LF: Waistband carry suggestions.

Emre

Emre

Joined
Nov 15, 2006
Messages
420
Hi, guys.

For years I have been carrying a typical one-hand-opening, liner-locking folder clipped to my front pants pocket. For a while now, I've favored the Lightfoot designed Microtech LCC I bought around 10 years ago. I love the size, shape, and blade geometry of the LCC. It's got a nice belly to it, has a usefully fine point for delicate work, and takes a razor sharp edge with minimal effort.

Since I've been carrying folders clipped to my pocket, I've always gone for models with clips mounted as high as possible on the handle so that the knife sits as deep in my pocket as possible. That way, it attracts little attention. My old Elishewitz designed Benchmade Stryker, for example, is the perfect knife from a carry perspective. It's just not particularly useful as a knife ;) The Extrema Ratio BF1 I recently bought from a member on this forum is another one that's been very easy to carry:

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The problem is, I'm now moving to a country where I can legally carry a folding knife...but I don't exactly want to broadcast the fact that I am. Unfortunately, pocket clips seem to have been "outed" and everyone immediately recognizes what that steel clip represents. I'm also going to be working in an environment in which belt sheaths and the like would be totally out of place. Typical work clothes would be slacks (or maybe chinos) with a tucked-in shirt.

What to do?

I've tried carrying a knife "inside the waistband" (knife in the pants, clip on the waistband, but under the belt). That seems to work reasonably well. However, none of my favorite knives can be drawn from this position...because they all sit so low! What worked so well for pocket carry is now working against me for waistband carry.

So, I guess I need to find a knife that: (1) has the clip mounted lower on the handle, so a bit of it sticks up past my waistband; (2) is relatively flat and thin from side-to-side; (3) is dark in color, including the clip; and (4) has a clip mounted for tip-up carry. I'd like to avoid overly "weapon looking" knives, which is why my Emerson Specwar B doesn't make the cut. Besides, I find chisel-ground, tanto-bladed knives a little silly anyway :o

Any suggestions? I've considered the Microtech Mini Socom Elite, but I've never handled one. What should I be looking at? What about other carry options?

Thanks for your time!

Emre
 
I saw a review for a knife earlier today that you might be interested in. It looks like an innocent pen when it's in your pocket.

(link is to a pdf file)
 
I carry mine in the waistband, under the belt, tip-down. When drawn with thumb and forefinger, grasping just the top of the knife (pivot area), it falls into my hand ready to open. If the knife is tip-up, it must be repositoned in the hand before opening.....unless you get your thumb waaaay down inside the waistband, grabing the knife as close to the pivot as possible. THEN you can draw it ready to open. Very uncomfortable and not realistic...in my opinion.

My mini-Skirmish just arrived. Tip down carry. I slipped it into the waistband. Grabbing it with thumb at the pivot (inside the waistband) and index finger on the clip (outside the wasitband), I lift up. As the entire folder clears my waistband, the weight of the knife pivots (at the pivot) between thumb and forefinger, the bottom of the knife falls into the palm of my hand, the knife is positioned for opening and use.
 
Normark said:
Why not go with a Fixed blade IWB ??
Click to expand...
Two problems with that. First of all, my primary concern is not drawing attention to the knife when I'm wearing a dress shirt tucked into slacks (without a covering garment). A knife handle sticking out of my pants would be a fairly big tip-off that there's something going on in there :D

More important, it wouldn't be legal for me to carry a fixed blade anyway. Non-auto folders are OK, though.

Emre
 
StretchNM said:
If the knife is tip-up, it must be repositoned in the hand before opening.....unless you get your thumb waaaay down inside the waistband, grabing the knife as close to the pivot as possible. THEN you can draw it ready to open. Very uncomfortable and not realistic...in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Good point. I've never carried anywhere besides my right front pocket. All I have to do is stick my thumb in the pocket the knife slides out ready to open. But I see what you're saying about how this might not be ideal for the new carry position.

This inside the waistband thing is obviously going to take some getting used to! I've been carrying pocket-clip folders the same way for over 10 years now. It's tough to break such old habits.

Emre
 
My only problems with in the pockets are:
- I carry medium to large knives (BM 975, mini-Skirmish);
- They take up alot of room;
- In my right pocket, I keep office keys and change. Even whem I'm off and not carrying the keys, to pull change out, you sometimes have to pull the knife out;
- In my left pocket, I have vehicle keys and a small Shrade slipjoint. I don;t like a knife in the way.

