Do you carry the Ronin for EDC?

KBR

KBR

Joined
Feb 12, 2002
Messages
1,525
Today, I got the urge to try out a fixed blade for EDC. The problem is....I don't have one. :( Sooooo, within the next couple of weeks, I plan on ordering a Ronin and using it for my EDC.

What I'm curious to know is....is it comfortable for vertical belt carry? Can anyone post some pics (horizontal and/or vertical) of this Spydie on your belt? What about some opinions on its' usefulness for EDC?

I know that there are different carry options for the Ronin, which really appeals to me more...on belt for work, around my neck for home and nonwork edc or vice versa. :) Man, I'm anxious to get it!
 
I find the Ronin quite comfortable for belt carry, and when wearing an untucked shirt, sometimes wear the sheath for a downward draw. One advantage of the downward draw is that when someone bumps into the sheath, they feel a squared top, and are not spooked, seeming to think it is a cell phone. I also temorarily rigged one sheath for an angled downward draw using a large Tek-lok, as an experiment. My first Ronin is rigged for neck carry. Yep, that is three Ronins! :) The Ronin is still not quite EDC for me, as my Glock and Gunting are my EDC combo, but the Ronin is a good backup, especially with certain clothing. When I retire my badge, and the pistol is no longer EDC, the Ronin will stand to increase its role to EDC, as concealed fixed blades are legal in Texas, whereas there are quite a few places where a pistol permit does not allow a pistol to be legally carried.
 
I've carried a Ronin daily for about six months. The VG-10 steel and blade geometry allows it to cut like a light sabre. And the straight cutting edge makes it a breeze to sharpen. I bought mine for utility and have cut kydex, rubber, wood, leather, fiberglass, styrofoam, steak, chicken and ham. I LOVE this knife, although, I sometimes wish it had less of an aggressive look to it. It looks scary and I don't want my non-knife friends thinking I'm a phycho.

I should also mention, as much as I like the blade shape, it doesn't work for everything, so I also carry something with a little curve-- usually a BM 940 or SAK.

As for carry-- I ground down the kydex on the sheath so it just fits the knife. Nothing extra. (The sheath is no longer suitable for neck carry. The Ronin is too heavy/big for neck carry anyway, IMO) I drilled my own holes for the tek-loc and carry the knife in the upside down position with a slight cant toward the rear so my hand falls naturally on the handle. (It's always covered by an untucked shirt or jacket, although I live in an area where it wouldn't matter.)

I'd like to get an extra sheath or two from Spyderco so I could have multiple dedicated carry options without having to change the position of the tek-lok. Anyone know if Spyderco will sell replacement sheaths?
 
Here in CA, fixed blades have to be belt-carried. The Ronin sheath is well-designed for neck carry, but is too bulky for me for belt carry. I've been thinking about either cutting the sheath down a bit, or else getting a much smaller foldover sheath from Survival Sheath.
 
I've got a "normark" sheath on mine, got the knife in a trade with eric... :D

set it up for horizontal to right(riding the front left belt) last night... moved it this morning when I got home and got to my other clip(g-clip instead of tek). IWB on front/right. Deep clip has the blade fully below the pantline, leaving handle exposed.
 
Really appreciate the replies, fellas. The more that I read, the more that I want it! Soon, very soon....:D

Originally posted by Rex G,
...as concealed fixed blades are legal in Texas, whereas there are quite a few places where a pistol permit does not allow a pistol to be legally carried.
Click to expand...

Rex, can you direct me to the actual state law? I'd like to make a copy of it to carry in my wallet.
I carry a copy of the Texas law on the legal blade length limit, just in case I am ever asked why I carry such a big knife(my Military). :rolleyes: Thanks!
 
