moran sheath - withdrawal technique?

E

edb

Joined
Aug 30, 2002
Messages
740
I recently bought a Spydie Moran drop point, and
after some experimentation, decided that a cross-draw
arrangement would be the most comfortable. Mounted
on the left side of my belt, and withdrawn across
my body with my right hand.

So, I proceeded to do this, and the sheath, being
well attached to the knife (nice sheath!), hung
onto the knife until I pulled a little harder.
Then, the knife released - but unfortunately, my
left hand was hanging by my side, and the knife
proceeded to put a good slice in my left hand
index finger. Not a bad cut, but much to my
surprise...:rolleyes:

Am I just stupid when it comes to technique?
Now, I'm hesitant to mount the thing to my
belt in any fashion, because I don't want to
repeat the first incident too frequently.
I thought about holding my left hand behind my
back as I withdraw the knife, but the "sudden"
exit of the knife could just as easily lead to something
else getting sliced that I didn't intend to slice.

If I carry the knife and sheath without the
tec-loc belt attachment, I can withdraw the knife much more
predictably by pushing with my thumb on the
top edge of the sheath, so that the knife comes
out in a more controlled fashion, rather than suddenly.

Anyone else encounter this? Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
I'd say just sit and work the sheath in a bit... maybe a full day of TV and draw?

I know some kydex sheaths draw better if you put your thumb on the spine side and push the sheath away as you draw with your fingers.
 
Your thumb suggestion is basically
what I discovered works better for
me. Maybe if I just get into the habit
of holding the sheath with my left
hand as I withdraw it with my thumb
pushing on the spine side, that'll
work predictably.

The day of TV sounds like a fun
possible solution, too..:)
 
I've noticed that the Moran draws better with a pull straight up. I would guess that your cross-draw technique is putting a lot of friction on the draw and when you finally break that friction, the resulting draw is under less control. Try drawing only from your strong side for a while. You don't have to carry it this way, but you might get an idea of what I'm talking about.
Or you can just work on pulling the knife up out of the sheath without placing too much of a force on the horizontal axis.

Let me know if this helps or if you see any difference.
 
Try a sharp tug, and to prevent your hand to be cut, use your hand to hold the sheath to try and avoid cutting your hand.
 
I have carried the Moran FB on numerous camping trips and drawn it several hundred times with no incidents of blood letting. However, I also only use a straight draw with the old thumb against the spine.
 
I have numerous Kydex and Concealex holsters and knife sheaths, I can offer some insight even though I have no experience with the Moran. I agree with the others who have said to draw straight from the sheath, with a sharp tug. It need not require a great deal of force, but a sharp, sudden pull. If I gradually pull, the sheath tends to hang onto the knife/pistol, until it finally lets go in a sudden rush that is difficult to control. If I pull at an angle, the knife/gun bites into the Kydex, preventing it from wanting to slide free, until it finally lets go in the sudden rush. Leather is more forgiving, but even then, I believe it causes the leather sheath/holster to wear out more quickly if the knife/gun is pulled out at an angle other than straight out. If you want a crossdraw rig, Robert Humelbaugh of Survival Sheath Systems, Mike Sastre of River City Sheaths, or Skunkworks could make you a sheath for any draw angle you want. Or, look at the holes provided in the sheath body. It may be possible to change the angle of the draw by using different holes, or you could modify the sheath yourself, perhaps.
 
Oh, one more thing. Make sure you are wearing the sheath on a sturdy belt! The sharp sudden pull does not work if the belt "gives" during the draw. I hope this is helpful.
 
If you don't practice your withdrawal technique, would your sheath get pregnant with another Moran?

:p
 
Originally posted by Rex G
Oh, one more thing. Make sure you are wearing the sheath on a sturdy belt! The sharp sudden pull does not work if the belt "gives" during the draw. I hope this is helpful.
Click to expand...
Second that. And it better don't have slack... it lets the kydex move instead of drawing the knife.
 
Measure the hole spacing, and see if it will allow you to change the sheath to a horizontal position. Be careful with those soft screws, use a screwdriver that fits the slots EXACTLY, and once you have settled on a position, use LOC-TITE or a similar thread-locking product. If you are really lucky, the hole spacing in the sheath just might allow for an intermediate angle. Also, Kydex is very easy to drill. Just take the tek-lok with you to your friendly hardware store to get the right size, because the hole is best if snug. One warning: in heavy brush, a horizontal or canted sheath will catch on MUCH MORE brush than a vertical sheath. This is not just my observation. Steven Dick, editor of Tactical Knives magazine, has said the same in print more than once. BTW, Calyth, I love your avatar
 
Hey Guys...

edb..

First off,, Great knife purchase...

When it comes to cross draw rigs,, if I can make a suggestion.
Put your sheath into a horizontal position, set up to draw with whatever hand your want..

The suggestion of having a snug fit on your belt, is good advice..
Very important to not have a lot of slop...You'll want the sheath to not move around alot..The Tek Lok is not the best for this, although the mini Tek...

Instead of wearing your blade off to the side,slide it around to the front, and wear it in the BBC (Belt Buckle Carry) position..

For cross draw, this is the absolute safest, and most convenient place to carry a smaller knife...
Worn off to the side, your knife can be easily snatched from you.. In the BBC position you are more prone to be able to protect it from being taken, as any movement toward the males groin area, there is a natural reaction to protect this area...

Keep your blades up front and you'll see just how convenient it is..
Also remember that a synthetic sheath is much different than leather,, most knives need a slight tug to free it from the sheath...

Hope that helps..

ttyle

Eric...
 
Thanks for all the advice, guys.

I think I'll end up doing 2 things:
1. holding onto the sheath with
the other hand while withdrawing the
knife, so that I won't slice that
hand, and,
2. pushing against the spine side
of the sheath with my thumb as I
withdraw, since that really seems
to increase the, uh, predictability
of the withdrawal speed.

So far, I haven't had to concern
myself with the sheath too much,
because the knife has only
been used to slice cheese (cheese
and crackers in front of a football
game) and carve up a tenderloin:D

My wife is eyeing it for permanent
use in the kitchen, so I might
just have to get another one;)

Didn't expect so much good
advice - thanks again!
 
Ah, yes, watch out for wives! I have purchased many knives that ended up with with la esposa. Sometimes we can share; other times she adopts it for regular use and I must buy another.
 
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