Sheath and carry options

shortwinger

shortwinger

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2010
Messages
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I searched for sheath and carry options but many of the posts are over a year or two old and the people are no longer around. I saw the recent post about Paul Long's sheath and was wondering if anyone else has an option that would work for me.

I originally looked into a larger knife because I wanted a sidearm that would work for me as a falconer. I carry a hawk, falcon or eagle on my left fist (the side a kukri would normally be carried) I am 5' 6" so not very tall. With the bird riding on the left fist I run into the problem of where to put the kukri.

Bill & Slide.jpg

So my question is, who is currently making custom sheaths and carry systems for kukris? As I said, I like Paul's sheaths (and will probably get one) but was wondering if any other options exist that would fit my situation. One concern with the sheaths with the open area by the spine is that dust and sand get into the opening and is nearly impossible to get out. I hate hearing the blade scratch every time you take it out.

Thanks,
Bill
 
That's an awesome hobby, Bill:)

Hawks are my favorite. I make my own sheathes (ugly but effective). If I didn't want the spine to show a la "Quick Draw", I would make it so that the spine is totally covered by the snap flap over halfway down the height of the blade. It really shouldn't be too hard for a talented sheath maker.
 
Beautiful bird!!!

The only logical place I see is to carry it on your back between your sholder blades.
This however denies "quick draw" action as you will have to swing the rig to front / side and then unlock & draw. not such a big deal if you use the khuk primary as chopper and not self defence. just my 2 cents
 
What I do most of the time is take off the frog and remove the chakma and karda as well as their holders. This makes the scabbard thinner from front to back. If the scabbard is a bit loose, I wrap the mouth of the scabbard with paracord or hemp twine, which normally tightens it up a bit. Then I just shove the scabbard through my belt, so it rides between my belt and my pants or shorts. I angle the scabbard so the curve is up, handle forward. This way I can easily and quickly remove the knife and scabbard if I get into a vehicle or want to sit down. It holds the knife at a good angle to draw it when I need it, and if my belt is properly tight, it holds the scabbard quite well.

The wrap at the top of the scabbard close to the mouth helps prevent the scabbard from sliding through the belt and falling to the ground.

IMG_5806.jpg


Andy
 
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Interesting Andrew. Could you detail a bit more about the removal of the karda and chakma holders? I've taken off the frog before, but have not been brave enough to mess with the holders, as I thought they were kinda pinned to the actual scabbard itself.

Bill, your hawk is beautiful, I'd love to try falconry some day.
 
I don't exactly know if you are looking for leather or kydex, but what I'm considering for my ASTK I will soon be getting is a thigh carry sheath system (?) from redhillsheaths.com
It costs $37 for the thigh carry attachment + the cost of the sheath. They do blades up to 20" of blade length. Sounds reasonable and they advertise a 3-4 week turnaround time, which is pretty good IMO.

Also, what type of bird is that you are holding? Looks beautiful.
 
Some other issues I have.
1. I wear a hunting vest to carry other "must have" falconry gear so a belt carry won't work, nor will a back carry or even a rear belt carry.
2. This is a very physical type of hunting. You may be shoulder deep in briars one minute, running a mile in pasture the next or climbing a tree when one of the birds catches a squirrel. The rig must be either, very flexible and be able to stay out of the way or be rigid like the thigh carry and work with my body.

So far, I think the over the shoulder rig and/or the thigh rig are the best. ( I was looking for leather but kydex may be better for a thigh rig) For the thigh rig, I think I would be limited to a kukri the size of the current issue (10" blade, maybe even a 9"). My leg isn't big enough for anything longer. But of course, a 9" kukri is more than enough unless I get attacked by a bear.

Thanks,
Bill
Virginia
btw, that is a male Golden Eagle in the pic. The white on the neck is my daughters finger print :-)
 
7rip13a said:
Interesting Andrew. Could you detail a bit more about the removal of the karda and chakma holders? I've taken off the frog before, but have not been brave enough to mess with the holders, as I thought they were kinda pinned to the actual scabbard itself.

Bill, your hawk is beautiful, I'd love to try falconry some day.
Click to expand...

Yessir, the karda and chakma holders are little more than rolled leather tubes tacked into the scabbard between the body of the scabbard itself and a small wedge-shaped piece of wood on the back of the scabbard.

I generally just take a pair of needle nosed pliers and simply pull the holders out. I don't use the kardas or chakmas, so I don't need to carry them around with me. These small rolls of leather just pull right out, and this allows the frog to slide farther up the body of the scabbard, giving it a thinner profile and letting it ride a bit lower in the frog.

