Fixed blade Belt carry Tip up vs Tip down

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n7titan

Joined
Jun 14, 2014
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Hey guys Can I get some opinions?
I've searched forever and a day but it seems like I'm in a minority in that it feels comfortable to "belt carry a fixed blade knife, tip up" I've only maybe 4 hits in all my searching.

First I'm not worried about concealed carry, this is a tool first and a weapon last. Plus it's illegal to conceal carry a fixed blade in CA.
Second I want the whole knife and sheath in such a way that I can't take a fall and have it jab into me; above or below the waist. I romp around a lot outdoors and it will probably happen.
Third I don't want to be able to accidentaly cut something if I draw it badly. So blade towards myself (in this position anyway) seems to work.

Thoughts?

(I've posted the same question to youtube, take a look if I didn't describe it well enough)
http://youtu.be/kSiq64NKIJk

L0210246.jpg
 
If I carry one of my knives With good retention on the kydex, I always carry tip up.
It seems easier to unsheath the knife that way, tip Down seems to pull my pants up and that is irritating''
Leathersheath I carry tip Down, because of ease of sheathing the knife after use....
 
Yeah the kydex seems to be very sturdy; I have that paracord in place so it's a secondary retention just in case.
A friend had a few concerns about it though, I'll embed the video.

Thanks for any and all replies.
[video=youtube_share;kSiq64NKIJk]http://youtu.be/kSiq64NKIJk[/video]
 
I carried a Scrapyard Scrapivore like this a couple of times. I didn't use a teklok though. The kydex sheath had a loop of paracord through it for neck carry. I looped this around my belt so that it sat right under the bottom of my belt. Just about the same location as the photo above. It was interesting but I preferred either pocket or lashed to my belt tip down or horizontal.

It looks awkward to carry and draw a bigger knife in this manner. Also, I cant imagine it being very fun to run with where it is. On the side might different, don't have enough grievances with how I normally carry to try.
 
n7titan said:
Yeah the kydex seems to be very sturdy; I have that paracord in place so it's a secondary retention just in case.
A friend had a few concerns about it though, I'll embed the video.

Thanks for any and all replies.
[video=youtube_share;kSiq64NKIJk]http://youtu.be/kSiq64NKIJk[/video]
Click to expand...
Looks good to me. If you end up drilling it for horizontal carry, share a vid or some pictures and your comments.
 
You just need to try it a while and see what works for you. There are lots of people with lots of opinions, yours is all that really matters.

Personally, tip up belt carry seems all wrong to me, but it's a matter of preference.

If you play around with para cord you can open a lot of avenues for alternative carry methods. A knife of that size for use as a tool during hiking makes me think of horizontal carry on the back (look up "scout style knife carry"). It enables for the least encumbrance to movement when carrying a largish knife. Pulling and returning the knife is a little slower, but generally I don't need a quick draw during a hike.

Have fun and try lots of things. No one can tell you what is going to work for you.
 
I ride a motorcycle everyday, and when I do I always wear a jacket. I also carry a fixed-blade everyday. The knife I've been carrying for several years is a Wilson Tactical model25, and it came with a very high-quality kydex sheath. For a while I carried the knife/sheath tip up attached to my belt, and sticking out from under my jacket so that It would be clearly visible and immediately accessible. Before I started carrying in this manner I tested the retention of the sheath by holding it firmly by the bottom, with the knife secured in it, and I shook it very hard trying to get the knife to fall out. The knife never fell out so I decided it was safe to carry it tip up. I never had any problem carrying the knife in such a manner.

I remember on one occasion a total stranger (guy) saw the knife/sheath and asked me what kept the knife from falling out. It was one of the very rare instances in ten years of openly carrying a fixed-blade that anyone ever commented on my knife. Apparently he wasn't familiar with kydex so I explained to him how it worked.

Later on I made a tip down leather belt sheath which I found more suitable for my needs, and that's what I use still.
 
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Good post unit! I agree, paracord is the way to go.

Pancake style sheaths has more options. (not really more, they're just easier) You can loop it around to carry horizontal. Or cross thread it to carry vertical. You can also get funky and try to get a cross draw. I have yet to do that.

All my current fixed blades are taco styled and the horizontal looping seems to go well with it. The other ways are possible but you have to get a little creative because there aren't holes on each side acting as a guide.

Here's how I usually carry. You can reverse it to draw the other way and place it anywhere on your belt you like and it is for the most part out of the way. Longer knives will obviously more noticeable. I've carried an Esee 4 this way but on the small of my back. Pokes out the sides a little but not to bad. YMMV





(That sheet looks purple but I swear its brown. Crappy photographer right here.)
 
The video's a parody, surely. The only way to go for a large fixed (sub)urban edc is horizontal back-of-belt, covered by jacket or by jersey tied around waist. Works for me.
 
benchwarmer380 said:
It looks awkward to carry and draw a bigger knife in this manner. Also, I cant imagine it being very fun to run with where it is. On the side might different,
Click to expand...
Yeah I would not do the same if it was any larger. I think this is my size limit. (Esee-4 overall-9")

If I end up drilling some holes for horizontal I'll definitely post pictures. The kydex seems pretty strong but since I have no experience with it I'm not sure how the extra holes would affect it's strength. Until then I will play around with the paracord to try out new positions. Although right now it makes a simple effective secondary retainer for the knife.


gadunz said:
The video's a parody, surely. The only way to go for a large fixed (sub)urban edc is horizontal back-of-belt, covered by jacket or by jersey tied around waist. Works for me.
Click to expand...
Surely not a parody. Many people don't really consider the Esee-4 to be a large knife. 9" overall it's barely and inch longer than my open folding knives. Also it's not an EDC and I don't care to nor am I allowed to conceal carry. It's strictly a hiking/camping/backpacking tool.

Thanks for all the replies.
 
Tip down looks very uncomfortable (and difficult to draw the knife from the sheath) with even a 4" blade. When I carry a fixed blade outside the woods, I carry mine hoizontal in cross draw position. This is a Bob Dozier Companion (about 3" blade). It is very comfortable and safe. It is not concealed, but nobody ever notices it even with the blue G-10 handles.
 
22-rimfire said:
Tip down looks very uncomfortable (and difficult to draw the knife from the sheath) with even a 4" blade.
Click to expand...

I'm actually able draw it completely while standing as tall as I can; It does scrape the sheath if I do though. I guess like in the video I naturally slouch over a bit to get a clean draw but it's not uncomfortable at all. Standing fully upright my fingertips pass the pommel by and inch and a bit and I'm a fairly sprite guy. The amount of flex in my belt also helps a lot, it allows me to draw in an almost horizontal position. (I should have put that in the video)

I guess it's basically a slightly stiffer dangler sheath that's tip up?
 
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n7titan said:
A basic clip belt from Volcom. Nothing special.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Not really used to such wide belts that one doesn't really use belt loops on, but have been looking into them as I carry a variety of sheath and pouch knives.
 
They're extremely cheap, simple lift to unlock, no holes means infinite adjustment, and since the buckle is just clamping the belt you can swap out for any material that fits. I actually cut my belt short so there's only enough "extra belt" to go past the first loop in my pants. Perfect for carrying gear like sheaths on it since it goes on and off so easily and is expendable if damaged. (This has been my everyday belt for maybe 5+ years? Still good)

Mine has a bottle opener on the back that I used maybe once or twice (cause it's awkward to undo your belt in the middle of a party)
If I need one I got one though.
131_volcom-stone-belt-buckle-bottle-opener-adjustable-web-belt.jpg
e0858156dee7bbd81dfb02165b68ef79.jpg
 
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