River City Sheath's Southern Comfort

Back to the original posting: would you mind explaining more about the process of removing the pins and escutcheon plate? I picked up an Ontario Fortress a while back, and immediately sent it off to Mike for a Southern Comfort sheath, configured for left-handed carry. Although I live in San Francisco, and don't need the hassles I'd deal with were I to carry it on a daily basis, I'm very pleased with both the knife and Mike's brilliant sheath.

But I think that Ontario mis-stepped with the giant shiny studs and engraved plate, and the photos at the top of this thread demonstrate clearly that its work the work to get rid of 'em. So how'd you do it? What's lurking under there? Was there an unfinished patch behind the plate? Did you pull out the pins or grind them down? If you pulled them out, were holes left behind? And I understand that the handle may be made of a synthetic rather than wood; was that a factor in the sanding and staining process?

Inquiring minds want to know (and frugal minds are more interested in tweaking an old knife than buying a new one)! Any advice you can provide will be very much appreciated!
 
Hi folks,

I have an Ontario Hell's Belle in Mike Sastre's Southern Comfort, and wear it around my 'ranch' every day. Last week, before heading off on my daily 2 mile run, I decided to take it with me, and see how the rig carried under those conditions...just to see what happened, and for the sheer fun of it!

Note that this is all dirt track running, not completely off-track, but there are some big washouts, as well as creek crossings requiring some jumping. The whole circuit is up and downhill, and the downhill was a good test, as some of it is steep. For this particular test, I also did the run in hiking boots, thinking this might add just a little more 'jarrring' to the downhill sections due to boot weight, and the lack of smoothness from proper cross-country trainers...so, a good test for retention.

(Oh, and I also had my Mastiff on a lead during this run, as she has a minor injury, and is meant to be taking it easy ... so her usual off-leash temptations to chase wildlife, and race my Doberman, added some 'sugar and spice' to the test too.)

Well, the first day I tried this, the knife stayed in the sheath fine, and despite the fact that the Southern Comfort is a 'floating' system, the whole rig did not move much throughout the run - it probably only required gentle repositioning a half dozen times throughout the 2 miles.

I was so impressed that the next day, I tried the rig in full 'Comfort-mode': IWB, with the Belle's handle under my t-shirt ... again, just to see what would happen, and to test the limits of how comfortable it might be in this situation. Result? Same as day 1: the Southern Comfort barely moved, and the Belle stayed safe and sound.

I don't plan on running with my Hell's Belle / Southern Comfort every day - these tests were just to put the rig in a bit of an 'extreme' situation and see how it would fare. I've got to admit, despite my experience in wearing it daily, I was not prepared for how it rode so well during these rough-track runs.

If you've ever had any doubts about the safety, ease-of-carry, or concealment of a large knife in Mike's Southern Comfort, I hope this story puts your mind to rest!

Stay sharp.
 
I have a C.S. Laredo and a Fortress Ontario Bagwell set up with Mr. Sastre's Southren Comfort Kydex sheaths- they are great sheaths- very fast to draw and Ez to carry. Ez to conceal.

He provided great service and was very willing to give help and advice to a newbie (me) trying to learn about Bowie's.

Highly reccomend Mr Sastre and his work for any knives.

The Ontario Bagwell's are very fast and deadly great looking production blades- sorry they went out of print. I wish Mr Bagwell and a American company could bring them back. Perhaps in carbon steel?
 
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I have got 2 of mike neck sheaths in kydex,these fit the spydie endura,these are super for a neck setup quality work........
 
I have always said this and I am far from the first but when men carried big knives they carried them sash style not dangleing on a sheath slapping them on there leg. Men rode horses and did a hell of lot of walking carrying blades this way..

Mike makes the best Kydex sheaths there are in this style thats a fact

Backcutter great stuff
 
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