" How do you carry it? EDC on your person, in a pack? What do you put in the handle and why? How do you travel with it? Ship ahead or send in with the luggage? I just thought I'd ask to see how the designer and someone that travels extensively handles and deals with the needs for such a tool. I have seen many posts from others regarding handle contents and carry, but hadn't seen your take on these topics. If I have missed them please post a link. Thanks for you time and input.
OK here is the drill
1) you can't "carry on" a steel knife onto a plane. You have to check it. In some countries like Somalia or Afghanistan they pull them out of my checked luggage because they are deemed "military equipment". The greedy bastards just want to steal your stuff. BUT its important to remember how to pack. I keep my knives in my check luggage in my books or in the lining of my bag next to other steel things Harder to xray. I have a secret pocket on my pack as well.
2) I carry two DPx H•E•S•T's because I always end up giving one away to my bodyguard, a general or a warlord. That will go a lot further in allowing you to keep your remaining "user" and to making friends
3) I never display my knife. I have one of those gay looking butt bags I use primarily as a decoy (my real money and passport are not there) and a filing cabinet. If someone wants my "stuff", they get the sharp end of a HEST as a "no charge" part of the transaction.
4) If I am in the wrong part of town or in an animated conversation I will palm the HEST so its upside down with the blade pointing upward. I don't do the "Oh look he has a knife, lets shoot him in the face" knife fighting stance. You want to get up as close as you can so your assailant is staring at your face not your hands. You can guess where the first half of that blade is going to go if Roadhouse Rambo makes a move. I don't support lethal action because you will go to jail and for a very long time. A painful cuts and jabs are OK. Feel free to use the point and the "pry bar"
in extremis.
5) Do I have all kinds of tactical gew gaws (we call that look 'tactisexual" over at the Black Flag Café)? No. I keep my Becker Patrol in a UN flour sac when checking it on those Tupolev and helo flights, I wear no military or tactical gear and I keep my knife out of sight and out of mind. A knife has to be at hand, controlled and above all with you.
6) When I was kidnapped in Colombia I kept my knife around my neck with a few other critical items. I never showed it once. Here again is a good reason to carry two HESTs. One to use or have taken away and one in a pinch.
7) When I am hiking or doing leisure stuff I just attach my HEST to the pack strap, left side pry bar facing away and upwards. A friend of mine who works for Blackwater was showing me how he pimps his HEST and it was the same but using the Molle clips on the strap. Other folks have it sideways on their belt with the pry bar giving you a nice finger pull for quick extraction.
8) If I am just walking around doing my chores I just shove the knife and sheath in my backpocket or side cargo pants pocket. Nothing tricky there either. I find I use the prybar more than the blade. And somedays I use the beer opener more than the prybar. Please remember that the "beer opener" is actually a thumb guide that lets you grip down against the rear pry bar and meaty front finger curve.
9) As I mention in the instructions. The DPx H•E•S•T is YOUR knife (once you buy it) and it was designed to be customized, carried and used for what you want to do. I even encourage people to make their own handles, sheaths and mods because that's what makes the knife cool. I designed with a number of lashing points, grip points and its a great bush tool becoming an axe, gutting tool, fine point leather punch depending on how you sharpen up the choil, pry bar and even 'beer opener". The DPx H•E•S•T is already shipping with useful mods suggested by users on this very forum. So keep the ideas and love coming, it will end up coming back to you.
And I also encourage giving a HEST to those who you want to show much respect or gratitude to. It could be the beginning of a beautiful Bro' mance.
) It pays it forward and creates a community of DPx users who will recognize each other as people who know hostile places and share tips and ideas for survival and fellowship.
I CAN HAS YER HESTS?
