Custom Conealed Car Claw Carry

Joined
May 5, 1999
Messages
3,065
For some time I have been toying with the idea of a way to carry a legal fixed blade in my vehicle in such a way that it would be easily available if needed but inconspicuous. After looking at several designs, I got a plain edge CRKT Bear Claw from 1SKS. This small but adequate design has an excellent quick-release sheath and a handle which, while very secure-feeling, looks almost nothing like a weapon, or even a knife handle for that matter. I then approached Matt Draper (a.k.a Waxes Eloquent, custom Concealex craftsman extraordinaire) to see if he could turn my idea into reality. I must say his work exceeded my wildest expectations. He devised a Custom Car Claw Carry system in which the knife falls readily to hand without looking, and can be easily and unobtrusively unsheathed. The fastening system Matt devised and created places the standard (and well-made) CRKT quick-release sheath close to the driver's seat, attached to the console by a heavy-duty Concealex backing plate which is rock-steady but can be easily installed or removed without tools. Thanks to its design, color and location, the entire rig is almost completely inconspicuous from even a few feet away. Thanks, Matt - I love it when a plan comes together!
biggrin.gif
.
Berk

[This message has been edited by Berkley (edited 05-13-2000).]
 
Nice set up. But to me it looks EXACTLY like a weapon. If I were to pull you over and saw that, I would probably ask to see it. (Slowly, sir!) Hide that sucker under the dash.
 
I'd agree with that being a pretty nice set up, but it looks (with that curved and rounded handle and shiny finger ring) like a small gun. If its legal to stash it under the dash, I'd go there as well. Just out of curiosity, is it the plain or serrated version?
 
'Course, if you pulled me over you would be at the driver's door, and my all-too-ample midsection would be blocking your view of the knife, whose handle is below the level of the seat cushion. But if you did ask to see it, I'd be happy to show you my emergency seat belt remover
smile.gif
.
I considered an under-dash location, but that would have required drilling holes, and would require a fairly obvious movement of my hand forward and up for deployment. In this location my hand simply drops to the side of the seat cushion.
After looking at the pics, I realized the bright tang and ricasso were still relatively conspicuous, so a judicious application of cold blue has turned everything a uniformly stealthy grey-black.
Berk
 
Berk,

Fun project! Actually, I feel this needs to be said, you cannot see the handle from the driver's side, and you can't really see it very well from the passenger's side. The pics had to be taken at up-close and odd angles just to see it. I took a couple of pics from the passenger's and driver's sides, but you couldn't see the knife or holder at all when I did!

Anyway, it's perfectly legal in this state, and would work very well as an emergency seat belt cutter (even though it's the plain edge, not the serrated).

Matt



------------------
Waxes Eloquent, Leader of the Terrible Ironic Horde and Mighty Brain Spewer
Waxy's Custom Concealex Page
Waxy's Custom Shirts for Concealed Carry Page
Waxy's Coveted Knives Page
 
That's almost exactly where I do carry a knife now. But mine is lower into the seat so it is less obvious to onlookers or potential thieves, and it helps to make it easier to draw, for me. So far I haven't needed a custom sheath because they draw just fine, but when my present chariot dies [it's not very well now] I may need one, and a custom sheath would be better than moving my knife to another location. Having the knife handy is absolutelty necessary if you need to cut a belt or smash a window. Chances are you won't be able to lean over, pop the console or glove compartment and retrieve the knife that was put away so as not to disturb the delicate sensibilities of the constabulary.[no offence intended, occifer]. The last thing I would want for self defence purposes is to put a knife closer to the passenger than to me.
Carrying a knife in the car should not be against the law, but it may be depending on your intent and the intent of the local constabulary and the Court in your area. A sticker like this on your bumper wouldn't help: "Cut me off, make my day"
smile.gif
 
I am using a method I saw in Tactical Knives.I have a Newt Livesay WOO hanging from a length of black paracord that is anchored by the turn signal stalk and run over the top of the steering column.It hangs just below the gear shift lever.The only tip off from the drivers side is if the paracord is spotted running over the top of the steering column.I have`nt been pulled over since I placed the knife there so thankfully that aspect of it has not been tested.I have had passengers in my truck and have yet to have anyone comment on the knife.The location is very convienient to my right hand and is out of the way.

------------------
~Gordon~
 
I gotta say, that set-up makes it look shockingly
eek.gif
like a J-handled S&W, from the driver's side. Good thing it's low enough that it can't be seen readily. All the same, if I had that set-up and were stopped by a policeman, I'd move my hand very slowly in proximity to that thing.

It is a really neat set-up, though, and almost makes me want to buy one of the CRKT Claws myself.

------------------
iktomi
 
Back
Top