I need some serious convincing on the new sheath

G

Geoff in Philly

Joined
Mar 7, 2000
Messages
458
I am trying to be understanding and patient.

I note that if the knife is double wrapped for security, it is cumbersome to retrieve...unsnap, unwind, unwind, withdraw... It is not an intuitive or easy withdrawl. Repalcing it securely, smoothly with one hand is really not happening for me...insert knife, find the cord, wrap, wrap, snap. If I ever needed to sheath or unsheath the knife, while the other hand was busy (ie holding onto a rope, say)in a smooth hurried motion, I think I would fail. maybe its me

If the knife is single wrapped, it pulls out so that 1" or more of blade is exposed while trying to unwrap it. Exposed edges in that scenario make me uncomfortable.

I know that some design elements are positive, but I am not crazy at all about the ease of releasing or replacing the knife.

Am I missing sumthin'? Am I doing something wrong? Is my learning curve just too flat?

PS my BA3 completely rocks.
 
For normal use, I don't use retention straps of any kind, I just let the knife sit in the sheath. Yes if you were to fall over the knife could come out and you could land on it, so strapping it in prevents this, the risk is acceptable to me. The wrap around is however a bit more involved than a simple snap. It can be done fluidly with on hand though, it just takes some practice.

-Cliff
 
I am not a fan of this sheath design either. Just give me some kind of keeper snap strap and I am happy.
 
I have shortened the cord, so the little tab folds over the talon hole and meets the snap. The cord that holds the little tab is secured in the other hole with a knot. the knot is facing and touching the tang of the blade.

So the knot is pushing the tang of the blade so the talon hole of the blade rests completely under the strap. It feels pretty secure there...

After much experimentation, it worked for me...

I agree it is not the fastest sheath, but it is secure.

hope this helps

Bill
 
I understand your concerns but for me working on,in or near water or while climbing I like the idea of knowin even if it accidently comes unsnapped it wont fall out due to the wrap around feature.Another plus is that it cant be quickly taken from you by someone else.That is one of the reasons I switched my kydex sheath to a in the waistband concealed sheath,not an on my side sheath.I had a friend of mine (just playing of course)take my knife from my kydex sheath while I was sitting on my truck tailgate in one quick and smooth motion before I even knew what was goin on.Also I have had single snaps come undone in thick brush or while rolling on the ground like in a sleeping bag.The design is not really for a quick draw but then again if you have to quick draw your knife your pullin the wrong weapon IMO.
 
I also need some serious convincing. That wrap around paracord with a snap thing is rediculous. Not being able to draw the knife fast is lame. The rest of the sheath however is great, and my BA3 is awesome. I am going to have to add a normal snap to the sheath if I can find the time. Otherwise I'll have to have someone make me a better sheath.

Cliff, your comment of leaving the knife sitting in the sheath without securing it doesn't sound too smart. :rolleyes:
 
Now you see why we make knives and not sheaths! ;)

Personally, I really like the BA3 sheaths. The snap options are many, including one fella who ran the 550 cord through the bottom handle tube and had the snap tab simply hang from the handle. I tried this and it really works well.

This sheath design is the most favored by our military and law enforcement boys whose biggest concern is retaining the knife until it is needed. It also allows for quick repair if the retaining strap is accidentally cut while in the field. If you want fast retrieval then you shouldn’t be looking at cordura but should be looking into kydex. Both Eric Noeldechen and David Brown make sock rockin’ rigs for these blades.


Jerry
 
:D I am Blushing thanks for the kind words I am working on getting a BA3 & a Groovey knife just make sheaths with (at least that is what I am telling Mrs. Buy Brown :D ) Untill then send me the knife & I will help you out
 
Volvi :

... leaving the knife sitting in the sheath without securing it doesn't sound too smart
Click to expand...

I worked in carpentry for several years, the tools carried in the pouch were not all strapped in, and even if they were, if I fell off a roof or a scaffold, some times 50+ feet high, I was not overly concerned about the fact that I might land on a knife or spike that came out of the pouch on the way down. I also stack many cord of wood each year. When you are carrying a 200-300 log on your shoulder, if you trip and fall, you would be wishing that all you had to worry about was keeping a knife in its sheath. It is all a matter of perspective. I snap the knives in generally when I don't intend to be using them for an extended period of time. No I don't recommend this, but like I said, it is acceptable to me. I have other pressing concerns usually. The cord wrap retention system is of no consequence to me, though I can see how it would be irritating to some, as it is more involved than a simple band snap.

-Cliff
 
Here's the snap tab in the front handle hole.
 

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In the top photo with the snap-tab-thru-the-hole ,how do you withdraw the knife and then detach it from the snap cord?!!! Am I missing something????:confused: :confused: :confused:
Martin
 
Step away from the blocks, Jerry! You can do it! :D

Nice pics, BTW. I for one like the new sheath. I love options, and that is what this sheath is all about.
 
Mark me down as one of the people in favor of the new retention systems on the sheaths.

By using the single wrap, wherein you shorten the cord by tying a knot in back, so that the cord just goes over the talon hole and then snaps down, you have an equally easy and fast draw as with the older keeper-snap-strap design. In fact, I think it is a little faster, since unsnapping is achieved with an upward pull--same as withdrawing the knife from the sheath. Since both unsnapping the retention cord and drawing the knife are accomplished by the same type of motion, they can now be done together in one quick move; whereas the the keeper-snap-strap required two distinctly separate moves (horizontally pull the snap to unfasten, then vertically pull the knife out of the sheath).

The old retention system was a little bit prone to severing the retention-snap-strap during the draw; the new system is a little bit prone to accidentally severing the retention cord during the draw. However, the old system was inconvenient or difficult to replace, requiring a specialized part that needs to be ordered and mailed. The new system just requires a standard piece of paracord which can be replaced in the field in a matter of moments. The old system's strap also tended to progressively take a little more damage with each careless draw, becoming a little more frayed and tattered until it falls apart. The new system does not seem quite as prone to slice against the retainer with every single careless draw.

By using the double wrap, you have much greater security against the knife falling out or being taken from you than with the old retention strap.

So, to my view, we now have more options, including (1) faster, easier-to-draw, with equal security to the old system, (2)a little slower, a little harder to draw, with far greater security than the old system, (3) a million other specialized , customizable options, limited only by your imagination. Add to this that you have increased durability and greatly increased ease of field repair.

What's not to like?
 
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