Birth Of A Helle's Belle

so if you aren't going IWB, your shirt or cover garmet must be pretty long?

I carry in a very similiar way, but nothing quite so long. Just wondering how to really conceal the length of the blade, especially with an extra inch or so of sheath...
 
i carried my HB thru the winter months iwb. the oal of knife and sheath is 17 1/4". i can't comfortably get away with it with just a t-shirt so i carry something else during the warmer months. i can actually conceal it under just a t-shirt but if i bend over to tie my shoe or something the handle prints pretty badly. you might have better results than me.
 
Summer is togh but as Mike showed it can be done. But the rest of the year and even summer nights I wear a long sleeve fishing shirt the kind that dries easily they are very light and cool and dry quickly. Worn open over a tshirt it covers the knife sheath very well and this is not iwb this is just thru the belt same placement as in waistband but on the outside of pants. This is the most comfortable way to carry. I am only 5 ft 7 but i weight over 180 pound so i wear extra large shirts which tend to be a bit longer on me so it works well.
 
Knife in the picture sequence is an Ontario Frontiersman with an 11 1/8" blade. We used to nickname them "Bagwells-on-a-budget" because of the blade shape and price. Handle is shorter than a Belle's, so LOA works about the same for concealment. Anytime you are going to carry something that long concealed, IWB is the way to go. As you can see, shorts and a t-shirt. Easily done once you find your sweet spot. You can't pick it - you must find it by experimentation. We'll define that as where you can carry the knife, move and sit naturally without the knife kicking out the back and printing. Your drawstroke will be another factor in determining sweet spot location and edge orientation. Joe draws reverse grip, I draw forward grip, and Bill Bagwell draws cavalry grip. We've all got different body types - different strokes for different folks. Sequence was just stand up and draw, and is a lot quicker than you'll believe. Smooth is fast. Just for the record - I'm 5' 9", 160 lbs.
 
Thanks guys, I'll revisit this and try with some longer blades. Longer looser shirts will probably be a must though, as right now I have a hard time with a 12" o/a not printing when I bend over.

Unfortunately in East Texas, summer stays with us about 9 months each year, lol. Sweating is a part of life most of the year.

I do love to carry IWB at 4 oclock, reverse grip draw, with a very slight forward cant on shorter blades.

I'm assuming you guys carry another sheeple friendly utility knife for mundane cutting tasks in front of other people?

Great thread BTW...
 
xaman said:
I'm assuming you guys carry another sheeple friendly utility knife for mundane cutting tasks in front of other people?

Great thread BTW...
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if you need a knife for utility purposes i think it is a must to have a smaller "friendlier" blade so you won't cause a stir. i always carry a Vic. sak huntsman.
 
You guys impress me with your commitment to carrying the blades you love best.

I know carrying a fixed blade isn't nearly as easy or simple as a folder. The best I have been able to manage is a blade that's just under 6 inches.

Mike: Thanks for all the pics!
 
that is one heck of a knife, i love the look of it with stag handle. does bill make these for public?
 
LWFOWLER said:
that is one heck of a knife, i love the look of it with stag handle. does bill make these for public?
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Bill does not think the stag handled HB's are the way to go but he has made more of these for customers and will take orders for them

My email is JParanee@aol.com send me a note and I will get you his contact info
 
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