How large of a knife can you carry in a horizontal sheath?

C

Can-Am Joel

Joined
May 24, 2007
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I prefer to wear my knifes in a horizontal carry position. I was wondering what you thought would be the largest knife that could be carried this way.

Also, what is the largest knife you have built a sheath for a horizontal carry?

Pictures would be great.:D

Thanks...
 
zignal_zero said:
i think it really depends on how wide you are
Click to expand...

Bingo! a lot does depend on how big you are. I have made some horizontals for some pretty big knives, but something in the 9-10 inch overall length or less does the best for a true horizontal. You can get by with more length if you can tolerate a little angle carry to your sheath. The position on the body also is a factor. If you will carry a little more to the front like over the front pocket on your jeans, you can get away with a little more length. I have many pictures, but they mean very little concerning your question if not shown being worn and none of my pictures show this.

Paul
 
Good answers... I am wide;a 44" waist! I have a knife that is 10" OAL. I have just never seen a knife that long in a horizontal carry.

Thanks again...
 
I once made a horizontal sheath for a Battle Mistress, 9" blade. I think overall the knife is 15. That fellow had to be rather large, that thing would have made me look a little dangerous to passer by. A whack in the hip wouldnt endear me on the trail, :o

If the knife has a sheath now, simply hold it against your belt, to your back, and see if it hides as well behind you as you would like. The body as some roundness and a knife is flat so it might wing out a little more than you'd like.
 
apparently british soldiers occasionaly carry the sa80 bayonet attached horisontaly to the top of their rear utillity pouch on thier webbing. 7inch blade and not exactly slim, and then carried in a bulky plastic sheath. not sure if this should be considered true horisontal carry however.
 
The small of your back is curved all the way around, but of course the angle of that curve becomes much more shallow until you get to either side. If the entire knife, including the handle, fits within the "shadow" or lee of your back, it should fit. But if it starts to edge out of that lee it will print badly and project uncomfortably.

hissatsu03.jpg
 
Thats exactly what I was talking about! :) Thanks for the illustration Phil!

"winging out" was the best phrase I could come up with at the time. :o
 
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