Hello, Chicahiro, I haven't seen you around in a while.
I have no idea what the rules about concealed carry of a blade might be in your part of the world, but have you considered a BladeRigger shoulder holster (or whatever they call them) carry arrangement for a knife. They make a harness that fits over your shoulders and to which you can attach a sheath made for your particular blade. The knife hangs with its hilt down and there is a small belt that tethers the sheath to your pants belt, giving stability to the system. I believe that they use Kydex sheaths with a moulded locking device at the hilt end, similar to that on the Spyderco/Moran fixed blade sheath, to hold the blade in the sheath. I have read that you can carry quite large fixed blade knives in this manner, up to and including Bowie knives. I would not use one in my state, as it would be considered a concealed weapon that is not covered by Virginia's "Shall Issue" CCW law. In that regard, it would likely be easier to get a permit to carry a handgun than a fixed blade knife in a concealed mode.
With the exception of the City of Richmond, I don't think that there are any real limits on blade length for a folder, but you need to take care not to be seen brandishing it in a threatening manner. I have not tried, but, given that you may legally carry a handgun openly in most jurisdictions in Virginia, I should think that carrying a fixed blade openly would not be too much of a legal problem. Where it would get sticky would be the reactions of those around you when they noticed that you were carrying it, and that would depend upon what it appeared to be. If it looked big and mean, then you would trigger hostility, but if it was relatively small and/or subdued in its appearance, then you would be more apt to be accepted.
As to open carry in an inobtrusive manner, I believe that Mike Sastre at River City Sheaths can make you Kydex and/or Concealex sheaths that will fit between your belt and your pants or even inside the waistband of your pants, leaving only the hilt of the knife showing. This was a very common manner of carry in the days of the Bowie Knife and it remains an effective manner today. I have read that both he and Bill Bagwell carry Bill's Hell's Belles Bowies in that manner and that they do so without causing undue alarm among the natives. Considering just how big a Hell's Belle is, that is testimony to the effectiveness of the mode. If you must carry a large knife as an EDC, this would be my suggested way to go in any mode of dress.
