Machete Sheath Style Preference: Out-The-Top, or Out-The-Side?

What style of machete sheath do you prefer?

  • Out the top

    Votes: 21 61.8%

  • Out the side

    Votes: 8 23.5%

  • No preference

    Votes: 5 14.7%
  • Total voters
    34
FortyTwoBlades

FortyTwoBlades

Baryonyx walkeri
Dealer / Materials Provider
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I'll be designing some sheaths for a handful of IMACASA machetes soon and would value input: what style do you personally prefer?

Out-the-top:
292099680_10226863676846402_3831828292225386591_n.jpg


Out-the-side:
sheath-for-tramontina-18-bush-machete-4.gif
 
If it’s kydex I like out the top, if it’s leather I like out the side, especially if the machete isn’t completely straight. I have two leather ones that are out the top but with the shape (1 parang and 1 golock) I believe I would prefer out the side due to the shape and slight “sticky ness” of the blade on leather. I would imagine the length of the machete might cause a preference as well. My $.02
 
Bobthebrewer said:
If it’s kydex I like out the top, if it’s leather I like out the side, especially if the machete isn’t completely straight. I have two leather ones that are out the top but with the shape (1 parang and 1 golock) I believe I would prefer out the side due to the shape and slight “sticky ness” of the blade on leather. I would imagine the length of the machete might cause a preference as well. My $.02
Click to expand...

In this case we're talking HDPE, which has the flexibility of hard leather.
 
I see two voiced opinions for side but only one vote in the poll. Do please remember to cast a vote in the poll, if you can!
 
Generally out the top, but that out the side would be great for my Incolma bolo machete

My only experience is with looser fitting sheaths where the machete basically just drops right in though, so I'm not sure what I'd prefer with something that fits the blade more.
 
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The out-the-top type with the HDPE is a nice snug fit. You can hold the sheath upside down and shake it with moderate vigor without causing the machete to shift.
 
Side (the blades requires less movement to sheath and remove, also more exposure to air for drying).
Top (for unusual circumstances like - attached to a pack or inside the pack, potentially easier withdrawal / re-sheath).

Only principal limitation I can think off top of my head, Side typically requires a strap&snap of some type in the ricasso area where-as Top can rely on gravity (so long as not designing for Space Force).

Answer (like all good answers) application dependent.
No bubble, No vote (sorry :-(
 
Spey said:
Side (the blades requires less movement to sheath and remove, also more exposure to air for drying).
Top (for unusual circumstances like - attached to a pack or inside the pack, potentially easier withdrawal / re-sheath).

Only principal limitation I can think off top of my head, Side typically requires a strap&snap of some type in the ricasso area where-as Top can rely on gravity (so long as not designing for Space Force).

Answer (like all good answers) application dependent.
No bubble, No vote (sorry :-(
Click to expand...
For the purposes of this survey, this would fall under the umbrella of "no preference" in that, depending on your application, either may be suitable. Cutting dies are expensive, and so I shan't be able to offer both unless they're more popular than I expect by a significant margin. :)
 
"no preference" selected and Cast.

Generally, I would choose "side", as over the decades have had an affection to side/top on the the ColdSteel Kukris line for example.
But, honestly no preference without known application :)

Look forward to seeing where this goes (blade & sheath ;-)
Which model IMACASA machete ?
 
Straighter the blade, out the top is fine. Curvy stuff like longer kukris, pangas, recurves, etc...., I like a side break.
 
In most circumstances, I prefer out of the top as all of the out of the side I've had required another retention strap and that usually annoyed my as it always seemed to be in the way when the work required walking between work areas, like trimming back trails in the summer. It's small, but out of the top work fine and, for the most part, I don't feel the need for extra retention for such a long blade unless I'm going to have it banging around in a trunk or truck bed where it may slide out.

More and more, I like ease of use for working tools.
 
Top, I sometimes make them from retired fire hose. For pruning saws too, that stuff is tough.

Parker
 
Wild Willie said:
In my opinion, so take this for what it's worth, a straighter blade is fine with an out the top, but for something with a strong curve an out the side is preferred.
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I didn't vote because , the above comment fits perfectly and reflects my preference ! :cool:

Which is whatever works the best for the specific design .

I definitely do not like any of the flimsy floppy kind , that just fold over too easy .
 
I prefer out-the-top sheaths. Less need for a retention strap that will get in the way and probably be cut when re-sheathing in a hurry. I've got traditional Latin machetes and kukris that fit well in out-the-top sheaths without issue. The less I have to focus and think when un-sheathing or re-sheathing the better.

I understand that out-the-side may be the better, or only, option for certain styles. But if I could use an out-the-top sheath for those styles then I would. Therefore I have to vote for out-the-top.

Edit: FortyTwoBlades FortyTwoBlades does this mean you'll be offering Imacasa machetes for sale through your site!?
 
oldmanwilly said:
I prefer out-the-top sheaths. Less need for a retention strap that will get in the way and probably be cut when re-sheathing in a hurry. I've got traditional Latin machetes and kukris that fit well in out-the-top sheaths without issue. The less I have to focus and think when un-sheathing or re-sheathing the better.

I understand that out-the-side may be the better, or only, option for certain styles. But if I could use an out-the-top sheath for those styles then I would. Therefore I have to vote for out-the-top.

Edit: FortyTwoBlades FortyTwoBlades does this mean you'll be offering Imacasa machetes for sale through your site!?
Click to expand...
Yes, we have a small shipment of limited models en route currently. 18" pata de cuche (No. 127) machetes, 16" guapotes, and 24" (iirc) guarizamas, along with whatever the shortest length of the cazanga pattern was, and a small quantity of some 5lb nominal (really more like 4.5lb) "round eye" axes.

It's worth noting that all snap straps on the sheaths I make can rotate and tuck behind the sheath to keep them out of the way when drawing or sheathing. It's still an extra step compared to drawing or sheathing an out-the-top, but it does mean you're not going to nick the straps in the process.
 
i say Either one !! but very strongly recommend a weep hole towards the tip ..
if it gets real dirty inside you can wash/rinse it out and the water has somewhere to go.
mine all are made of wood in the traditional way. but i add a weep hole to the bottom when building the "Scabbard"
 
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