long blade carry

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PayetteRucker

Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
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I have a couple of questions for you folks... when packing your bugout bags and your 9-10 inch knives or machetes, what's your preferred method of big blade carry? I have an awesome spot on my Mountainsmith bag and MOLLE sure does make life easy, but most machetes are lacking in the sheath department. If you could choose, would you use a cordura sheath, molded plastic or kydex, or leather? And what's your preffered mounting method? Horizontal or vertical carry and how far down the blade? With or without handle retention straps? It seems as though there's a severe shortage in quality machete sheaths and I'm trying to get a feel for where the niche is.
 
I made this one about four years ago. It's made from PVC pipe, heated and pressed, like kydex. I made a paracord baldric for it. I took this pics when I finished it, and I'm still using the same machete and sheath. Used it today as a matter of fact. The sheath doubles as a cutting board. It has held up to some heavy misuse. The fit is still tight, it's not going anywhere unless you pull it out.
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1162589375-ont2.jpg
 
I'm thinking about making some, got a work bench set up and some 1000D and scrap leather sitting around so I was just wondering what general designs you guys are looking for. If I can make a prototype maybe we could get some of our pants pros to reproduce them in larger numbers.
 
I usualy just carry mine strapped on my belt, with a leg tie. I like to carry my large blade on my person that way I still have it if seperated from other gear.

However this is easy for me since my pack does not use a waist belt. (never did get a taste for those things)

My large blades are either my 10" bowie, Koster Survivor, or my H.I. M-43 Kukri.

If I take my Estwing 44a hatchett I attach it to my pack.

Inj a bugout situation where I'm going off grid for a considerable length of time I may attach the kukri to the pack and wear the bowie as well. In a long term situation I would also include a pocket chainsaw.
 
I like having my primary knife on my person. That is usually one i made, or a Trailmaster. I have Iwb sheaths for both, as they are often EDC items.

A Kukri or machete may get attached to a shoulder bag or pack, but i want at least one decent fixed blade handy.
 
Thunderhorse said:
How did you heat the PVC?
Click to expand...

I boiled water in a tall pot and put the pipe section in there. I read that you don't want to heat it too much or it'll burn the pvc. Boiling did the trick for me, but I had to flatten it quick, because it did cool down fast.


Fishshooter - I like that idea of a drilling a hole through the corner. I was never happy with how to strap it to the pack. Never thought of that! :thumbup:
 
When I am out and about I just where them on my belt. Never let me down before, and doubt it would start now :)
 
I just pop them on my belt, but I'd love to see someone whip up a universal MOLLE sheath for lasing to a pack. If not MOLLE, then I'd use kydex if it were availabe, with my next preferences being leather, then regular (non-MOLLE) nylon. I think that drawing on historical sword belt designs could yield nice results as well--something with a two-point suspension. :cool::thumbup:
 
The PVC pipe sheath is a great idea for machetes. I will make one for the ATV, and my neighbor will want one for his too. Thanks for the great tip fishshooter:thumbup:
 
chopchop said:
I boiled water in a tall pot and put the pipe section in there. I read that you don't want to heat it too much or it'll burn the pvc. Boiling did the trick for me, but I had to flatten it quick, because it did cool down fast.


Fishshooter - I like that idea of a drilling a hole through the corner. I was never happy with how to strap it to the pack. Never thought of that! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I've got a few holes in mine now. Sometimes I'll wrap some cordage around the sheath, or piggyback a BK11 on it, and I use the other holes for attachment points.
 
I carry mine vertically on the side of my pack like fishshooter. Knife on one side, axe on the other side.
Scott
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I just pop them on my belt, but I'd love to see someone whip up a universal MOLLE sheath for lasing to a pack. If not MOLLE, then I'd use kydex if it were availabe, with my next preferences being leather, then regular (non-MOLLE) nylon. I think that drawing on historical sword belt designs could yield nice results as well--something with a two-point suspension. :cool::thumbup:
Click to expand...

