How to carry a utility knife without it being obvious?

M

Mike-oae

Joined
May 25, 2000
Messages
7
I'm new here and can't seem to find anything in past discussions. I'd like to carry a small (3" or so) floder with me for general use. I work in an office where a belt sheath is obvious and catches on everything. I normally wear a hip bag when I'm out and about. I haven't seen anything in the magazines or anywhere else, on anything that is commerically available or something I could have made for me that would allow me to carry a folder or straight blade in/on a hip bag.

Does anyone know of a way to carry a knife in a hip pouch so that it's easy to get to but out of site so as to not upset polite society?

Thanks,
Mike
 
Welcome Mike.

My first question is are you allowed to carry the knife?

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"A knifeless man is a lifeless man"
-Nordic proverb
 
Welcome to the forums. If you just want it to be less obvious than a hip pouch (wore one of those for a while, and it gets a lot of comments, although most are people asking if it's a cell phone), you can try the pouch offered by Alan Elishewitz ( http://www.elishewitzknives.com ). It clips to your pocket, then you slide the folder inside. People will still see the clip, so it's not really "concealed," but it is a little more "sheeple-friendly." The other similar option is just to get a knife with a clip built in. I don't want to comment on concealment, as it may be illegal in your area (I don't know what the laws are in CO).

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Yes. I can assure you that I'm. I'm a good bit over 21. I've never been introuble with the law in any way. I'm responsible and don't look for trouble.

I just find carring a small bladed knife a handy tool for a lot of odd jobs that crop up during the day. I was just wondering if there was a better way to carry it so everytime I needed to use it, I didn't have go digging for it. Right now I carry a Leatherman Super Tool and a Swiss Army knife in the hip pouch that I have. They are in there with a few other things that I like to keep with me. Fumbling to get one of them out to do something is cumbersome. I was wondering is someone may know of a better way to carry them on or in a hip bag (fanny pack or whatever those things are called).

Mike

 
Thanks for the tip JB. I've not interest in carrying anything over 3 1/2". It't my understanding that is the general rule for what can go in your pocket without being a concealed weapon. I find that 3" or there abouts does just about everything I need to do. I want to stay leagal and for my needs I don't need to carry anything bigger.

Mike


 
Yup, my hip-pouch carry was a Victorinox Explorer. Most knives can be simply tossed in your pocket, but the knife will 'print' on the outside of your clothes (and then you get all the "is that a ___ in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?" comments). No one ever comments about the knives I have clipped in. If you want to continue carrying the SAK (Swiss Army Knife, an abbreviation you will see a few times around here), one of those pouches would work. If you want to 'upgrade' your knife as well, let me recommend the Benchmade 705. Great knife, and a 3" blade, to boot. Check it out at http://www.benchmade.com/

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Mike,
As far as the fanny-pack/hip bag thing goes I have seen one listed in the 'Sportsmans' Guide' (they have a site and I think it is www.sportsmansguide.com but you might have to search to get it if I'm wrong) that is designed to carry concealed small firearms. I'm not sure how they work exactly but from the pix it looks as if the person is drawing from a hidden pocket behind the standard pouch. Would work the same for a knife as well but as the other guys here mentioned you need to be well versed in the concealment laws before you carry like that. That magazine/website is a great place to find deals on stuff from knives to ammo and just about anything else you can think of. Great prices too! Good luck.
Shawn

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'With aching, trembling hands
We cling so tightly to them
Long after they have turned to dust.
..... Dreams die hard!'
SMC
 
My first response to you is to check and comply with the law.

I did a quick serach of the CO Revised Statutes on the net and found several references to knives. The two that I think are most applicable to your question are:

18-12-102 (f) which defines knives in general and I read it to say that a knife is not a knife unless the blade is over 3 1/2: long - but I would not like to have to defend myself in court over that.

Also, 18-12-105 speaks to concealed weapons and indicates that it is illegal to carry a concealed gun or knife.

So there are two issues here. Is a knife with a blade under 3 1/2" a knife, and can you carry any knife concealed? To me, a knife is a knife but apparently in CO if the blade is under 3 1/2" it is not a knife. The definition of concealment differs from area to area. Usually, from my experience, if ANY part of the item is covered with anything, including a sheath, pouch or holster, it could be considered concealed.

