Carrying your fixed-blade while hiking

T

Tigershark

Joined
Sep 30, 1999
Messages
9
As a first time fixed-blade owner since about a week ago I was wondering how most people carry theirs in the outdoors. Do you proudly display it on your waist, keep it concealed on your body somewhere or just store it in your backpack?

I do mostly day hiking and so far I've been keeping it in my backpack as to not alarm others. I would like to just carry it on me attached to my shorts/jeans but wonder if people would panic or perhaps get offended by it.

I know this sounds stupid but I really am curious how you carry your fixed-blade when hiking. Thanks.

------------------
Tigershark __/\_
 
I usually hike with a ka-bar strapped to the outside of my pack lashed to one side. Rapid deployment isn't the consideration on the pack. I keep a can of bear pepper lashed to the front of one of the straps however. Waist carry of a knife is inefficient with the hip belt of a backpack. If I am in a situation where I am not carrying a backpack, i.e. hunting, the knife gets strapped to my leg.

------------------
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of the tyrant; it is the creed of slaves.

William Pitt, 1783

 
While you're in the outdoors I think people generally keep an open mind regarding other's gears. I carry a Spyderco Moran on my belt. It's a little knife with a burgundy leather sheath. I don't think it frightens too many people. If I see a situation that may require me concealing my knife, I would conveniently pull the shirt out of my pants and cover the belt knife.

Also it helps if your clothes readily identify you as an outdoors sportsman, not a gangbanger.

[This message has been edited by tallwingedgoat (edited 06 October 1999).]
 
Take a look at the current issue of Backpacker Magazine. The primitive survival instructor on the cover carries his cheap lightweight fixed blade on a thong hanging around his neck.

A low-ride dangler sheath hanging from the belt also stays out of the way.


------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
I keep a simple SOG Northwest Ranger on my belt. It isn't too large to alarm and takes care of most tasks. I like to have easy access to my knife, not have it dictated by a pack or other piece of equipment. -Krumbs
 
In the woods I carry my knife as most other hereabout do - on a belt sheat on the side of my ruling hand. Because I mostly use Lapp-knifes of different sizes this means that the sheat is free hanging. The pommel is just below belt line.
 
Its usually ok to carry a sheath knife on your belt. However, you may want to check local park regulations to ensure your in compliance. Also, I tend to carry my fixed blade in my pack - not so much because of what others might think - but, because the sheath rig tend to interfere with the backpack waist strap and vice versa. Use common sense and try to avoid upsetting the sheepel (you and six buddies wearing camo and facepaint with large blades conspicously strapped to your bodies will draw unfavorable attention).

As with the carry of all potential weapons (firearms, knives, walking sticks, physical size, etc.)the key is to avoid situations where you might inadvertantly assault another person. For instance, using a Busse BM to prepare kindling for your camp fire is very different from openly brandishing a knife every time someone walks towards you on the trail.
 
I carry my CS GLK attached on my belt (left side). This is in case I am gong into deep forest hiking. In case of ordinary walking through the woods I take Gerber Appelgate-Fairbairn attached same way or to backpack. There is always a Fiskars axe by side of backpack.

Kurdy.
 
Battle Mistress in a homemade kydex sheath strapped to the side of my pack and a large Sebenza clipped to my pants pocket. When I make camp, I transfer the BM to my belt.

-Greg
 
Depends on the place and the conditions. Generally, a larger knife [over 7 inches] strapped to the pack[I have my sheaths made to accomodate that];a smaller fixed blade on the belt[if possible,behind the back carry, but that depends on the pack];and if the pack or the circumstances won't permit comfortable belt carry, a neck knife or, second best: a folder. Surprisingly, even in the field there are people who are shocked[or amused] by large knives, but anything with a blade length of about 5 inches, like a puuko, seems to be acceptable. Frankly, I don't care much what people think, as long as the constabulary isn't alarmed.
 
It all depends on where Im hiking...If I expect heavy vegetation or just don't know what to expect I take My CS GLK and carry it openly on my belt. If vegetation is sparce I will carry a Mid-size fixed blade such as the CS SRK, Ka-bar, or Spec-Plus MC. Alternately if Im worried about appearing "PC" I'll carry my CS Vaquero grande. Of course Im always carry my trust BM 910. Generally in most outdoor areas a big knife isn't going to draw attention....if it does...SO WHAT! If your w/ in Laws and Regulations who cares what the Sheeple think of your knife.
 
