Is it practical to edc a fixed blade?

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Omega Leather Works

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So I've been wanting a Fiddleback Forge fixed blade for some time. My only issue is that I don't want to only carry it when I go camping.

For those of you that edc a fixed blade, how do you find it?

So long as it's not concealed it's perfectly legal here.

My concern is comfort, especially when doing things like getting in and out of my cars and what not.
 
Strigamort said:
So I've been wanting a Fiddleback Forge fixed blade for some time. My only issue is that I don't want to only carry it when I go camping.

For those of you that edc a fixed blade, how do you find it?

So long as it's not concealed it's perfectly legal here.

My concern is comfort, especially when doing things like getting in and out of my cars and what not.
Click to expand...

That's what a Scandi dangler sheath is for.
It will function perfectly when sitting down in the car or at work.


Regards
Mikael
 
I don't think it's a question of practicality more so than legality. If it's legal to carry a fixed blade in your area, I say go for it. It's not legal for me in NY, otherwise I'd also include a number of nice, small fixed blades that I have as part of my rotation.
 
I carry a Busse GW in Mashed Cat Kydex most days now, it has replaced most of my folders for normal day carry. Look up the Tactical Tether on the web, make your own out of Paracord and use it to retain the sheathed knife in your pocket. The GW is small enough that only about 1/2'' of the handle is visible peeping out of the pocket. When I'm around the house or outside, I can carry it in a left-hand crossdraw position on my right hip at between 2-3 o'clock. Very comfortable. When hunting or hiking, I often carry a CS Trailmaster IWB in a River City Southern Comfort sheath, equally comfortable. As already stated, KNOW YOUR LOCAL LAWS. That's about it.
 
I'd say it is more a question of prudence. Overtly carrying fixed blades raises eyebrows when you are around people. You have to decide if you are OK with that kind of attention. That was part of the reason I stopped carrying a fixed blade.

The other reason was comfort. Get a rigid stick the length of your intended knife + sheath package. Then fasten it to where you would carry it. Then flex and rotate your body as you normally would in your day to day chores. I got tired of constantly being poked.

For overt carry a dangler of some sort or a cargo pocket is a good option. For concealed carry it gets more tricky because you have to find a place that is both concealed and doesn't need to bend. Most guys I've seen who carry fixed blades try to get past the comfort issues by carrying really small blades. Not ideal IMHO unless self defense is a primary concern.
 
Do it daily. Have a ZT 160 on right now. It carries high so it stays out of the way except for my love handles. So far, no cuts there. I usually use a lower sheath, preferably leather, so things flex when I sit, but I make whatever I carry work. Mostly 4-5 in or less anyways, so not a big issue.
 
Strigamort said:
My concern is comfort, especially when doing things like getting in and out of my cars and what not.
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This all depends on the size of you, the size of the knife and where you plan on wearing it.

I'll usually carry a Scrapivore (small 6 1/2 inches overall) either vertical on my left side or on the small of my back. I hardly notice when its there. Now when I carry my Esee 4 which is about 9 inches overall its too big for the small of my back so I'll carry it vertical on my left side. Decently comfortable but much more noticeable.

Sometimes I'll throw the Scrapivore in my pocket.
 
In Bavaria the Jagdnicker pattern is carried by many people and it´s a fixed blade. Available in several size options and good even for pocket carry.
 
I carry what I would consider a mid-size fixed blade of my own design and creation. The sheath is tied to a lanyard with an S-clip that clips to the belt loop closest to my front right pocket, though sometimes carry it in my back right pocket. It's thin enough that I don't really notice any difference over carrying a folder in my pocket.
 
I don't know the design of the knife you want or the sheath it's carried in, but I used to Carry my buck 143 on my belt (until I recently became allergic to nickel and ditched said belt) in its factory sheath with no problem whatsoever (short of it being a right handed sheath on a left handed man) the sheath was long enough to protrude from the bottom of my shirt so it wasn't concealed, and as such was legal, and people apparently don't use their eyes, my friends never even knew I had it on me until they asked if I had a knife they could use, of course I wear black pants all the time too so it did blend in. I did have to occasionally adjust it when I sat but I wouldn't call it uncomfortable, an occasional minor annoyance at worst.
 
I've openly carried a fixed-blade here in urban San Diego for several years now. I normally ride a motorcycle, so having a knife hanging from my belt on my side isn't an issue as far as comfort. My sheath is designed for quick removal from my belt (the top of the the belt loop has heavy duty snaps), so on the rare occasion I drive or ride in a car, I remove the sheath, then attach it when I get out.

I have to be conscious of how and where I sit in places like restaurants. Either I sit in a chair, or I sit on the end of a booth with my knife facing out (so it doesn't dig into the booth).

Aside from the issues of sitting, I wouldn't even know the knife is there.

When I first started carrying a fixed-blade I was concerned about peoples reactions, but it's been eight or nine years now of daily carry in public and not one person has ever said a negative word about it. I also haven't noticed any sort of negative reactions like weird looks or whispered comments, but I don't look for such reactions. No one has ever called the cops on me, and no one has ever asked me to leave their business. These days, carrying a fixed-blade seems as normal to me as wearing shoes.

I've seen more than a few people openly carrying fixed-blades here in urban San Diego, from fellow bikers, to average joe's, and even clean-cut college-looking guys. One of the most memorable guys I've seen carrying was a young guy (fellow customer at a Mexican restaurant). He was in his late teens or early twenties, clean shaven, short, perfectly combed hair, light blue polo shirt, kahki pants. I'm not sure exactly what the knife was, but it was hanging upside-down from his belt in some sort of plastic quick-release sheath. I think it might have been a CRKT Hammond ABS Operators knife.
 
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I have an ESEE Izula on my belt now. I've been carrying it for a week or two now that I found the perfect way to carry it on my belt

Not the best picture but It sits perfectly on my belt and my shirt covers it so you can't even tell I have it on me. I did have to drill 2 holes in the sheath tho lol :D

 
Just posted this in the EDC thread, but here I go again! :cool:

I've been carrying this sucker today. I say give it a shot and see if it's for you. I don't see any problem unless you're trying to edc a machete or something haha.

 
I've got a 2.5 in fixed blade that is very light and I barely notice it in my pocket. I carried folders clipped inside my waistband before this and I prefer the small fixed blade now. Kestrel knives Tahoe if you're interested
 
I carry a custom Graham's Ringed Razel on my left side in reverse position. The size is compact, the draw is easy and the chisel profile is tool-like. It's also a pretty useful blade.
 
You could get/make a kydex sheath with a belt clip and clip it to the inside of your pocket like you would a folder with a pocket clip idk if it would work I just thought of it now
 
My EDC for some years was a fixed blade in a belt sheath...Once or twice I heard through the grapevine at work that someone new asked "who's that guy and why does he carry a knife?" It was an essential tool for my job though...so no one was going to tell me to stop carrying it. I switched to carrying a folder when that fixed blade broke because I was tired of the knife hanging up on chairs when I sat down
 
gooeytek said:
I don't think it's a question of practicality more so than legality. If it's legal to carry a fixed blade in your area, I say go for it. It's not legal for me in NY, otherwise I'd also include a number of nice, small fixed blades that I have as part of my rotation.
Click to expand...

I didn't think NY had any restrictions except for within NYC?
 
I EDC a fixed blade everyday. I prefer it, and I dont see how it would be impractical to you unless it was unlawful. Its key to pick the right sized blade and right carry method that works for you. So far I haven't had anyone freak out but some people can be curious and ask questions.
 
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