need suggestions on fixed blades with horizontally mountable belt-sheaths

D

dennis75

Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
820
hi guys,

i'm looking to get me a new fixed blade to replace my Buck 119. i was looking at knives like the Striders, SOG Seal Knife 2000 and the Ka-Bar Next Gen., but their sheaths seem only suitable for the usual vertical carry, whether on belt or boot. but thing is, i'm tired of the usual vertical sheaths dangling around my hip and poking me in the stomach whenever i crouch or climb a tree......

what i'm looking for is an outdoors/combat/fighting fixed blade with a blade-length of at least 6.5", pref. around 7"-8", that i can carry horizontally on my belt (on belt, either on my back or front). problem is, i've been browsing lots of websites and catalogs already and i just can't seem to find any 'serious and large' fixed blades that come with a leather/nylon/kydex-sheath that allows horizontal belt-carry. and everytime when i finally think i've found one, it's always some tiny mini-fixed blade with a bladelength of 4" or so, which is simply too small.

so i'd appreciate some help in finding something like a "SOG Seal 2000 kind-of-knife" or similar, with a sheath that can be mounted horizontally along the belt. can you name some brands/models?

additionally, please no suggestions for custom-on-request special-order kind of stuff, no shoulder-harnesses, etc.

production or semi-custom knives only, the stuff that i can actually find and afford easily (i'm in The Netherlands).

your help and suggestions will be much appreciated!

tia,
dennis
 
Howdy!

I don't think you will find alot of knifes in the 7" blade range with sheath systems specifically designed for horizontal carry. IMO, this is because the overall length makes them a bit less desireable to carry in that manner for the average person. That having been said, almost any knife sheath can be modified to allow for horizontal carry. The more 'holes & slots' found in the sheath design, the easier it is to do though.

Here's a link to the Cold Steel ODA:

http://www.coldsteel.com/38dac.html

This knife can be found cheaper on-line at other sites ($55 - $65) but the Cold Steel site gives you a picture of the sheath in the illustration. Take a look at the amount of holes & slots - a little creativity is all that's needed to rig the knife for horizontal carry. There are other manufacturer's as well - K-bar being one of them (they make a great kydex sheath). Many of these sheaths are compatible with the tek-lok (sp?) system too...

Good hunting!!!
 
thanks JGD, do you happen to know which model(s) from Ka-Bar come with a horizontal sheath?

dennis
 
I know that the Tom Brown Tracker has a horizontal sheath, jensen's EVO knives (www.jenseneliteblades.com), and a few others. Those are the ones I know right off the bat, and they arent that small of a knife. The EVO I think is bigger than the Tracker. Hope this helps...

Lee
 
If you find the knife you want but you can't get it with the sheath you want go custom...The feel and function of the knife are what's important. Contact me direct if want a custom leather horizintal sheath.

Charlie
 
thanks alot for your suggestions guys. i'll 'consume' all the information and see what i decide later on. i think i need some days sleep on this one choice.....

thanks again!

dennis
 
Dennis, you misunderstand, they aren't really 'horizontal sheaths' - they are just easy to modify. You will need some paracord or the like. As for K-bar, I'm refering to their kydex sheaths specifically.
 
JGD, yes i understand now (finally! :-).....) that you mean that the sheath has lots of holes and slits for attaching cord and stuff. i've also come to understand now that Kydex sheaths can often be upgraded with a Tek-Lok.

i'm currently looking at my Buck 119's sheath to see if i can make it a 'horizontaller', but it looks hopeless :-).

i'm stil orientating between all the various suggestions now (pointed out here on BF, and also on KF). i'm eyeing TOPS-knives right now.........

i hope i can find something soon, which should not be too expensive and/or too hard to obtain. (the whole idea of trying to get a custom sheath made for a specific knife i already own just sounds like too much trouble to me, since i live in Holland and it would involve lots of shipping and customs-hassles). i noticed CRKT has some too, the Kasper/Crawford and the Stiff Kiss. and i saw Bud Nealy's Specialist by Boker, with the MCS-sheath system.............decisions, decisions.

darn it, i just need something cheap and pedestrian that can be worn horizontal without too much trouble :-). if only i lived in the USA........

any1 wants to place a bet if i can alter the Buck 119's sheath? heheh :cool:

keep the suggestions coming, my list of bookmarks of websites i need to read is growing.

PS. pardon me if i sound totally ignorant about sheaths, Tek-Loks and what not, but i don't have much experience with fixed blades. in fact, currently my only 1 is a Buck 119 :-D

grtz
denn
 
Al Mar SERE Operator makes a pretty cool sheath system that mounts any way you want, even upside down...Mines S30V, about $160
 
I know you are specifying a larger than 4" knife, but you owe it to yourself to check out Bob Dozier's offerings. I have yet to find a better horizontal sheath maker than him. Oh, and his knives are tops too! I think even his smaller knives cut like much bigger knives. I am currently toting a Dozier straight personal, a sub 3" blade, and it is more than enough knife for just about any cutting purpose. I'm sure Mr. Dozier could do a horizontal sheath for one of his larger knives for you, all you got to do is ask. Check out www.dozierknives.com You cannot be disappointed!
 
ditto the dozier recommendation. he can make a horiziontial kydex sheath for left or right handers for probably any fixed blade. and btw, if you are right handed and have a left handed dozier kydex sheath, it is a nice carry method for small of the back
 
Bobs shop has made horizontal (actually they are near horizontal) sheaths for 5" blades. However, it may not work on certain blades that have a larger or oversized guard area. Or even if the have a very wide width overall. Go to their web site for more info and pics at www.dozierknives.com

If you really want to tote a big knife for tactical applications,then you may want to look at the kydex work of Robert Hummelbaugh at www.survivalsheath.com/sheaths/index.htm His work includes chestrigs and vertical back carry!

Correction on addy duly noted. :)

N2
 
thanks guys, the AMK SERE Operator and Bob Dozier is noted on the wishlist.
i'm currently eyeing TOPS knives, seem like a good idea to buy one. i'll definitely have to check out if Dozier can help me out to rig a KM-12 with a horizontal sheath :eek: :cool:

grtz
denn
 
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