Knife carry w/ backpack

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gulliamo

Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
193
How do you carry a full size sheath knife with your backpack? (I'm talking about a full sized backpack with thick waste belt.)

Shoulder strap option.
-Pro: easy access
-Con: stuck to pack

Neck option:
-Pro: easy access, on person
-Con: limited size

What other options are there when your belt is not accessible? Hat?
 
You can use a drop leg extender on the sheath for one.

Me I dont like waist belts. So I use an older Swiss Mountain Ruck which doesn't have one.

Another option is to use a Ribz frontpack for your survival essentials, and carry the knife in it. (another option I use)

Some Packs the waist belt rides high enough that it is possible to carry the knife in a horizontal sheath on the belt. You would have to try this one out with your pack and knife combo as some knives do not lend themselves to such carry due to size and design considerations.
 
It is easy for me because i spend months ever year in a pack . I used to rig Any larger knife on the pack belt . Now I build my own custom sheaths for a "highride" type position but at about a 45 degree angle . They also swivel to a degree because I use a narrow exterior belt loop on the sheath . Try this ,it gives you all day comfort and with the pack belt over the sheath and the sheath on your belt at that . You set the knife right in front of your hip and it works like a million bucks.
 
wildmike said:
You can use a drop leg extender on the sheath for one.
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+1 :thumbup::thumbup:
Hate carrying on a shoulder strap, despise having something bouncing on my chest when I'm hauling @$$, plus I've had necklines snag - particularly bad if you're climbing or find yourself tumbling downhill - and I need to move it around if I'm bending over fire, food, water, something I need to see, etc. :thumbdn:

Tight to your thigh, the tool is always on you (whether you're wearing your pack or not), is comfortable walking/running/climbing/standing/sitting/squatting/laying/etc., is at your finger-tips (easiest draw/re-sheath position), doesn't easily snag on straps or foliage, is out of the way of waist-straps and jacket/shirt hems...

If I don't mind it being seen, I can't think of a better way to carry my knife, whether I've got a pack on or not. But to each their own...
 
Get one with a sheath that can be strapped anywhere.
Over the years I've gotten into the habit of having both thumbs hooked into the chest clip of my pack... perhaps it keeps more blood going to my legs.
Anyway, a quick reach up to the side of the pack seems to be the most efficient.
Just get one (pack and knife) that is tiedown friendly wherever you are most efficient.
 
elkpro1 said:
It is easy for me because i spend months ever year in a pack . I used to rig Any larger knife on the pack belt . Now I build my own custom sheaths for a "highride" type position but at about a 45 degree angle . They also swivel to a degree because I use a narrow exterior belt loop on the sheath . Try this ,it gives you all day comfort and with the pack belt over the sheath and the sheath on your belt at that . You set the knife right in front of your hip and it works like a million bucks.
Click to expand...
This seems like an interesting option. Do you have a picture of the sheath or you wearing it?
 
I prefer the strap carry inverted like in the Nam movies. Works well for a knife 1' overall and under.
 
gulliamo said:
I have a decent custom sheath that I can attach in many ways but don't want to have to bother moving it.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786328

To the drop-leg extender crowd: what sheath or extender do you recommend?
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Condor and Blackhawk both offer drop-leg panels and simple sheath-extenders for molle and canvas-style sheaths. Lots of custom sheath-makers also offer drop-leg attachments and modifications for sheaths - usually a nylon or leather belt-loop with an attachment device for securing to your sheath's original hardware. Given your special custom sheath, I'd contact that maker or another and have them make you one... or you could make it yourself :):thumbup:

And in a pinch, string or cord of any kind can be used.

For the leg-straps, the best design incorporates some section of elastic-material to allow stretch without loosening the strap, as you'll want it fairly tight. Also, some traction-backing on the strap(s) - e.g. integrated rubber or even some rubber-bands strategically placed - will keep the strap(s) from shifting around as you move. I use one strap pretty high on my inseam, and for longer or lower-riding blades i also use a leg-tie at the end of the sheath.
 
