Best Option for Semi-Concealed Carry?

Cheimison · Sep 23, 2004

I just bought a SOG SEAL Pup knife and I was wondering if anyone could recommend where to carry it for semi-concealed carry. It doesn't have to pass a patdown or even a serious look, but it shouldn't be too obvious that I'm carrying. I can't figure any feasible way to get it to fit in my boot with the sheath it comes with (I wear Altama Jungle Mil-Spec), and it shows below my shirt if I wear it on the belt.
Should I:
1. Get a smaller sheath and do boot carry
2. Get leg straps
3. Get across chest straps (Kabar army style)
4. Get another sheath for inside-waistband carry
5. Something else altogether?

I should note that I wear loose hawaiin shirts so I could reach under and draw the knife reasonably quickly from a chest-sheath position.

Knifeclerk · Sep 24, 2004

Welcome to the forums. I would say that first thing to do is to get a new sheath. I don't know if they have changed them too much recently, but SOG fixed blades (and I love their fixed blades) come with some terrible sheathes. I think the SOG Seal has been improved, but I'm not sure really. Drop $35, get a sheath made custom for it. Then it may fit in your boot or whatever.
I recomed this before getting any leg straps or what have you, because the sheathes really are bad. Even if you do end up having to get extra accessories, at least your knife won't be dulled all the time from pulling it out and putting it back. (For this reason, I will advise against handle down carry right now.)
-KC

Tok · Sep 24, 2004

On/Scene Tactical or Survival Sheath Systems should fix you up well. Both are top notch shops to deal with.

Cheimison · Sep 24, 2004

Knifeclerk said:
Welcome to the forums. I would say that first thing to do is to get a new sheath. I don't know if they have changed them too much recently, but SOG fixed blades (and I love their fixed blades) come with some terrible sheathes. I think the SOG Seal has been improved, but I'm not sure really. Drop $35, get a sheath made custom for it. Then it may fit in your boot or whatever.
I recomed this before getting any leg straps or what have you, because the sheathes really are bad. Even if you do end up having to get extra accessories, at least your knife won't be dulled all the time from pulling it out and putting it back. (For this reason, I will advise against handle down carry right now.)
-KC

It's an obnoxiously large Kydex. It's handy because it snaps in, but it's also a bit of an excercise to tug it back out.

Normark · Sep 25, 2004

Hey Guys...

TOK..
Thanks again for the Ref.

The OEM sheath, although perfectly suited for outside the pants carry, and pretty much a standard sheath in the industry,, is very large, and nearly impossible to conceal...

I do make an aftermarket IWB rig for the Seal Pup if you are interested. A good concealed carry knife in this type of rig...

Feel free to drop me a note...

ericn@mnsi.net

Thanks again..

Eric...

Colinz · Sep 25, 2004

4. Get an IWB sheath.
And watchout for that kraton handle. It is sticky (of course!) which means there could be trouble if you rub the handle with, for instance your elbow. Once I dropped a Perrin FB in a coffee shop because of the sticky rubber on the handle. It sucks to hear that "cla-kling" sound knowing exactly what it was... with 5-6 sheeple sipping their petit lattés around you.

/Colinz

wetdog1911 · Sep 27, 2004

I really don't know how this would work for your particular knife, but it's easy to check. I wear my smaller Busse's (5" and under) in a behind the belt type of rig (leather) that works very well for the type of concealment you're talking about. Basicly the knife is stuck behind or through the belt on the weak side with the handle lying flat against the side of the belly and the tip coming out just beyond the side pocket. Like you used to do playing pirate when a kid. I wear loose shirts (untucked) both at work and outside and it conceals the knife enough to satisfy the CCW laws down here. In fact, the knife is pulled so snug against the body from the belt it prints very little and most people aren't even aware it's there. The easiest way to see if it will work is tape up the edge so you don't job yourself and slide the knife between your belt and pants. If it doesn't poke out too far anywhere (tip or handle), you're good to go. Much more comfortable than a IWB for me at least.

Rob

Roodog · Sep 27, 2004

I find that I can comfortably carry big kydex sheaths by attaching to the inside of a jacket. I have a Cold Steel Peacekeeper (come with the biggest damn kydex sheath Ive ever seen) I wear it on the inside of a pea coat held in place with six strong safety pins, left side, handle down (Im a righty)
Ive done the same with a denim jacket, doesnt work so good in the summer thought.