I'm working on the same problem.
What I'm trying to have built for my 9" range Outsider is a new setup in .090 Kydex whereby the tip is seated but the blade "rolls in" with one edge length of the sheath completely cut away. Retention is by Kydex across the grip at the guard area plus a secondary snap needed mainly because I'm a biker - ordinary use won't need the snap.
So...instead of drawing straight up for twelve inches, you pop the grip sideways and draw the tip upwards one inch, at which point you're clear.
This can *only* work with Kydex or the similar Concealex. I've EMailed a blueprint of the sheath to Spark so you can see what I mean. The other thing I'm contemplating is, instead of a belt loop at a fixed point just do lots of laceholes and tie it with paracord or leather lace to the belt in whatever position you want, vertical, upside-down or horizontal and at whatever vertical level you want. You could also lace it to any width belt and the bulge should be less than a Kydex molded loop.
Jim March
[This message has been edited by Jim March (edited 22 November 1998).]