If possible, get an extra kydex sheath. Attach the kydex to your backpack, in a location you like. The other belt sheath can then be used once the pack has been set down, at camp, etc.. You just transfer the knife, so the knife is always on you. This may or may not work for everyone. I've only experimented with it a few times.
 
It is best if your knife and your survival essentials are always carried ON YOUR PERSON. NOT in or on your backpack. I have seen countless instances where individuals have lost their backpack while either crossing water or tumbling down a hill...even when the gear has had to be dropped to distract a bear. If your survival gear and knife are on your pack in such a case you would be left in deep doo doo.
 
I cheat. :-) when I'm backpacking I wear the full size backpack but I also wear a fanny pack (screw fashion, I'm in the woods) facing forward that holds my snacks & the survival stuff I really wouldn't want to loose, ie fire starting kit, flashlight, whistle, etc, should I loose the pack during a river crossing or something. I use the belt on said fanny-pack to hold my sheath knife.

edit, /\ what wildmike said (beat me to it).
 
Zog I used to do the same thing. Used one of the old military models.

Now I use a Ribz frontpack Camo model. They work fantastic.
 
The waist belt from my backpack almost always rides higher than my pant's belt.

So for me there is no problem carrying a pack and a sheath knife.

It also helps that I don't like sheath knives that ride high on a belt. I don't like having the handle ride any higher than my belt regardless of wearing a pack or not. I could see it being a real problem if I had the type of sheath that extended the handle up above my belt; I just prefer the opposite.

EDIT: There have been some packs I have tried that had really BULKY waist belts. If those make knife extraction too difficult, then I'll just throw the knife in the pack (worst case scenario) and rely on a pocket folder for easier access.
 
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wildmike said:
It is best if your knife and your survival essentials are always carried ON YOUR PERSON. NOT in or on your backpack. I have seen countless instances where individuals have lost their backpack while either crossing water or tumbling down a hill...even when the gear has had to be dropped to distract a bear. If your survival gear and knife are on your pack in such a case you would be left in deep doo doo.
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"MOLLE" is my answer.

This is my get-home bag that I keep in my car:

OutcastPacked-2-crop.jpg


I agree with wildmike though, when you're actually in a survival situation, your main blade needs to be on your person. I would transfer the knife to my belt should I need to hoof it home using this pack, but I can't carry that Outcast or any other sheath knife around with me all the time due to work restrictions, so there ya go, it stores nicely there.

Blues
 
I haven't done a river crossing in a while, and wasn't thinking about that. My pack got knocked off a hill once, on the switchback side luckily. Got it back, but as it tumbled, I realized how screwed I could be. It changed my approach to what I keep on my person, and where I lay my pack, well my friend knocked it over.
 
Usually when backpacking, I have my large fixed blade sheath on my left hip belt a bit farther back but still at close reach. I also carry a small folder in my right front pocket.

Although unlikely that you'll be split up with your pack it can happen for various reasons. I try to keep enough in pockets and to be able to survive long enough to get back my pack such as a folder, small light, and firesteel...
 
Blues I hear your pain.

Knife goes on my belt the minute I'm on the trail. Though I have had good experiaences when I have worn it around town. No really weird looks from folks and absolutely no problems with LEO's. I'm sure the same would not be true everywhere.
 
I am sorry I dont have pictures of my highride type sheaths I will try to take some this week and post them . Knife extraction is no problem with the pack on and the knife on my belt . I have built sheaths since i was a kid and this desighn took years of actual carry to perfect but now all my knives stay on me and ride all day comfortable .
 
foxx said:
If possible, get an extra kydex sheath. .
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That's an interesting thought! I have the factory kydex... it doesn't solve the lost-pack scenario but does provide options. I prefer horizontal carry and my Gregory pack has a big, chunky (cushy) belt.

This is in prep for my first foray into serious, non-military backpacking. Do any of you get a hard time (scowls?) for having large (>7 inch total) knives strapped in "tactical" positions like inverted on shoulder straps or dropped on thigh straps while hiking public places (Yosemite)?
 
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