Scout carrying large knife

L

Logan5219

Joined
Jun 27, 2014
Messages
95
Is scout carrying a large knife (i.e 12 inch blade with a 5.2 inch handle) practical in the field ?
 
My guess would be no, due to the tip and handle sticking out on both sides....
Might get snagged on things and bushes you walk by... "unless you are more than 20 inches over the shoulders that is......" lol....
 
You're in the size range for a good baldric setup with that length. My experience with scout carry is limited to a Tops TB1 Tracker , but it's relatively compact length and hefty weight make it ideal for scout carry. Anything longer would be a no go for my build, and I'm not exactly small.
 
My "large" knife, when I was going for week(s) long backpacks was a 4 inch puukko. I carried it in the top right side pocket of my backpack so I could reach it over my shoulder. A SAK in my pocket tethered to my belt. No need for a huge knife; it just shows you're an amateur in the woods IMHO.
Rich
 
Baldric rig is probably your best bet, unless it's light enough to belt carry. I've comfortably carried knives and khukuri up to 25 ounces on my belt clearing brush. Cross draw works well as the blade gets longer. But, you hit a certain weight where your belt will lose the battle with gravity. That's when the baldric steps in.
 
It may be true where you live but I live in a literal jungle known as Malaysia so I need a large knife to clear bush, split wood and chop trees.
 
Rich S said:
My "large" knife, when I was going for week(s) long backpacks was a 4 inch puukko. I carried it in the top right side pocket of my backpack so I could reach it over my shoulder. A SAK in my pocket tethered to my belt. No need for a huge knife; it just shows you're an amateur in the woods IMHO.
Rich
Click to expand...

Maybe for the most part. I've talked with enough experienced guys on the board(including SAR) and I have used big knives enough(I was SAR too ;)) in my woods to know they're not solely the domain of the inexperienced.

OP: baldric is probably your best bet. If you use a strap that can be cinched down you can also move the strap to your waste and carry it like a saber. This is nice for around camp so it doesn't flop around when you're bending over.
 
In a malaysian jungle a machete or really large knife might be best; but I was talking about hiking/backpacking in the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mts.
Rich
 
You could go the Crocodile Dundee carry style and have it down your back if its a little too big for the scout carry. 😀
 
It depends how wide you are if it sticks past your hips I'd say that would get annoying real fast walking through the woods
 
I don't know what you'd do with a 12 inch knife other than dig and chop roots and maybe scare people. A folder such as a SAK Spartan is all I've ever needed outdoors except during hunting season. Having something on hand to turn screws, open bean and sardine cans, undo knots, cut steak and marshmallow sticks, butter bread etc is plenty for fledgling Scouts.
 
300Six, he's referring to a method of carry for a knife... the "Scout" carry.

See post #8 for his needs and intended uses.
 
I tried scout carry with my bk7--I was on a 9 mile hike in the high desert/ Angeles National Forest. It as ok in the beginning, but pretty uncomfortable over all. For large fixed, a 7" blade is usually my norm, and I prefer belt carry on my right side, either slung low or on a dangler with the bottom of the sheath secured to my leg.
 
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