In the waistband is a good place. THe belt usually hides most of the clip. You never feel the knife's weight because of the load distribution of the waistband (now who would think of this???? :D ). On some rare occasions when carrying the 975, it's greater length con sometimes casue some minor discomfort, depending on how I'm sitting or kneeling, and it has worn some holes through a pair of jeans or three (over 11 years of carry). The mini-Skirm is shorter, slimmer, smoother, and with a better scale edge profile, so I don;t anticipate any problems with it.

In the waistband, right side, tip-down carry. I can think of no other way that would suit me.
 
At work I carry a Spyderco Delica 4 IWB at about 10:00. Out and about, I carry my Para-Millie in the same position. I also have a CF Caly 3 that fits well IWB, but I usually have it in RFP.
 
I've done IWB, tip down, for years. Currently, a Blackhawk Crucible occupies that spot. You might want to look into them.
 
When I think of waistband carry, the Benchmade 530 comes to mind--very light, thin, axis lock, US made, well under $100...
 
I have also found that clipping the knife to the front pocket makes it obvious you have a knife, even to non-knife people. Clipped to rear pocket stands out less, but does pose a risk to furniture. I tried using a lanyard, and sometimes still do, but the knife can get hung up on the way out, and every once it a while would begin to open. I have recently started to carry my knives in a holster, horizontally on my right side. I was amazed at how discreet this is. Even knife people failed to notice. I have holsters in black, green and tan. I like them with a plastic buckle which is easier to use than a snap and quieter than velcro.

Joe
 
I've carried a Delica inside the waistband (appendix carry) everyday for the last 7 years. The sheeple at work don't even notice and the knife is flat / thin enough that it's comfortable.
 
OK, you guys are going to laugh...but here goes.

Here's my big fear/worry with inside the waitband carry in general, and appendix carry in particular. What if the knife opens? :eek:

Seems like this could happen on the draw. Am I just being paranoid? :o

Emre
 
One of the reasons I prefer blade down carry, but maybe you are being a bit paranoid about this.
I too have carried many knives(high ride, low ride) iwb and never have had a problem regardless of which direction the blade sat.
 
Hey Guy..

Emre...

Emre said:
Here's my big fear/worry with inside the waitband carry in general, and appendix carry in particular. What if the knife opens? :eek:Seems like this could happen on the draw. Am I just being paranoid? :oEmre
Click to expand...

Nothing to laugh about..
An open folder in a pocket is a Big enough pain in the Arse..

One that close to your body is even worse!!

One way to prevent that is to carry a small fixed on a static line...
You draw the knife, once the knife clears the pants, sheath pops off and you are ready to Rock...

Re-sheath the knife and stuff it back where it belongs...

Simple and No one gets cut...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Well, all I can say is I carried a BM 975 in the waistband for nearly 10 years. I was wearing it when I hit a steer at 60mph...never braked - never saw it. The blade didn;t open. I was wearing it when I fell from the boxcar of a train. The blade didn't open. I've run, jumped, and fallen many times....it never opened.

For those who say "anything's possible"....well, for them I'd say I guess it could somehow open. It could fly from your waistband someday and kill a deer too........I suppose. It might even dress and skin him for you too, before you could get there to pick it up.
 
Hey Guys..

Stretch...

LOL

Maybe a Really stupid Question,, But :

What in the Hell were you doing in a Boxcar at 60 MPH ?

You taking Hobo Getaways or What ?

LOL

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Thanks for all the thoughtful and very helpful replies, guys. I think I'll start with a Delica/Endura or something similar (nice and flat). See how that goes for a while.

I do like Normark's idea of some sort of pouch, however. Seems like it would be more comfortable to boot.

Emre
 
Normark said:
Hey Guys..

Stretch...

LOL

.....
What in the Hell were you doing in a Boxcar at 60 MPH ?

.........
LOL

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
Click to expand...

Hey Eric,

Hehehe. The boxcar wasn't moving when I fell out of it. However, when I hit the steer, I was in a Ford Crown Vic (you know, the hood is less than 28" from the pavement?). Guess where the steer went? Yep. Into the windshield and then over the top. It was dark, a lonely highway, I was putting something away in the console (radio mic), looking down.....next thing I know I was 200 yards off the highway, in the desert, with mesquite branches all over my face and lap. THe airbag knocked me out (yeah, I can take a hit from Mike Tyson and survive). I never new what happened until the next day at the hospital.

Naw....I wasn;t messin with hobos, rather illegal aliens.....

Oh, anyway, not only did they say hitting the steer was like hitting another car, but I literally bounced and plowed through several small dunes in the desert before coming to rest. There was my BM975, in the wasitband, tip-down, still sleeping...... ((( :D )))
 
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