Handle Down Carry

V

Vinjints

Joined
Feb 23, 2015
Messages
173
So I don't remember what knife I was researching, but some thread (maybe on BF), some time ago sent me looking for the Becker-Necker. From there I settled on the 14, before finally buying the 24. Handles followed shortly after. To date, the 24 stays in my bag and goes wherever I go. I still carry a folder and SAK in my pocket, but the 24 is always with me right next to my multi.

I have never thought about carrying this, or any other knife, around my neck. But I am interested in trying to attach it point up/handle down on my bag's shoulder strap. I figure it's small enough that I shouldn't get too many goofy stares if I'm outdoors, and can simply take the knife out, into a second sheath, and inside the bag if I didn't want it exposed at all (if I'm walking in the office).

How do the stock sheaths take to holding the knife over a period of time in a handle down carry? Am I at risk of one day reaching for it and it not being there? Are there any maintenance requirements or checks that are recommended? Does the new design sheath offer additional support/protection?

Related to this - KW offered the BK14SG that's now discontinued with a coyote stock sheath. Doesn't look like I can get that from Kabar. Any where else to get a coyote sheath, other than custom made?
 
Vinjints said:
So I don't remember what knife I was researching, but some thread (maybe on BF), some time ago sent me looking for the Becker-Necker. From there I settled on the 14, before finally buying the 24. Handles followed shortly after. To date, the 24 stays in my bag and goes wherever I go. I still carry a folder and SAK in my pocket, but the 24 is always with me right next to my multi.

I have never thought about carrying this, or any other knife, around my neck. But I am interested in trying to attach it point up/handle down on my bag's shoulder strap. I figure it's small enough that I shouldn't get too many goofy stares if I'm outdoors, and can simply take the knife out, into a second sheath, and inside the bag if I didn't want it exposed at all (if I'm walking in the office).

How do the stock sheaths take to holding the knife over a period of time in a handle down carry? Am I at risk of one day reaching for it and it not being there? Are there any maintenance requirements or checks that are recommended? Does the new design sheath offer additional support/protection?

Related to this - KW offered the BK14SG that's now discontinued with a coyote stock sheath. Doesn't look like I can get that from Kabar. Any where else to get a coyote sheath, other than custom made?
Click to expand...

The older stock 11/14/24 sheaths leave a lot to be desired as far as retention goes IMO. The new one might be better, don't know.

Email KaBar about the coyote sheath, it'll be near 20 dollars, but you should be able to get one.
 
The newer sheaths have a locking mechanism on them that prevents the knife from slipping out when engaged. Might be worth emailing KABAR and inquiring about those as well.
 
You can get one from many sheathe makers on here for about $25 or so. Mine is from Azwelke and I use it as a neck knife handle down. Perfect and secure retention. No worries about it falling out. Just make sure you use cordage that will break before choking you to death in case it snags on something and don't stab yourself in the throat putting it back in the sheath. ;)

I find neck carry very convenient around camp for quick access if not wearing a belt or don't want anything on my waist.
 
Yup, get the new sheath with the lock. I don't recommend you carry upside down. Leave that for Hollywood.

Just for some insight, and maybe a little fanboy copycatting, Uncle E wears his 11 on his neck but not upside down.

Here is a pic of my 14 (not upside down) carry on a Camlebak shoulder strap. I didn't get any weird stares while on hikes with it. But, I did not leave it on for trips to the zoo, some parks and a few museums (urban areas). I could have carried it upside down but frankly, the retention on the older sheaths is not conducive to that (you just can't trust'em). I used belt keepers (found in just about anyplace that sells LE gear or holsters) to attach it to the strap.

 
Last edited:
The new sheaths with the locking mechanism would definitely work upside down, guaranteed (provided no modifications were made to the guard). The locking mechanism itself can be removed and transplanted to a different sheath, say a coyote one if you wanted.
 
I carry a slightly larger blade tip-up on my bag strap and its a lovely arrangement.
 
I carry my BK11 in exactly that manner, Tip-up on the shoulder strap of my pack. I have the sheath wrapped with paracord to keep it in place. You don't even notice it's there and It has never come loose. I have the Micarta scales on mine as well.
 
I've carried my 11 & 14 tip up around my neck in both stock (old style) and custom sheaths with nary a problem. For the 11, it puts the bottle opener right at the perfect place for cap removal without removing the knife from my neck or sheath. I think stock sheaths have enough retention, but custom (one homemade and one from northeastkydex (trailbum)) do seem more secure. For me it makes the blade easier to deploy, tho it's a two handed re-insertion process.
 
What kind of locking mechanism are on the new ones? Is it an active retention or just a better plastic protrusion to retain the blade?
 
From the KABAR website:



Sheath's supposedly a bit softer and the thumb lock mechanism thingy secures the blade in the sheath until it's pivoted away.
 
I carry my BK11 tip up when canoeing. I attach the sheath to one of the straps on my life vest. It's easily accessed and does not draw attention.
 
Aikiguy said:
From the KABAR website:



Sheath's supposedly a bit softer and the thumb lock mechanism thingy secures the blade in the sheath until it's pivoted away.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting that! Never seen that before, looks a bit odd but seems like it'll function great
 
Go ahead and grab that BK14SG while ur at it...its pretty nice if you ever need serrations...
Great price too
 
That lock system works good and so far I have had no ooops and I fully trust it now 100%.! It stays there till you need it.!
 
I lost a bk14 while hiking because I carried it in the stock sheath tip up. Must've bumped a shrub or something. Either way, I would NEVER carry it without the lock sheath tip up again! I do, however, carry mine tip down on my bag everyday, all day. Love that little blade.
 
keroscene said:
I lost a bk14 while hiking because I carried it in the stock sheath tip up. Must've bumped a shrub or something. Either way, I would NEVER carry it without the lock sheath tip up again! I do, however, carry mine tip down on my bag everyday, all day. Love that little blade.
Click to expand...

Yea when mine was new and still really tight I would hike with it tip up on my pack strap but once it started wearing in i couldn't trust it - I'm really considering picking up a lock sheath now
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top