Concealed fixed blade EDC?

S

sja2249

Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
174
I have decided more than once over the years that it might be a good idea to EDC a fixed blade. In order for me to do so, it would have to be concealed. I've bought a few knives with this thought in mind, but I always seem to have trouble finding a comfortable/concealed way to carry them.

I suspect that the biggest problem is that I'm a little overweight. I'm pretty much rounded in every dimension. I can't carry a fixed blade horizontally at my waist because it sticks out too much. Vertically at my waist is not much better. My preference is to carry near my waist. The best I've managed so far is to strap a CRKT sting to my calf.

My choices for fixed blade EDC are:

CRKT Sting
Fallkniven G-1 Garm
Benchmade Nimravus Cub

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
sja2249 said:
I have decided more than once over the years that it might be a good idea to EDC a fixed blade. In order for me to do so, it would have to be concealed. I've bought a few knives with this thought in mind, but I always seem to have trouble finding a comfortable/concealed way to carry them.

I suspect that the biggest problem is that I'm a little overweight. I'm pretty much rounded in every dimension. I can't carry a fixed blade horizontally at my waist because it sticks out too much. Vertically at my waist is not much better. My preference is to carry near my waist. The best I've managed so far is to strap a CRKT sting to my calf.

My choices for fixed blade EDC are:

CRKT Sting
Fallkniven G-1 Garm
Benchmade Nimravus Cub

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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If you are a bit overweight, how quickly do you think you can get to a knife strapped to your calf? You did state "calf" and not "ankle" or "boot", right?

How about just wearing a neck knife and get away from that uber-tactical ninja stuff that never works in the real world?
 
Lower calf? I figured if I was resorting to a knife on my calf then the time for quick draw was long past and I was probably laying on the ground anyway. I never said I was morbidly obese, I can bend over in a reasonable amount of time.

I've never had any luck with neck knives, either. They are uncomfortable and they tend to be obvious.

I never had any intention of being a mall ninja. I cannot legally carry a firearm where I am currently working. I thought a fixed blade might be a reasonable substitute while I'm at work.
 
Neck knife still seems the closest to both hands and easiest to reach.
 
I would suggest a Gerber Guardian BackUp as an option in the moderate to low price range. This is the same model designed and made by the Gerber Legendary Blades of old. It is extremely concealable. I had one that I found to be very handy, and useful in spite of the dagger blade. Up the price range you should check out Daniel Fairly's Legal EDC, which is very advanced and effective design. I don't have mine yet, but I've been impressed by his offerings and the comments in the Forums.

You might find both these models comfortable for waist carry and general use.
 
Well, it's certainly more comfortable to wear. I tried it a couple of times and it's pretty obvious under pretty much every shirt I own. Admittedly, I only tried it with the G-1, but that's the smallest one anyway. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
How about the bark river necker, swamp rat warden or even izula in your front pocket with a quality pocket sheath?
 
The closest fixed blade knife and sheath design that I feel remotely comfortable carrying is one made by Bob Dozier with his horizontal kydex sheath. His horizontal sheath fits very close to the belt and unless you have a large knife, it doesn't stick out or does very little. His sheath design is very fast. My choice right now is the K-42 Compact which is a 2.5" bladed sheepsfoot design with G-10 handle. Dozier's canoe model is another one that would work nicely. I do tend to think in terms of small fixed blades for EDC
 
CWL said:
If you are a bit overweight, how quickly do you think you can get to a knife strapped to your calf? You did state "calf" and not "ankle" or "boot", right?

How about just wearing a neck knife and get away from that uber-tactical ninja stuff that never works in the real world?
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+1

I recently tried this for the first time and have not carried any other way since trying. I like it a lot and no mater what I am doing I can get to my blade quickly and easily (not that I ever need it quick...but its nice to not have to make 5+ movements to get to my knife).

Concealed under the shirt, or open carry on the outside (which is great because people see the knife and there is zero surprise when it comes out of the sheath for friendly use). You might be surprised how much the presentation matters for non-knife people...
 
Get Alan Davis to make you one. He does all sizes of knives and may be able to fix you something that you would like. Plus with him you get to pick the design, steel, handle, size,ect. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
You can get something like a Becker BK14 or a Fred Perrin neck knife. One is a utility and the other more for SD, but designed for necker carry. Plenty of other styles & price points put there.

Unless you wear skintight t-shirts, most people won't even notice, and the ones who do, typically aren't curious enough to guess what you've got under your shirt.
 
How much experimenting have you done with different waist line carry positions? I'm a big guy myself and I comfortably carry a fixed blade IWB vertically. I am right handed and I found a very comfy spot at about the 4 o'clock position. It took some trial and error to find the 'sweet spot' for comfort and if I move the knife forward or back even just a couple inches it can become uncomfortable. Maybe you've tried every position already, but if not, some more experimentation might yield a satisfying result.
 
I'm not too happy with my Sting, I found the blade to be needlessly heavy for its size and the handle isn't very ergonomic or provide much real estate for a good grip.

Have you tried just carrying a light knife around your neck? Something like a Folts Minimalist, also from CRKT (or you can get the custom from him, which will be around $100). That thing is super light. Replace the stock chord with a bead chain and you're good to go.
 
Stereo Joe said:
How much experimenting have you done with different waist line carry positions? I'm a big guy myself and I comfortably carry a fixed blade IWB vertically. I am right handed and I found a very comfy spot at about the 4 o'clock position. It took some trial and error to find the 'sweet spot' for comfort and if I move the knife forward or back even just a couple inches it can become uncomfortable. Maybe you've tried every position already, but if not, some more experimentation might yield a satisfying result.
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Same for me. I edc an Izula 2 every day, at 4 o'clock. I found it to be the best position for me, both for comfort, and concealment.
 
Stereo Joe said:
How much experimenting have you done with different waist line carry positions? I'm a big guy myself and I comfortably carry a fixed blade IWB vertically. I am right handed and I found a very comfy spot at about the 4 o'clock position. It took some trial and error to find the 'sweet spot' for comfort and if I move the knife forward or back even just a couple inches it can become uncomfortable. Maybe you've tried every position already, but if not, some more experimentation might yield a satisfying result.
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4 o'clock is where I carry my pistol. I'm hoping to carry the knife somewhere else. I don't think any of my current sheaths are IWB compatible... I might be able to rig up something with the Sting. I'll have to take a closer look at the Nimravus sheaths.

Thanks.

Sam
 
sja2249 said:
4 o'clock is where I carry my pistol. I'm hoping to carry the knife somewhere else. I don't think any of my current sheaths are IWB compatible... I might be able to rig up something with the Sting. I'll have to take a closer look at the Nimravus sheaths.

Thanks.

Sam
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I see. I CC my j-frame iwb abdomen. Maybe look into kydex and making your own sheath that accomodates both pistol and knife. Ive seen them used with success. Just an ideal.
 
What about pocket carry? I wear tight jeans every day but I can carry good-sized things in my pockets. A long object sits in my pocket at an angle and isn't a problem when I sit down. I've thought about a FB knife in my pocket and I think I can go to 6.5" overall length without a problem. A 3.5-3.75" handle is sufficient so that still leaves almost 3" available for blade. Now I need to find something that fits those limits. TOPS makes 3 or 4 that might work, all for under $100, such as the UTE.
 
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