I can't believe so many people are concerned with what other non-knife people think about your gear. I personally couldn't give a rats butt what anyone but me thinks. I carry whatever the occasion calls for, if its big who cares. Its these non-knife tree huggers who when lost in the wild and are starving will be wishing they had a knife for survival reasons.
 
I've just started carring a battle mistress i covered the sheath with elk hide to help quite it down when going through brush while bowhunting and make it look alittle less milatant when hiking i always pack a gun when hiking to many cougers and crazys these days.
 
When I am hiking, I just leave the FB inside of my backpack.

Belt carry always seems to be in the way of the backpack's waist strap, and leg carry...well, that might have a chance of alarming sheeple as would strapping an M-16 on your back would.

------------------
I need a bigger bucket.
 
James,

I'm always concerned about the Sheeple. Not because I personally give a rats *ss, but because there are enough of them to change the rules on us if they want to. So, unless you are willing to face metal detector and a 2" blade limit in our national parks in the future, I would suggest we go out of our way a little to ensure that sheeple are as happy and relax as possible.

Yes such a future would stink, and falling on your favorite knife is something we would all probably consider. But, I'll like to preserve as much as I can for my kids; and, and if that means meeting these people half-way today I'm willing to do it.



[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 06 October 1999).]
 
Many years ago I carried a large knife strapped to the outside of my backpack with the tip up and a SAK in my pocket. Belt carry just ended up being impracticle with a hip belt and handle-up carry on the pack got hung up on brush. I tried putting the big knife in the side pocket of the pack, but it just didn't "feel" right to me. Now I carry a small Sebenza anytime I go to the field with a SOG power pliers in the pack and leave the big knives at home.

Take care,

Mike

------------------
TANSTAAFL


 
I worry about changes in public perceptions and policy as much as anybody, but I think that we need to keep knives in view rather than out of view. For centuries no reasonable person would venture into the wilderness without a knife. A knife is part of absolutely minimum survival equipment. I think that you should never display yourself on a trail without a sheath on your belt.

Now your "showing the flag" knife should be of moderate proportions. A Buck 110 or a 5" hunting knife is about right. You should criticize anyone who is out in the woods without at least an SAK and a cigarette lighter. Evangelize rather than be inconspicous. Tell people that a knife, a lighter, and a plastic drop cloth should go with them whenever they are out of town on the trail. We need to emphasize that we are "normal" and "wise" and they need to prepare themselves for mishaps.

And always go out of your way to help the knifeless. Make kindling, make skewers, make walking sticks, cut tangled cords... Always tell people that they should have an SAK or something.
 
Take a look at this:
http://www.agrussell.com/agrussell/agdh-34.html

The swivel-clip, as shown on that sheath, is easily my favorite way to carry in the outback. When I put it on my belt loop, it swivels out of the way when I bend or sit down, instead of sticking me. I can take it off my belt loop without removing my belt, and re-clip it onto my pack straps, so anyone in my hiking party can grab it. I can clip it to the top of the tent at night, etc.

I ordered my new camp knife, the TTKK, with a removeable swivel-clip sheath option also. I just can't see heading to the outback without it!

 
I appreciate all your opinions. Next time I go out I'm going to wear it on my waist and see how people react. Where I mostly hike is around the Santa Monica Mountains because it's so close. Surrounded by Los Angeles it isn't exactly a remote location but it does cover a lot of area.

I'm shocked when I see people on the backbone trail with hardly anything on them and crappy shoes. It doesn't take much to get hurt out there, see a snake or occasional scorpion. I just hope the few moutain lions remaining see my knife and stay the hell away
smile.gif




------------------
Tigershark __/\_
 
Well, I don't know if this is for everybody, but this summer I did some of my hiking with a 10" Black Cloud fighting bowie in a cross-draw sheath slipped onto my pack waist belt. Nobody I passed jumped off the trail, ran off screaming, or sent a ranger after me, so I guess nobody thought I was too scary a maniac. It wasn't a particularly comfortable or convenient practice, and I will be experimenting with better solutions for my new Y2K Camp Knife. I am thinking of it as a self-defense as well as survival tool, so I want it to be very accessible and won't be strapping it to my pack anywhere where I can't reach it quickly. Would like to get it off my belt though, as I like to carry a small fixed blade too.

Hey, I'd carry my Black Cloud Short Sword too if I could figure out a way to make the scabbard sling work with my pack.
smile.gif
I'm a little crazy, but I'm harmless, and I have a lot of fun.

Harv
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top