Hi all,
Yep! This is the conclusion I have finally reached. I own a fair amount of both folding Knives and Fixed Blade Knifes. For this thread, I am referring to "Fixed Blade" Knives, especially those knives intended for use in Hunting/Bush Craft etc.
I have noticed over the years a disturbing trend with too many of the knives that I have purchased. While most every knife I've purchased is of very good quality, I find myself no longer carrying many of these Knives (on my Belt) basically for two reasons. Reason one is, the knife is just too large and tends to get in my way.
To remedy this, I now find myself purchasing smaller and smaller Knives over the year. That being said, my NUMERO UNO reason for my no longer carrying many of my Knives on my Belt is because (too often) the badly designed Sheaths. Now, the overall quality of many sheath appear to actually be quite good quality Leather/construction. The REAL issue with the Sheath is the "RETENTION" (or lack thereof) system.
A prime example, yesterday, I went for a little hike in my Woods and I decided to grab my "TOPS Lite Trekker Knife" (a very NICE knife) with it's (I believe) Kydex Sheath and it's "large" metal belt clip. I made sure that the Sheath's "Clip" was fully engaged on my (quality made/thick Leather Gun belt) before heading out into the Woods.
While in the Woods, I began gathering dead Wood/blow down branches etc. and began piling/constructing sort of a "Ground Blind" in one of my Hunting areas. As I bent down to pick up some more Branches, PING! Off pops the Sheath and Knife! SOB!
Lucky for me (this time) I was able to hear/see/felt the Knife as it fell off my Body. I dear say, had this happen in the Winter/Snow chances are, I would of never heard/known the Knife had fallen and I'd of lost a very nice Knife. So, I can add yet another "I CAN'T Trust carrying" Belt Knife heading for the Kit Bag. I also do NOT trust several of my Leather Sheaths that employ "Snaps" to hold the Sheath onto Belt.
In addition, too many Sheath (mostly Leather) do NOT retain the Knife in it's sheath, being waaay too easy to fall out of Sheath due to Gravity. Funny, of late, I feel most confident carrying my (INexpensive but lovely) "Wood Jewel Vuolu Little 8 Knife" as it's small size/weight keeps it out of my way. The "design" of it's Leather Sheath (with Plastic insert) SECURELY holds this knife in the sheath until one draws it out.
Of course nothing is perfect as the "dangler" style Leather Sheath of the "Wood Jewel" sort of requires (but not always) a "two Hand" operation to withdraw the knife, that is to say, one Hand holding the Sheath securely and one Hand withdrawing the Knife grasping with Handle. That being said, thus far, I have found this little Wood Jewel Vuolu 8 Knife "SYSTEM approach" to now be my carry preference. I would love to hear your experiences regarding Knife carry/retention stories (be it good or bad). Suggestions/recommendations welcome! Thanks.
HARDBALL
Yep! This is the conclusion I have finally reached. I own a fair amount of both folding Knives and Fixed Blade Knifes. For this thread, I am referring to "Fixed Blade" Knives, especially those knives intended for use in Hunting/Bush Craft etc.
I have noticed over the years a disturbing trend with too many of the knives that I have purchased. While most every knife I've purchased is of very good quality, I find myself no longer carrying many of these Knives (on my Belt) basically for two reasons. Reason one is, the knife is just too large and tends to get in my way.
To remedy this, I now find myself purchasing smaller and smaller Knives over the year. That being said, my NUMERO UNO reason for my no longer carrying many of my Knives on my Belt is because (too often) the badly designed Sheaths. Now, the overall quality of many sheath appear to actually be quite good quality Leather/construction. The REAL issue with the Sheath is the "RETENTION" (or lack thereof) system.
A prime example, yesterday, I went for a little hike in my Woods and I decided to grab my "TOPS Lite Trekker Knife" (a very NICE knife) with it's (I believe) Kydex Sheath and it's "large" metal belt clip. I made sure that the Sheath's "Clip" was fully engaged on my (quality made/thick Leather Gun belt) before heading out into the Woods.
While in the Woods, I began gathering dead Wood/blow down branches etc. and began piling/constructing sort of a "Ground Blind" in one of my Hunting areas. As I bent down to pick up some more Branches, PING! Off pops the Sheath and Knife! SOB!
Lucky for me (this time) I was able to hear/see/felt the Knife as it fell off my Body. I dear say, had this happen in the Winter/Snow chances are, I would of never heard/known the Knife had fallen and I'd of lost a very nice Knife. So, I can add yet another "I CAN'T Trust carrying" Belt Knife heading for the Kit Bag. I also do NOT trust several of my Leather Sheaths that employ "Snaps" to hold the Sheath onto Belt.
In addition, too many Sheath (mostly Leather) do NOT retain the Knife in it's sheath, being waaay too easy to fall out of Sheath due to Gravity. Funny, of late, I feel most confident carrying my (INexpensive but lovely) "Wood Jewel Vuolu Little 8 Knife" as it's small size/weight keeps it out of my way. The "design" of it's Leather Sheath (with Plastic insert) SECURELY holds this knife in the sheath until one draws it out.
Of course nothing is perfect as the "dangler" style Leather Sheath of the "Wood Jewel" sort of requires (but not always) a "two Hand" operation to withdraw the knife, that is to say, one Hand holding the Sheath securely and one Hand withdrawing the Knife grasping with Handle. That being said, thus far, I have found this little Wood Jewel Vuolu 8 Knife "SYSTEM approach" to now be my carry preference. I would love to hear your experiences regarding Knife carry/retention stories (be it good or bad). Suggestions/recommendations welcome! Thanks.
HARDBALL
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