The Texas penal code does not actually state that concealed FBs are legal, it just does not state they are illegal. Of course the FB must not be a dagger, dirk, poniard, or Bowie, or exceed 5.5 inches in blade length. All the weapons laws are in the same section of the penal code, which I do not have handy here at home at the moment, but if you need the "chapter and verse" I can post it later. Oddly enough, in Texas, a FB is is some ways more kosher than a folder, since the penal code prohibits switchblades and knives that open by gravity or centrifugal force, and some police officers interpret this to mean that any knife that can be flicked or "popped" open by inertia is illegal. There has also been at least one arrest in Texas for an assisted-opening folder, and I believe that case is still pending. And, in San Antonio, folding knives with blades that lock in the extended position are in violation of a city ordinance! :(
 
Originally posted by Rex G
The Texas penal code does not actually state that concealed FBs are legal, it just does not state they are illegal. Of course the FB must not be a dagger, dirk, poniard, or Bowie, or exceed 5.5 inches in blade length. All the weapons laws are in the same section of the penal code, which I do not have handy here at home at the moment, but if you need the "chapter and verse" I can post it later. Oddly enough, in Texas, a FB is is some ways more kosher than a folder, since the penal code prohibits switchblades and knives that open by gravity or centrifugal force, and some police officers interpret this to mean that any knife that can be flicked or "popped" open by inertia is illegal. There has also been at least one arrest in Texas for an assisted-opening folder, and I believe that case is still pending. And, in San Antonio, folding knives with blades that lock in the extended position are in violation of a city ordinance! :(
Click to expand...

Rex G, I am very very new to this, so I am sorry ahead of time if this is wasting your time. But, the next time I'm in Texas, it sounds like I am better off leaving all my folders at home. Is this right? I always thought Texas was more "knife friendly".
 
Me Joemook, Texas is actually very knife-friendly. I was presenting some worst-case stuff there. Even in the Houston-Galveston urban monstrosity of cities, a pocket folder clipped into a pocket rarely gets a second glance. If a knife has a blade of over about 3.5 inches, it will draw attention, and any fixed blade worn openly will probably draw some attention among the hoplophobes, but legal is legal, and the gray areas to avoid would be the assisted openers and anything that can be opened by gravity, which does include butterfly knives, and any knife with any portion of the back edge sharpened. A folder with a blade that will fall free of the handle with only a small amount of effort is also probably a bad idea. I cannot think of any folder in the Spyderco line that would violate Texas law, except for the upcoming butterfly design. It is of course possible to be hassled by a peace officer or security guard who is ignorant of the law, but that can happen anywhere. When traveling, it is always a good idea to print a copy of the area's weapon laws, and carry it with you. One factor strongly in favor of folders is that some places that screen for weapons will let small folders inside, but might balk at any fixed blade. For San Antonio, of course, to be legal a person must either carry a slipjoint folder, a FB, or one of the folder designs such as a friction folder that does not lock the blade in the extended position.
 
Thanks for the info about San Antonio, Rex. Didn't know about that city ordnance AT ALL
pat.gif
. I'll be sure to remember that the next time that I head out that way.
 
I believe the San Antonio ordinanace is rarely enforced, unless the knife carrier is doing something suspicious or stupid to attract the attention of police. It was first passed in 1959, in the era when switchblades were being outlawed. It is of course a city ordinance, punishable by fine only, although it is possible that the police officer could take a person to the jail to be booked, and the person held until a bond is posted, to ensure the person either shows up for court or forfeits the amount of the bond. It is still on the books, for sure, however, and according to a posting on another forum, was updated the the 1980's. There was a funny loophole, however, because the city ordinance bans folders UNDER 5.5 inches in blade length, while state law prohibits knives with blades OVER 5.5 inches, so it seems that a folder with a blade EXACTLY 5.5 inches in length would be legal in the Alamo city.
 
What does EDC mean? In Pennsylvania it is very knife friendly and a CCW permit is almost instant,I think the state knows that no cop can protect me better than me.
 
I carry my Ronin on occasion. I typically carry in the horizontal positon and have found it easy to access. The knife is so small, that even with an untucked shirt, it is hard to spot. I like the size and ergonomics of the knife and it performs very well. The thinner stock and flat grind make it an outstanding cutter.

I did a review of the knife when I received it sometime last year.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=267060&highlight=spyderco+ronin+review

Great knife, highly recommended. The Perrin and Temperance are good if you like IWB carry.
 
Thanks, EZ. I plan on ordering/getting one here pretty quick since I wasn't able to trade for one. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top