Drop Leg Sheath for ESEE-4

JGON

JGON

Joined
Mar 12, 2010
Messages
975
Hi All,

Coming from the Northern Hemisphere, cold weather, snow, and all that comes with it is a reality that needs to be respected. These elements play a very crucial role when it comes to the gear selections that I make. The gear I use needs to be tough, which is a big part of why I like ESEE... ;)

One of the challenges that I've faced when it comes to my gear choices when I go out in the bush comes from the need to wear many layers. This inhibits your mobility to some degree, depending on how cold it is and how much snow you are getting. In addition to limiting your mobility, it also means you are going to burn more calories, which means you need more food and more water. You need more insulation to make it through the night, so you are going to need a bigger pack. Fires are going to be more challenging to light, and will need to be larger to provide the warmth needed to make it through the night.

One small little detail that I've been working on mastering is figuring out where exactly my knife should go on my person. The most obvious choice is vertically on my belt in the sheath, but due to the many layers and the large pack with a waist belt, it is often cumbersome to get to it. In the summertime, when I have less clothing and less gear, it's not so much of an issue. But in winter, my knife is harder to access from this point.

I got the idea to try a drop leg sheath, and I recently stumbled across one at a local Army Navy Surplus store. I decided to purchase it, because it was a steal. It enables me to lower the knife on my person about 6-7 inches, and my pack belt and jacket no longer obstruct the knife as I sheath and resheath it. The webbing also enabled me to attach another small M-16 Mag Pouch to it, which easily fits an altoids tin, and also happens to perfectly fit my Stanley Whisky flask... ;)

This is a little more "tacti-cool" than I like, since I'm more of a traditional guy, but it solves a problem that I've been faced with very well. I'm able to run with it on, and my hand at rest on my side is at the perfect level to grab the knife handle.

I don't know much about this company or drop leg sheaths in general, but this one seems to do a good job at solving a problem I've had. It was made by these guys... http://www.specopstech.com/home.html

Now I'm just going to review some posts by Texas Tony Dobbs and others to try my hand at downsizing some of my gear so that I can make a kick butt PSK for my altoids tin and I'll be good to go.

JGON

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Gotta make gear work for you. I don’t think I’d like something down on my leg like that, but you do run in to problems wearing a lot of layers. At that point, I’d be looking at a nice man purse. One thing to note is those MOLLE straps are supposed to be woven in and out of each loop for the most security and stability. Not saying you have to do that, but keep an eye on them wanting to pop loose and work their way out.

Nice post!
 
Hmmmmm very interesting system... We enjoy winter hikes as well so I can feal for ya "layer-problem" :) Same goes for my big "Deuter Aircontact Pro" system which has a very comfortable but big belt on it which makes it kinda hard to use some normal sheath options...

How do you like the "pouch" inside the drop leg holster and whats that black thing in between the velcro? Might be good for some maps or ID/keys, stuff thats thin and shouldn't get lost :D

Besides that the M-16 pouch might be something to carry a Nalgene bottle which comes in the same style of your Whisky flask :p

As soon as my package from Dale arrives I need to start testing some combinations :D
 
Yes, those MOLLE Straps do need to be woven correctly or you will end up losing your knife.

molle%20strap.jpg
 
Love the idea of it, but I don't care for the looks of it at all (it looks way bulky and too militaristic). Like you, my taste leans more towards the traditional. I prefer traditional, leather bushcraft style danglers myself.
 
Not to mention he simply needs to be better color coordinated if he's gonna hang around here with us baton twirlers :D

I mean, gosh, what's the deal with the green and black. That's so clashing....
 
At work most of us have drop leg holster for our m9 for that reason when its cold out we still have good access to our pistol, and they are more comfortable when sitting.

It looks good but are you able to reverse the leg straps so the buckles are in front.
 
R.A.T. said:
Not to mention he simply needs to be better color coordinated if he's gonna hang around here with us baton twirlers :D

I mean, gosh, what's the deal with the green and black. That's so clashing....
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Not to mention with brown shoes. Ugh!

It-th all about the ac-theth-ories.
 
A drop leg knife is fine, but to lash too many items on a drop leg molle panel is a bit much.