I'd check with someone in CO who is familiar with the law and get a more refined answer to all of this.

Generally speaking though, I think if you carry someone with a blade under 3 1/2" (and I would take into consideration the whole blade length, including that inside the handle) you should be ok. You could probably even use a small knife pouch. You might want to consider a horizontal knife pouch that can be worn horizontally on your belt where it will hug up closer and maybe be a little less obvious. But again, check.

I simpify matters on a day to day basis and just carry a pocketknife. In TX though, we can legally carry a knife with a blade up to 5 1/2" long in most cases. But unless I am doing something where I need a blade that long, I stick with the smaller stuff.

 
Thanks for the advice Rick1955. I'll check into the laws on concealment and what is and isn't a knife. I want to comply with the rules.

The idea of using a horizontal sheath is one of the options that I've been considering. My thinking is that if I were to put it on the belt of a hip pouch then it would sit too far in front or back with the way I wear a hip pouch. I probably should get a horizontal sheath and try it on my belt and see how that works.

Since I'm a little bigger than average, I have a hard time finding hip pouches that fit. My current one is a Tilly but it's starting to show some real wear. I bought a replacement from them but it didn't fit around my waist so I had to send it back. I've been thinking seriously of having a hip pouch specially made for me so that it would fit. Thus my original question. I wanted to see if there was any way to incorporate into the design a way to carry a small bladed knife. The things that I've come up with have been do able but not very elegant.

Some of the designs I come up with are to have the sheaths of the particlar knifes made as part of the pouch. If I ever want to carry a different knife I either have to put it into the main compartment where it's hard to get at or have a new pouch made. The other thing I've tought of was to run a strap of some kind on the out side so that I can attach the knife sheaths to it. That wouldn't look good and probably catch on more things and advertise that I have a knife (I've found some people get strange about any kind of knife, even a pen knife on a key ring).

Mike
 
To Emanym Ton:
I've done a little looking alread on the site you suggested. I didn't find it yet but I'll keep looking.

Thanks,
Mike
 
To e_utopia:

I'll have to take a closer look at the clip-on sheath, it looks interesting. As for a knife with a built in clip, I purchased a 3" Cuda sereral months ago (because I wanted to take a closer look at the opening button). Plus I wanted to try that kind of knife style out as a potential carring knife. I still haven't found a good spot to carry it. I've seen people with knifes with clips in one of thier front pants pockets but I have to much junk in mine already.

My top choice for carring that style of knife is to have a pocket of some sort put on a hip pouch that I would have made and put the knife in that (if the pocket was designed correctly, it would take any number of knikes with built in clips). I would probably need some sort of flap that would cover the face of the pouch to keep the knife and other pockets (for coins and other small junk) out of site and help prevent them from catching on things (hopefully). Plus I could use the flap as a pocket itself.

Mike
 
This is not an idea for your bag carry. But if you want a knife ready by your side use the clips out there. Not on your pocket. Inside the waistband of your pants. Put a nice 2" belt over that clip. Clip is concealed and you can get to it fast. Make the belt the same color of knife & Clip. If its still poking out . Slap a pager or cell phone infront of that area. No bag needed.
 
To Frank Castle:

Thanks for the information. I'll have to look into it. That might solve the probelem for when I really have to dress up with an iron madien and a noose (suit and tie) but I try to keep those occasions to a minimum. Like weddings (other peoples) and funnerls (mine) and the occasional job interview. Since I'm looking at having a hip pouch made for me (due to my slightly above average size and what not) that maybe I can incorporate your suggestion into that. The reason I'm looking at the hip pouch is that I wear mine all of the time. It's just like putting on any other piece of clothing. I feel out of balance without it. I come to work and hang it on the coat hook in my cubicle so that it's handy even then.

Can you make any suggestions as to a knife maker and line of knifes that would do what you are suggesting? I think I have an idea as to what you are suggesting.

Thanks,
Mike
 
To suggest a type of knife is up to your needs,likes,price range,hand size, and whats allowed in state.
GT knives makes a clip I like alot. I have had spydercos and benchmades clip onto a seat belt. Never lost one but it had potential. However if your carring as I suggested they'd be fine. There is a ton of clip style folders to choose out there. point and click!
 
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