Carrying fixed blades in public.

Keith Montgomery

Keith Montgomery

Joined
May 9, 2000
Messages
29,205
Do you wear your belt carry fixed blades in public? I do and I sure do get a wide range of reactions from the people that I meet. Some really are interested and ask if it is all right to see the knife. Some people just look, others give me a dirty look and still others will comment with somthing like, "What do you need something like that for?".

My job is in audio/video sales and so as not to make people uncomfortable I tend to wear pullover style shirts to work. The people I work for don't mind that I wear a fixed blade as long as I don't make it too obvious.

I do enjoy it when I run into fellow knife enthusiasts, but sometimes I would just like to slap some sense into the people I encounter. I know that I should not be surprised by the ugly reactions I sometimes get to my knives, but there are times that I wish I lived where having a knife on your belt is an accepted part of your attire.

By the way, the knives I wear all have blades of 4 1/2 inches or shorter. I could just imagine the reactions I would get if I wore big bowies.

So what say the rest of you fixed blade carrying city dwellers?
 
Well, I don´t live in a big city but in a small town in Germany, a country full of sheeple, an open fixed blade sure would draw a whole lot of unwanted attention. As if Mr. and Mrs. "I´ve-never-seen-such-a-big-knife-before" didn´t use SAKs, kitchen knives or probably even an axe in the garden to chop some wood or fell a tree.

I prefer fixed over folder and I carried a fixed blade (Herbertz Badger) cocealed in the small of my back (I modified the leather sheath it came with) for some time. It´s overall lenth is about 9 1/2 inches.
But I would not have carried it openly, just because I wouldn´t have wanted to explain to everybody I talk to why I carry a knife.

Now I either take a folder (CRKT M16-03Z) or a neck knife (CRKT Neck PECK). As I mentioned, I like fixed blades very much, but IMO a folder is a bit more comfortable than a neck knife for EDC.
Folders are relatively low profile and neck knives are usually tiny. Doesn´t scare sheeple too much when I´m cuttin´ a box or cleanin´ my fingernails.
 
I carry small fixed blades around San Jose, CA. almost every weekend. My current urban fixed carry rotation is a Benchmade 145HS, a Darrel Ralph ALB, Neil Blackwood small hunter, Mad Dog Baby Mako, a David Boye hunter, and several Fred Perrin La Griffes. I have been doing this for a couple of years now, and I have gotten only one comment from a parking attendant at a mall who saw my Blackwood hunter and exclaimed, "That's a weapon!". To which, I replied, no it is not, it is a tool. I have carried openly everywhere else that people go in a city with virtually zero notice from anyone that I could detect.
 
The California Law on a fixed blade is that it cannot be carried concealed. When I go hiking or camping I typically carry a fixed blade with a blade of about 5 inches and I haven't been questioned about it. I try to make sure it is not concealed even if I am wearing a jacket or sweatshirt. At other times (e.g. to work) I mainly carry a folder on my belt and don't get questioned. It can be covered by clothing and often is covered. Occassionally I will wear one of my small (about 3" blade) fixed blades in public (not hiking or camping), just because I like them, but being small they are not very noticeable even though they are not concealed. :)
 
Heck yes, I carry fixed blades. Although I don't carry them on my belt all that often. I prefer static cord and pocket carry and it works. I absolutely hate IWB fixed carry, I'm always being pinched or poked in some way.

It wasn't until last weekend at the Guild Show that I finally realized I should be carrying fixed blades more often. A discussion with one particular individual convinced me that knives that "bend" aren't nearly as practical as a lot of the small, concealable fixed blades that many makers are offering.

So, from that point on, I've been carrying my fixed blades regularly. If you must know what they are, you could probably guess and be correct. Snody's of course!!:D
 
Yup, I carry my Allen Blade MEUK out and about. I do get a few looks, but no one says a thing about it. Well, my family does, but it is the usial "isn't it illegal to carry that", or "what is the blade length limit to for carrying?". Strangers, though, don't say anything.

But I also don't want to scare anyone, or push my knives in anyone's face. I don't like people who get tattoos or piercings or whathaveyou just so they can "pick fights" with peopel who stare. I don't carry in the hopes that someone will comment on my knife in a negative way, so that I can get int heir face and call them a sheep and such. I usually put the tip of the sheath of this 4" blade in my pocket. It helps keep the knife right where I want it, and it is a little more subtle too.

I am all for carrying "fixed folders." if you peer at my avatar knife, that is one I make called a Magic Knot Knife, or Magic for short. I have a new one almost done; it will be done in a couple of days. The blade length on the new one is about 4", fully flat ground, mirror finish (not perfect, but I am getting better), nice green micarta scales, magic knot wrap which adds some great color accents, mosaic pin, etc. I like making Magic Knot Knives because they are easy to carry and are pretty in what I think is an intriguing way. They won't scare the sheeple as much as my MEUK, which looks a little more "armyish".

If concealed carry were legal in Canada, I'd probably carry something bigger. But my MEUK, and Magic Knot Knives are plenty big for the chores I do, and the lock is about as reliable as you can get! :)
 
when i'm in the home or going to places where the folks there know me (such as privately owned restaurants or hardware stores) I have no qualms about carrying my BK7 on my belt. I wear open-style shirts that darn near conceal it anyway (all you can see is some of the sheath sticking out). I tend to avoid carrying my BK7 to places like McDonalds, the Bank, or the local Jewel.
I have considered about 20 times a day breaking down and buying a Spyderco Moran Drop point that I can just horizontal carry and pretty much fully conceal so I can just carry anywhere I want, but I never convince myself to do it.
I've also been known to carry my Mike Cooper custom neck knife in a belt sheath to a WIDE variety of places (you simply can't tell i'm carrying it unless I pull it out), i've even carried it in the hospital :)
 
Hi,

I carry Fred Perrin Streetbowie somewhere in my waistband (using static cord) or in a harness under my arm.