I'm in the process of making one right now-a belt and bandoleer with a chest mounted 7 inch blade and a small-of-back horizontal carry 10 inch machete sheath built into a leather buttpack. Will be mounting my bed/tent roll along the bandoleer across my back with a forest axe stuck down the middle of it. I have a conceptual picture I drew up on paint, it's pretty pathetic but will give you an idea of the overall primative kit I'm going for. A two point MOLLE sheath is kinda what I'm wondering, for attaching alongside a MOLLE pack, although it seems like most of you just carry your machetes on your belts.

back.jpg
there's the back
primativekit.jpg
there's the front
like I said it's just a quick general drawup to show the possibilities. I designed a hardcase for a 4 piece pack rod, a primative quiver and a padded leather camera bag as well. My hopes are for this to be a completely modular outdoor/adventure rig that will keep me more mobile/maneuverable than a pack, that also allows faster, easier access to gear.
 
Not a bad concept Payette.

Bedroll idea is very similar to a swag.

Depending on how much equipment you plan on carrying in the butpack you may want to equip it with suspenders. Or modify an existing lumbar pack.

Just for laughs I just checked my 10 inch bowie for horizontal carry. I'm surprised it is do able without sticking out too far on both sides. I like to keep my load narrow so that it doesn't interfere with my arms or catch on brush.
 
wildmike said:
Not a bad concept Payette.

Bedroll idea is very similar to a swag.

Depending on how much equipment you plan on carrying in the butpack you may want to equip it with suspenders. Or modify an existing lumbar pack.

Just for laughs I just checked my 10 inch bowie for horizontal carry. I'm surprised it is do able without sticking out too far on both sides. I like to keep my load narrow so that it doesn't interfere with my arms or catch on brush.
Click to expand...

As do I, nothing like fighting burn area slash on a billy goat trail along a near-vertical face of a mountain and getting caught up on everything. When this is the kind of terrain you're trying to cross, low profile is huge, which is one of the main reasons I designed this rig.
IMG_4448.jpg


Having my gear accessible, with the weight distributed all along my body instead of hanging from a big high profile pack on my back is going to make all the difference in the world. The machete I am looking for would be similar to the Newt Livesay Rapid Deployment machete, just a 10 inch blade that I can use for bushwacking or on-the-go chopping. It doesn't need to be a big 28 inch el salvador machete, I don't think it would be very high profile. Nessmuk inspired this entire kit, that and accumulating ideas here and there from other primative societies and their day to day rustic life. I think I'm going to sit down with a needle tonight and crank out something that resembles a useable 2+ point MOLLE nylon sheath.
 
Let us know how the project goes Payette. At a glance, I think it will be much more obtrusive to wear than a pack. Just too much stuff going on, on all sides. With it all in a pack you can take it off and sit down for a break or whatever.

I'm working on some ideas for my ESEE Lite Machete. I'd like to be able to attach it vertically to the side of my pack. One issue that happens on a lot of packs is that the whole side is molle webbing, but if you mount much to it, you lose the ability to cinch it down much with compression straps.
 
Grr, sorry for the picture size, again... photobucket is super buggy. It's huge after resizing it. PB is really makin me mad lately
 
Payette

I think your on the right track with the 10 inch chopper. If ya wanted to blow the dough the new ESEE Junglas is a good design with a bangup sheath.

I carry my 10 inch bladed bowie for that purpose myself. If I think things are gonna be more serious then I take my H.I. M-43 kukri. That thing served me exceptionaly well over a several year extended cmping trip. I did everything with it from cutting firewood to building many shelters and two trappers cabins.

One of the reasons I picked up my old heavy Swiss mountian ruck is the load is kept narrow and low (unless the collar on the pack is extended). It is also easy to shrug off due to the lack of a waistbelt.

I too have found it expedient to make and modify gear. There just isn't anyone making the kind of kit that I envision. Besides it is fun.

Your pics are makin me jealous. Your blessed to be livin where I want to be. Just about ready to throw my stuff in my ruck and relocate. This area where I'm living is a real hell hole.
 
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