You might find yourself walking in circles. :)

Personally, I don't like anything swinging on my leg. I'd sooner wear a molle chest carrier, or a vest.

... and yes, weave those straps in and out through those molles.
 
nice! i actually suggested the same thing (and a molle chest rig) to a buddy of mine. voodoo tactical makes one with quick release buckles on all 3 attachment points...as far as having that militaristic look it's better than dead because of being unprepared.
 
I don't have any molle gear to attach the back to but that pic Jeff posted just saved me a lot of grief and now I actually like wearing it on my belt. I'm deserving of the forum dumbass of the day award. :)
 
Yeah, you really got to get matching colors, otherwise you aren't cool.

I have been thinking about trying something similar for hiking; one to carry my pistol in a Tactical Taylor Lunar and one to carry first aid, fire-making, compass, map and a knife. It would solve a couple problems, but not sure if it will create others (chaffing, discomfort, etc).
 
For guys who are worried about the subload shifting, swinging, chafing, making him walk in circles, etc... Remember, people have been carrying handguns this way without issue for years. I often wear a handgun this way in cold weather or when I have a pack with a waist belt on.

The key to this type of carry is use a drop leg panel that allows the load to sit as high on the leg as possible (as close to the hip as possible). The closer the load gets to the knee, the more it will swing when moving. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to wear the panel as high as possible. If you need some tips on how to modify your current panel to ride higher, let me know.

Wear the leg strap snug. It helps if the leg strap has some elastic in it. If you have the panel high enough, most of the weight will be in the belt and leg strap will basically only be serving to keep the load from moving.

I have worn a handgun this way all day long on multi-day hikes covering 15+ miles a day, countless times on an orienteering course that has some demanding terrain, and all day in 3 day carbine courses. It is a very efficient place to carry a small load.
 
Maybe we should turn this thread into a "How to dropdown" :D

Fine with that JGON?

After a quick research of some internet shops(here in GER) I found these dropdown molle plates as cheapo's for around 15$. Won't be the best quality and might lack of some goodies but they have rubberized leg straps and three fastex buckles: CLICK ME

Same price-point for a M4/M16 pouch so I could get this system for about 30 bucks... Good price for testing because I got no experience with a drop-down at all ;)
 
matthewdanger said:
For guys who are worried about the subload shifting, swinging, chafing, making him walk in circles, etc... Remember, people have been carrying handguns this way without issue for years. I often wear a handgun this way in cold weather or when I have a pack with a waist belt on.

The key to this type of carry is use a drop leg panel that allows the load to sit as high on the leg as possible (as close to the hip as possible). The closer the load gets to the knee, the more it will swing when moving. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to wear the panel as high as possible. If you need some tips on how to modify your current panel to ride higher, let me know.

Wear the leg strap snug. It helps if the leg strap has some elastic in it. If you have the panel high enough, most of the weight will be in the belt and leg strap will basically only be serving to keep the load from moving.

I have worn a handgun this way all day long on multi-day hikes covering 15+ miles a day, countless times on an orienteering course that has some demanding terrain, and all day in 3 day carbine courses. It is a very efficient place to carry a small load.
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Thanks. I have a HSGI rig that I have worn at a carbine class and a couple matches, but that was only one day at a time.
 
I never cared for drop leg holsters. Always felt like walking around with a dog humping on your leg. I understand their uses though (holsters, not humping dogs) and in certain situations and environments I can see where that's the only viable option.
 
I'm working on an outer-belt with a cross strap that would solve that problem nicely for me. My issue is normally carrying a large chopper while wearing a jacket. The cross strap will help take the weight off the hip a bit and won't get in the way of pack straps. :)
 
R.A.T. said:
I never cared for drop leg holsters. Always felt like walking around with a dog humping on your leg. I understand their uses though (holsters, not humping dogs) and in certain situations and environments I can see where that's the only viable option.
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In my case, backpacking and not being able to have anything on my belt. They do feel awkward, though.
During past hikes, I have used the Wilderness Safepacker on my pack belt. It works great until I take my pack off. Also sucks for stream crossing where I like to unbuckle the main belt in case I fall in.
 
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