Sometime it's a Nimravus Cub also in the pocket.
or my my chisel flat ground drop point Lagriffe!!


cheers,

JM
 
Most of my fixed blades are modified to use a chain as a static chord, and the sheaths Kydex or leather are usually stuufed in my back pocket, I don't usually get any stares cause my fixed blades are outa site.:D
 
I used to carry, but ever since 9/11 I've noticed that I was getting a lot of evil stares from people including L.E.O.s and I figured that I'd be better off carrying a pocket knife. Which I do. The media has made such a big deal out of sharp objects being used to hijack the jets and that they are no longer allowed, that I think people are naturally associating knives with terrorism. It's getting to the point that the sheeple (read as majority of population) will give up their Constitutional rights for a little implied and imaginary safety. I'm thinking this is a very dangerous time for our country and our Constitution.:(
 
Being a New Yorker, carrying a fixed blade is a little questionable. Especially after 9/11. I do carry a small fixed blade IWB. I also carry a folder to use for normal day to day chores.
 
My EDC is a small fixed blade. I have modified the sheat so it and my Leatherman Pulse can fit onto the belt together. You can hardly see it and it works awesome. I wish I had a digicam.
 
I'm getting a horizontal belt sheath made for my La Griffe, which hopefully will look like some kind of ornament when it's on. Very small knife and it will be exposed.

Expecting a Greg Lightfoot C-4, which happens to have the same handle to blade size ratio as one of my favorite paring knives, so I hope that I will be loving this blade big time when it comes. Only 3" blade. I will definitely be finding some way to carry this puppy in my area.
 
I realize it's getting more & more popular to call the general public "sheeple", but it looks to me like the "sheeple" are herding quite a few people around..so maybe it's time to reevaluate who the "sheeple" really are, just so everyone is clear on who's who...

Some would do well to remember that next time they want to start feeling all superior and labeling someone else as a "sheeple"...

Just my opinion..
 
I'm actually quite suprised to see so many thus far carry fixed blades in public. I thought most only did this for camping and hiking. I would carry one...but I'm just too scared of the attention from the general public...
I think I'd probably have it taken away from me within the first few hours of carrying it.
 
It's pretty funny you asked that Keith. I've started collecting fixed blades myself, I just love 'em.

I also wear them out in public here in Vancouver. I've worn everything on my belt from a small 3" Michael Cooper "cajun wharncliffe" to my newest acquisition, a Robert Hankins 8" Bowie.

So far the only reactions I've received have been "Cool, can I see?", I haven't noticed too many people even noticing my knives - even the Bowie - and I've been looking.

I *love* taking my knives out in public, and I do so daily.

Pierre
 
My BlackJack Small gets a decent amount of carry on the weekends. That back-pocket sheath fits perfectly in my 501s. I personally don’t think that a single person has ever even noticed the knife, much less commented about it. I also carry my Mini-Talon from time to time. No big fixed blades.

I have an email in to Bob Dozier, as to whether he’s ever designed a Kydex pocket clip sheath for his fixed blades. I’d like something I can slip into my front pocket at work, and a Dozier is certainly an excellent working knife.

I also plan on ordering a fixed blade from Jens Anso before the year is out. Those Personal Sheepsfoot knives look perfect for public fixed blade carry.
 
Originally posted by BOK
I'm actually quite suprised to see so many thus far carry fixed blades in public. I thought most only did this for camping and hiking. I would carry one...but I'm just too scared of the attention from the general public...
I think I'd probably have it taken away from me within the first few hours of carrying it.
Click to expand...

Why would a knife be taken away from you in public? In Canada it's perfectly legal to carry a fixed blade of any size unconcealed. Just a few hours ago I went to the mall here in North Vancouver, to HOK and WalMart specifically, with my new bowie strapped to my belt. Not a word.

I've carried this bowie to the corner store, video store, and just walkin' in Kitsilano.

I've worn fixed blades down to the beach (not the bowie, yet). I've worn fixed blades to the movie theater, restaurants, all over the place and I've had no troubles whatsoever.

Go for it, just don't wave the blade around and you'll be fine.

Pierre
 
I live in a relatively rural town about 40mi. N. of San Francisco. No one notices a small fixed blade (blade up to 3.5" or so) on my belt and I wear one around town a lot. This used to be a ranch/farming community and there are still enough ranches around here that people don't notice a small knife. I've even walked into banks and the local post office without anyone paying much attention.

When I work in SF though, I switch to a folder IWB. Technically, the fixed blade would still be legal, but I believe in blending into my background, and there's no way a non-concealed fixed blade would blend in such an urban setting.

California law is very specific. You can carry a fixed blade on your belt <b>unconcealed</b>. If you pull your shirt over it, or leave a tuckable shirt untucked to cover it, you've concealed it! OTOH, if you wear a jacket that happens to cover the knife, that's OK... Fixed neck knives worn under anything are definately out, as would be any kind of wrap around knife, belt buckle knife, etc.

When I go camping, I carry a 5" blade, again unconcealed, on my belt, pack, or thigh.
 
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