- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 2,101
In April 2006, I was introduced to the baldric rig when Reid (Sharpshooter) taught me how to construct one out of paracord at PWYP. Simple in design, easy to use and comfortable to wear, the baldric rig became my standard way of carrying a knife or chopping tool when belt carry was not convenient. For over 10 years I guided kayaking and canoeing trips. I still venture out on the water and I still encounter the same problem. On trips like these, I often struggle carrying a belt knife when I wear board shorts without belt loops. During winter excursions in the North woods of New England, bulky winter clothing usually covers my pants belt and again, access to a belt knife is not easy. In situations like these, the baldric rig is ideal for carrying a knife in a ready position over clothing. However, as great as the paracord baldric is, there is room for improvement. Sharpshooter Sheath Systems found that room made those improvements.
Basic Paracord Baldric
Sharpshooter Sheath Systems Leather Baldric Rig
I was recently sent a new leather baldric rig by Sharpshooter Sheath Systems for testing and evaluation. Having experience with the paracord variety, I have a good standard to judge the leather version against. Immediately upon opening the package it arrived in, I could tell the leather was of the utmost quality. Supple and soft yet surprisingly strong and durable, the baldric was double stitched and had nicely finished edges with no sharp angles. The finish virtually eliminated any hotspots that may have otherwise presented themselves. The immediate impression I had when I shouldered the new Baldric is the upgrade in comfort. The leather baldric is wider and therefore spreads out the weight of the item carried over a larger surface area. The leather baldric also drapes nicely over the shoulder and is easily adjusted. Contrary to a paracord baldric that requires retying knots to vary the carry height, the leather baldric adjustment is quick and easy with a dime or small screw driver. Even a thin stock knife spine could unscrew the black hardware although I dont condone using a knife for anything other than its intended purpose.
I took the baldric out to my favorite bushcrafting practice area and to my familys property and tried carrying a variety of tools on it. From my 24/7 woods knife, the BRKT Fox River, to the Barktario Machete, to a standard Ontario model 1-18 machete and onto the Fiskars 14 hatchet, the baldric carried all with relative comfort. Obviously, the more weight slung over the shoulder, the less comfortable the rig becomes. Considering larger chopping tools are more likely carried in winter conditions when splitting wood is necessary to access dry wood, I am not too concerned with the added discomfort. The way I see it, extra layers of clothing would provide more padding and thus mitigate the discomfort level. During clearing of green vegetation and cutting of bindweed and grapevine for cordage making, the rig rode securely. I was concerned the rig would swing wildly while swinging and snap cutting but to my surprise, it didnt. Yet when kneeling down to pick up my mess of chopped vegetation, the rig was easy to swing behind my back and put out of the way. Throughout the course of the day, the baldric didnt create a single hotspot or painfully rubbed area.
Some might argue this leather baldric rig is bulky. To these pundits I would counter by saying it is robust and well-constructed. This rig is not for the ultra-light hiker but for the woodsbum with adventure in their heart, the busy outdoors enthusiast out for a quick hike or as some have put it, the six pack abs challenged, it is damn near perfect. The leather baldric also ads a level of style and flair to the plane Jane paracord rig. Most importantly, the baldric rig allows the woodsbum to carry a small fixed blade on their belt, a small folder in their pocket and their dedicated chopper on the off side. This frees up belt space and keeps pants from being weighed down. In addition, the Baldric Rig will ride comfortably with a daypack or with standard gear carried into the field.
In sum, the baldric is a comfortable way to carry a large bladed tool that otherwise would weigh down your pants and belt. It allows for quick and easy carry just as fast as the user can shoulder the sling. With weight being a negligible issue, the number of benefits are well worth it. If any doubt is left to the ease of carrying large blades with this system, simply shoulder one with your often left behind chopper or hatchet and carry it in comfort for the first time.
Basic Paracord Baldric
Sharpshooter Sheath Systems Leather Baldric Rig
I was recently sent a new leather baldric rig by Sharpshooter Sheath Systems for testing and evaluation. Having experience with the paracord variety, I have a good standard to judge the leather version against. Immediately upon opening the package it arrived in, I could tell the leather was of the utmost quality. Supple and soft yet surprisingly strong and durable, the baldric was double stitched and had nicely finished edges with no sharp angles. The finish virtually eliminated any hotspots that may have otherwise presented themselves. The immediate impression I had when I shouldered the new Baldric is the upgrade in comfort. The leather baldric is wider and therefore spreads out the weight of the item carried over a larger surface area. The leather baldric also drapes nicely over the shoulder and is easily adjusted. Contrary to a paracord baldric that requires retying knots to vary the carry height, the leather baldric adjustment is quick and easy with a dime or small screw driver. Even a thin stock knife spine could unscrew the black hardware although I dont condone using a knife for anything other than its intended purpose.
I took the baldric out to my favorite bushcrafting practice area and to my familys property and tried carrying a variety of tools on it. From my 24/7 woods knife, the BRKT Fox River, to the Barktario Machete, to a standard Ontario model 1-18 machete and onto the Fiskars 14 hatchet, the baldric carried all with relative comfort. Obviously, the more weight slung over the shoulder, the less comfortable the rig becomes. Considering larger chopping tools are more likely carried in winter conditions when splitting wood is necessary to access dry wood, I am not too concerned with the added discomfort. The way I see it, extra layers of clothing would provide more padding and thus mitigate the discomfort level. During clearing of green vegetation and cutting of bindweed and grapevine for cordage making, the rig rode securely. I was concerned the rig would swing wildly while swinging and snap cutting but to my surprise, it didnt. Yet when kneeling down to pick up my mess of chopped vegetation, the rig was easy to swing behind my back and put out of the way. Throughout the course of the day, the baldric didnt create a single hotspot or painfully rubbed area.
Some might argue this leather baldric rig is bulky. To these pundits I would counter by saying it is robust and well-constructed. This rig is not for the ultra-light hiker but for the woodsbum with adventure in their heart, the busy outdoors enthusiast out for a quick hike or as some have put it, the six pack abs challenged, it is damn near perfect. The leather baldric also ads a level of style and flair to the plane Jane paracord rig. Most importantly, the baldric rig allows the woodsbum to carry a small fixed blade on their belt, a small folder in their pocket and their dedicated chopper on the off side. This frees up belt space and keeps pants from being weighed down. In addition, the Baldric Rig will ride comfortably with a daypack or with standard gear carried into the field.
In sum, the baldric is a comfortable way to carry a large bladed tool that otherwise would weigh down your pants and belt. It allows for quick and easy carry just as fast as the user can shoulder the sling. With weight being a negligible issue, the number of benefits are well worth it. If any doubt is left to the ease of carrying large blades with this system, simply shoulder one with your often left behind chopper or hatchet and carry it in comfort for the first time.
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