Rank Newbie: Need weak side IWB fixed blade

C

carlson

Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
7
I'm a small-framed guy (5' 8" or so) and about 165 pounds. I am also poor (let's just say I work in secondary education :o . I'm looking for a blade that I can carry comfortably IWB on my weak side. Probably have to go with a 3" blade -- maybe a bit more if possible but has to be concealable and comfortable. Primarily for self defense, but I sure like a blade I can use as a working blade, too. I'd like to stay under a hundred, and a hundred would be a stretch. Like to have a kydex sheath that also allows horizontal carry. Any suggestions you veterans would care to share with me would be much appreciated. I thank you in advance!

I have a CCW and carry on my strong side either IWB or in pocket (or both).
 
I'm primarily into firearms, but I have always loved blades though I don't have a large collection. My edc is a SOG mini x-ray replaced once in a while with a S&W (I know, I know, but this particular model is a pretty decent knife) 2000 Milennium Swat model folder. My pride and joy is a four and a half inch custom made drop point hunter with Damascus steel, a custom formed sheath, a caribou handle, and bronze fittings. It's a bit over nine inches in length overall, so it's too big for edc IWB carry. Wish I had a camera :) Wish I knew how to post pics :confused:

Back in the 80's I took a course with Tom Brown, so I feel kind of nostalgic about his Scout knife. It's about the right size in terms of blade length and overall length, but I feel it's a bit too wide and a bit too heavy for IWB or horizontal carry for SD (might work small of the back). As mentioned, I also would like the knife to be capable of being used for everyday chores -- I live on a small acreage in a sparsely populated area of Missouri.

Why the CCW and the interest in carrying a fixed blade? Cause I am going to retire in a couple years and move back to the city. Thus, I am training for those future years -- honing my skills, carry methods, and the like before I move back to civilization, so to speak (also before I get too old to -- here comes the pun -- "cut" the mustard ;)).

Can you help me with some possibilities -- there's sure a bewildering array of choices out there! Many thanks!
 
Lots of Bark Rivers in that size range- great quality, good sheath availability, strong enough without being too heavy.

You're right, though, LOTS of possibilities- have fun choosing!
 
Out of your price range, but check out Bob Dozier's offerings at www.dozierknives.com He makes one of the best horizontal sheathes and there are quite a few models that should fit your qualifications.
 
Hey Guys..

Carlson...

The problem with carrying IWB production knives is that 9 times out of 10 the sheaths won't support a decent, comfortable IWB carry..

This is the time when you pick a knife you want to carry, then get a custom IWB sheath made for it...

There are lots of knives that are worthy of IWB carry, however only a handful that will do it properly with the factory supplied sheath, even it it is meant to be carried IWB, the factory rarely gets it right...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
I just purchased a Extrema Ratio Shrapnel. It is a bit more than what you are looking for but I've seen a thread on this knife and there were some photos posted that showed it could be carried comfortably IWB, horizontal, as well as vertical belt carry. It is a great looking knife (well to me it is!) and I am looking forward in receiving it and adding it to my EDC collection.
 
yeah, what he said, ER Shapnel, Excelent knives. STRIDER WP's with G10 handles are great too. But my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE KNIFE right now is the BLACKHAWK KALISTA!!!!! You can get it from new graham knives for around $100. It seem to be everything you're looking for. It comes with the TCCS carry system. I wrote more detailed about it here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4566948#post4566948 But basicly you can cary the knife concealed 100's of different ways. The Handle of the Kalista is flat and G10. It has a normal knife sized handle but a shorter, around 3 or so inch blade. so you have all the grip and control of I big knife with a nice handle, with the concealibility of a shorter blade. But the Blade is by no means small. It's 3.2 I think and it's real wide. It's totally made specificly for SD by Micheal Janitch and his MBC (Martial Blade Concepts. If you go to http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=15KL You caan check it out. accually here's a Video Demo http://www.blackhawkvideos.com/videos/knives/kalista.html From what you said your needs where I think this knife would be perfect for you. I Love it. Love it. Love it.
 
Yeah Dude. I just watched the Video for the KALISTA AGAIN and it just maked me want to buy another one. I have all kinds on knives. BMs,Spydies, Striders ect, and this KALISTA is my favorite knife. It seems to be exactly what you're looking for. Unless you don't like blace or something, well you can easily put a nice satin finish on it in about an hour. But in my Opinion it is the ABSOLUTE PERFECT KNIFE for this type of knife and these applications. the only thing that could be a factor would be just personal prefrence of esthetics, but technicially and scientificly it is a Bulls-Eye. Here's the Video link again http://www.blackhawkvideos.com/videos/knives/kalista.html
 
MVF, I will definitely take a look at Bark River knives -- thanks.

Mongo -- Dozier sure looks worth a look no doubt -- 'preciate it.

Normark, don't be surprised if you get a pm from me one of these days with the specs of my knife or, if necessary, I'll send the knife to you for a custom sheath.

mauiblue -- Extreme Ratio Knife? Yeah, gotta check it out!

Killerskill, most definitely sounds like I need to check out the Blackhawk Kalista. Don't like black? Man, I love black! This really sounds promising!

Gentelmen, I am most appreciative of you guideance -- thank you truly!

:o Dang, I'm definitely gonna have to get a better username :D
 
Blackhawk Kalista is what you want..without a doubt. Comes with a special concealable sheath kit. If you want a folder, probably an emerson cqc 8 or combat karambit.
 
Carlson, I almost forgot to ask.... does "Rank Newbie" mean you don't bathe?;) :D

Welcome to Blade Forums by the way.:p
 
Mongo,
So, waht is thees, uh, bathink thingk. What doss eet mean? Een my country being called a "rank newbie" is great honor -- truly! It ees akeen to other sayings such as "may your camel leeve long time," etc. Perhaps more well known here, yes? :D

Uh, since I haven't gotten any responses since I posted this, I thought perhaps I may have inadvertently stepped on some toes with my attempt at humor. I assure you, I meant to disparage no one! Since I don't have a cool user name and haven't posted much, I was trying to make up for it with an attempt at humor. I assure you that while -- like everyone, due to our unique life experiences, I do have biases (homemade cake versus Hy-Vee) -- I am not an ethnically prejudiced person. I was just tryin' to getta smile.

Seriously, the Blackhawk Kalista looks absolutely magnificent -- love the accessories, too! I may well purchase one. The only thing I have a concern about is, well, it looks like a bad a$$ SD knife, and I do worry about the LEO community coming down on me harder than if I was discovered to be carrying a less lethal looking IWB blade? The dimensions are right on, I love the blade, the thinness of the handle, the overall concealability, and, as I mentioned man, ya gotta love those cool carry options included with the knife. Bottom line: Is the fact that this is obviously not a rather inocuous looking hunting or work knife a problem to you guys who carry such blades edc?

Thanks for the welcome -- I sure do appreciate it! :)
 
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