Question on "dangler" design

[Will York]

Can anyone tell me why it is that "dangler" rings connecting the primary belt loop and the attachment typically detatch from the attachment piece and are left permanently installed on the primary belt loop? I can't see what purpose it serves to have the ring left hanging off the back side of the sheath when it's carried "Hi Ride" style.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

Will

 

[Jeepnut22]

Can anyone tell me why it is that "dangler" rings connecting the primary belt loop and the attachment typically detatch from the attachment piece and are left permanently installed on the primary belt loop? I can't see what purpose it serves to have the ring left hanging off the back side of the sheath when it's carried "Hi Ride" style.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

Will

I agree, probably depends on the maker's preference, unless the buyer explicitly requests it.

I have a Mikey Moto Dangler where the ring is attached to the belt loop. That way I can take the belt loop and the dangler ring off and strap it, or wear it up high (sorry I don't have a pic of the back, but it has 2 snaps to allow the ring to be removed).

 

[xaman]

Will,

You are correct in that it would be better to have the ring detach also. The problem is this --- generally the "lower" belt loop, the one you would use for a "mid-ride" is integrated or skived into the welt of the sheath, therefore permanently sewed in... It's functional for strength, but also aesthetic in that is keeps the top grain of the leather facing "out" all the time, rather than the rough side.

I'd sure like to see the back of Mikey's sheath, I'm guessing that it involves some sort of snap system? You can see that the loop on Phil's sheath has the rough side exposed, no big deal really, other than potentially holding more moisture???

Maybe one of the pros can give us more insight.

Great question :thumbup:

 

[Will York]

I can understand those points, and I'd like to see the back of Jeepnut's Mikeymoto sheath, also.

Wonder why no one uses a "carabiner" style ring with a threaded gate? Of the jillions of styles of these on the market, are there none that would fit the application? Seems that would preserve strength and avoid using snaps on the attachment as well as on the primary belt loop.

 

[mikeymoto]

I'm a fan of having the ring permanently attached to a fixed belt loop, which can be removed from the sheath to provide multiple carry options. The sheath Phil pictured is one of my earliest sheaths. Nowadays I don't use the flesh side of the leather on the outside, purely for aesthetic reasons. My multi-carry designs are constantly improving (or so I like to think) but unless my customer asks otherwise, I'll prefer the removable fixed belt loop and ring.

 

[mikeymoto]

By fixed belt loop I mean that the belt loop itself does not snap open but is stitched shut with the dangler ring stitched in as well.

Edit: Here are a couple examples. The first is the back of Phil's sheath. The second is a drop loop dangler, so when you remove the dangler bit you still have a drop loop sheath. The last is a modular sheath proof of concept that can attach one of several belt loops, or none for a pack sheath; it's not a dangler but the "removable attachment point" idea is similar and one I personally appreciate very much.

 

[Will York]

I'm a fan of having the ring permanently attached to a fixed belt loop, which can be removed from the sheath to provide multiple carry options.

Mike--
Thank you for that. Those look good.

Here are a couple of carabiner styles I picked up off the net to illustrate what I was wondering about. The circle I found doesn't have the screw gate, but seems it might work okay. The "Owall" style has a threaded gate and looks strong--seems like it might hang pretty well if both of the leather loops attaching to it are fairly wide, which most are (I would envision it riding at a 90 degree angle to the aspect shown below, with the top loop covering the gate and the primary sheath loop hanging off the bottom side):

 

[leatherman]

Thats why I love this place! Hogs arent afraid to ask "Why the heck do you do it that way!" This is how the craftsmen here grow in their work, those willing to listen to constructive critisism that is.

As far as the dangler (or drop leg) system goes. I normally leave it up to the customer how they want their rig to funtion. There seems to be a larger group for the permanent attatchment of the ring as well as the belt loop, some simply dont trust snaps. Others want to snap the belt loop on to their belt so they dont have to remove it to get the sheath on, which is my favorite method. I've done the snaps on the lower loop but it doesnt inspire confidence, but Mikeymoto's solution is very smart! the larger section keeps the sheath from falling off.

I really like Wills suggeston of the caribiner, it really solves the removable ring dilemma. If I can find a good strong scource I will have that as an option.

Now, that said, I dont know of any of the makers here that wont at least try to make anything that the customer wants. Even to modify as sheath to work better for them. I just did a mod for a member here that wanted to add snaps to the back of a belt loop to allow the sheath to be put on without removing the belt. I can see it being simple to modify an exsisting dangler sheath with either snaps or a caribiner if the customer wants it.

Again, THANK YOU Will! Its discussions like this that makes us all grow as makers and users!

 

[Will York]

Thanks for your comments, Dwayne. You've made some of the most innovative contributions to sheath design of anyone, and I appreciate your comments and your positive attitude. One of my favorite things you have done was a very simple touch--putting the keeper strap through that little single slot in the front side of the belt loop so the keeper itself can be unsnapped from around the knife handle and then drawn through that slot with the snap end acting as a stop, taking the keeper out of the way of the edge as the blade is removed. I also really appreciate the rugged construction of your sheaths.

Glad to hear my caribiner idea wasn't so off the wall, after all.

 

[leatherman]

Thank you Will, I am honored.

I might have to break down and have a field test on a caribiner accessorized dangler sheath, gotta find someone that uses that style often enough so it doesnt take a year to test it out properly. Texas legal blades look a little funky with a drop leg sheath.

 

[Will York]

Thank you Will, I am honored.

I might have to break down and have a field test on a caribiner accessorized dangler sheath, gotta find someone that uses that style often enough so it doesnt take a year to test it out properly. Texas legal blades look a little funky with a drop leg sheath.

Looks to me like the shape of the caribiner is going to be crucial to its success. Just from the two shapes above, I can see that the circle would be easy to engage/disengage but would offer less security. The oblong one would offer max security but would be a bear to remove a stiff strap/loop from because it would have to flex around the end of the gate in a very narrow bend. Maybe somebody makes a little shorter pivot arm on a caribiner? The strap thickness of the loop won't require much space to pass through, and a wide, stiff strap will provide much of its own security against slipping out.

I'll be interested to see what you come up with--thanks, Dwayne!

Will