it more of a full blown kit?
 
baldtaco-II said:
"Montani semper liberi -- mountainmen are always free."

Likes that.
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I don't mean to be picky and I don't know much latin, but it but I'm pretty sure it means "Mountaineers are always free". Its our (WV) state motto.

Man I love this state!

Brandon
 
DocCanada uses an old leather belt as his baldric. Keven Estela has a tutorial thread on a wrapped paracord braid that you can use. I've used an old camera strap for one too (padded and comfy). All that failing, a simple piece of paracord does just fine. Particularly if you have a collared shirt.

No belt loops on your pants? Get some man pants for the outdoors and leave the gangsta baggies at home!!!!!!!
 
kgd said:
DocCanada uses an old leather belt as his baldric. Keven Estela has a tutorial thread on a wrapped paracord braid that you can use. I've used an old camera strap for one too (padded and comfy). All that failing, a simple piece of paracord does just fine. Particularly if you have a collared shirt.

No belt loops on your pants? Get some man pants for the outdoors and leave the gangsta baggies at home!!!!!!!
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Is there a link for Estelas tutorial?

And I can assure you they are not gansta baggies! The REI convertible pants have a built in lightweight webbing belt.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll have to try the baldric out and see how it works this next weekend. I've had a mercharness, but didn't like it for larger knives. The baldric seems quick and comfortable.

I don't want to bulk up the knife much by adding a psk to it, so I'll have to get creative with it!
 
peripatew said:
And I can assure you they are not gansta baggies! The REI convertible pants have a built in lightweight webbing belt.
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I understand - I was just playing with you. Its one of my pet peeves with a lot of the quick dry pants out there. They are great but lacking in belt loops and that has become something I've grown to look for specifically before buying pants - I do love nylon fabrics and prefer them to cotton.

I'll try to find the Keven Estela linkage a later tonight. It is just one of those wider braids (four strand) flattened braids that people use to make the paracord wrist bracelets, just braided longer for baldric carry. I think boondoggle has the same pattern up on their site. I used a three strand hair braid type for mine and then a small carbiner to link it together through the belt loop. It doesn't lay as flat nor is as pretty as the other braid but it is comfortable and works. The baldrics work even better with a kydex sheath in handle down hang configuration but are good with vertical belt carry leather (upright) also.

Good luck. Part of the fun is just playing around to see what you like. Don't get too carried away in how it looks - thats where most people get all hung up.
 
kgd said:
I understand - I was just playing with you. Its one of my pet peeves with a lot of the quick dry pants out there. They are great but lacking in belt loops and that has become something I've grown to look for specifically before buying pants
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+1, I have REI quickdry type pants too, but the lack of proper belt loops doesn't get it a lot of use. I've since got a couple of 5.11 Taclite pants that absolutely rock my socks off. :thumbup:


Yeah, sounds like the baldric is the best solution in your case. The only thing that annoys me with baldrics is that every time I bend down, the knife comes swinging around. And they tend to rub on your neck if you aren't wearing something with a collar. They are very convenient though, and I love being able to put it on over layers :thumbup:
 
Since I have to use a walking stick off road, I often tie a bigger knife to the staff. I keep the EDC on my belt or in a pocket.
 
kgd said:
I understand - I was just playing with you. Its one of my pet peeves with a lot of the quick dry pants out there. They are great but lacking in belt loops and that has become something I've grown to look for specifically before buying pants - I do love nylon fabrics and prefer them to cotton.

I'll try to find the Keven Estela linkage a later tonight. It is just one of those wider braids (four strand) flattened braids that people use to make the paracord wrist bracelets, just braided longer for baldric carry. I think boondoggle has the same pattern up on their site. I used a three strand hair braid type for mine and then a small carbiner to link it together through the belt loop. It doesn't lay as flat nor is as pretty as the other braid but it is comfortable and works. The baldrics work even better with a kydex sheath in handle down hang configuration but are good with vertical belt carry leather (upright) also.

Good luck. Part of the fun is just playing around to see what you like. Don't get too carried away in how it looks - thats where most people get all hung up.
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yeah the quick dry pants i have (columbia and guide series) doesnt have standard belt loops and it sucks..
 
rksoon said:
+1, I have REI quickdry type pants too, but the lack of proper belt loops doesn't get it a lot of use. I've since got a couple of 5.11 Taclite pants that absolutely rock my socks off. :thumbup:


Yeah, sounds like the baldric is the best solution in your case. The only thing that annoys me with baldrics is that every time I bend down, the knife comes swinging around. And they tend to rub on your neck if you aren't wearing something with a collar. They are very convenient though, and I love being able to put it on over layers :thumbup:
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i was checking those 5.11 pants out and dang i like em... do they dry fast and feel well built?? comes with a free belt as well.. not too shabby!
 
hung-solo said:
i was checking those 5.11 pants out and dang i like em... do they dry fast and feel well built?? comes with a free belt as well.. not too shabby!
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Haven't been soaked in them yet, but water spilled on it dries pretty quickly :thumbup: Definitely feel well built, without being too heavy. Very sturdy pants, I wouldn't hesitate to get down and scramble around in em. The pockets are nicely laid out, there's a spot for everything if you like that sort of thing. And lastly, they're just comfy. I can move around in them easily. I have to say, one of my best outdoor gear purchases ever :thumbup:.

The belts are ok if you have nothing else already, both of mine sitting around collecting dust...if anyone wants em, let me know.
 
rksoon said:
Haven't been soaked in them yet, but water spilled on it dries pretty quickly :thumbup: Definitely feel well built, without being too heavy. Very sturdy pants, I wouldn't hesitate to get down and scramble around in em. The pockets are nicely laid out, there's a spot for everything if you like that sort of thing. And lastly, they're just comfy. I can move around in them easily. I have to say, one of my best outdoor gear purchases ever :thumbup:.

The belts are ok if you have nothing else already, both of mine sitting around collecting dust...if anyone wants em, let me know.
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nice.. the belts are supposed to be sturdy enough for sidearm carry. atleast thats what they say.. one last question about the pants. are the bottom pant legs at the cups large enough to fit over boots without bunching up?
 
I can't PM or email you, so I'll just quickly answer here (sorry for drifting, peripatew!).

The bottoms are large enough to fit over my hiking boots, but my recollection is that there isn't much room to play with. I think they could be a little wider, but I have to put em on again to double check. Seemed fine to me though, for the most part.

IMG_4601.jpg

IMG_4707.jpg
 
Here's my solution, similar to others... I attach my PSK to my backpack, you can see it on my left shoulder strap. I carry my larger knife on a baldric, it's hanging on my left side, you can just see it.
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This one's a little closer up:
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Andy
 
rksoon said:
I can't PM or email you, so I'll just quickly answer here (sorry for drifting, peripatew!).

The bottoms are large enough to fit over my hiking boots, but my recollection is that there isn't much room to play with. I think they could be a little wider, but I have to put em on again to double check. Seemed fine to me though, for the most part.

IMG_4601.jpg

IMG_4707.jpg
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ah i see thanks bud! ill have to jerry rig them (making a slice to open up the bottom, fold and sew)........ maybe.. sorry to hi-jack OP
 
I don't want to look stupid, but how secure is that dangling sheath/ tip up carry, especially with all of the jarring of a hike? Has anyone had a knife slip out of it's sheath?
 
akula83 said:
I don't want to look stupid, but how secure is that dangling sheath/ tip up carry, especially with all of the jarring of a hike? Has anyone had a knife slip out of it's sheath?
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obviously you want the knife to be tight fitted in the sheath. i neck carry my izula most times i fish and it gets slung around and etc..never fell out
 
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