Andy
 
7rip13a,

You have a long road ahead if you want to try falconry. To the best of my knowledge, it is still illegal in Australia. A few guys from down under come to our national falconry meet every year but they can't have a bird back home, even though many Weggies (Wedge-Tailed Eagles) and hawks are killed every year and the country is over run with rabbits.

You would have a ball because your country has many interesting species of hawks, falcons and eagles to choose from and ample game.

Bill
Virginia
 
Here's an interesting read for you: http://forum.ramanon.com/showthread.php?t=75875

IMG_8094.jpg


" Well Quickdraw might be a bit of a misnomer since none of my khuk sheathes allow you to whip the blade out. When sheathed the handle can only be moved about half an inch side to side. The fit is tight enough you have to grab it anyways. Only a very loose fitting sheath would allow you to draw the knife without taking the sheath and baldric along with it. The main reason for the spine side being open is that it allows for a slimmer sheath.

But I guess it is still quicker than a traditional sheath since the length of draw is reduced. With the straps attached you're still taking 3" off the length of draw. 6" if you wore it on a belt.

The main advantage of baldric carry is comfort. If I'm in the backyard or out in the woods I want my tools secured and out of the way. This does both nicely. "


REALLY NICE WORK!
 
Unless I am mistaken, that's one of Il Bruche's posts (didn't follow the link)_

He's the one that made this one for me:
IMG_6780.jpg

IMG_6781.jpg


Which, if I have my belt through the loop on the back of the sheath, really is a quick draw. I can flip open the retaining strap and draw the kukri quite fast. Can't put it back IN fast, but it's a quick draw, not a quick sheath.
 
I believe somebody on the forum had rare earth magnets surgically implanted along the outside of his thighs so he can just slap the khukuri to his lag and it stays put.
Seems like the best option to me..
 
shortwinger,

Don't have any help for carry options but wanted to comment on your birds. I read "The Art and Practice of Hawking" when I was a young teen. A good book that got me interested in falconry. About a year later I found and met a guy that lived in Vienna, VA that had a couple of peregrines that he would take out to Dulles and fly them. He was also working with a breeding program in hopes of getting the peregrines to breed in captivity. This was in around '67-'68 and interested people were trying to find a way to bring up the dropping falcon populations. You haven't chosen an easy path - it takes a lot of consistent work to be a falconer.

What raptors do you have? Sounds like you have more than a few. Very interested to hear more. I congratulate you for having the determination to make this happen for you. Must be quite a thrill to fly them. Please, feel free to either PM or email me if you don't want to get all ornithological here on the Forum.

Rick
 
Just make a sheath out of kydex, similar to the leather sheath above but the retaining strap is not needed. Allows one handed draw and replace, and holds the blade very secure.

Not as nice looking as leather, but holds up excellent and not damaged when wet. I will post a example pic of a thigh rig I made for a pen knife tomorrow.

All you need is Kydex, a heat gun, drill and rivets.

Just my 2 cents.

Jim
 
Rick,

2 Harris Hawks (the main hunters), the male Golden Eagle in the pic, a goshawk, peregrine falcon and a Eurasian Eagle Owl.

That book "The Art and Practice of Hawking" was one of my first books too. Great read and still relevent today, although it obviously lacks some of the newer tech stuff. I have been doing this for about 20 years. It kind of takes over your life. Hmmmm, what other activity does that sound like???

Bill
Virginia
 
Kydex sheath question for Jim.

When making a kydex sheath for a kukri, how do you get around the fact that the blade by the bolster is smaller than the belly? How would the belly come out of the finished product? I was thinking you would have to make a wooden replica that has the whole blade the same width as the widest part (or the blade wouldn't come out of the sheath).

Bill
Virginia
 
Thanks Bill. I guess it would pretty much take over your life when you pretty much have at least one of every raptor there. Two buteos, one Master accipiter, an eagle, a falcon and about the biggest owl there is. Training and keeping them all exercised has got to eat up time. I am humbled by your devotion to your craft.

There was a post about 10 years ago relating to a "fast draw" technique. It involves placing the sheath on the right side about where your back pocket is. Take a look at it, perhaps you could use it while hawking.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146586
 
shortwinger said:
Kydex sheath question for Jim.

When making a kydex sheath for a kukri, how do you get around the fact that the blade by the bolster is smaller than the belly? How would the belly come out of the finished product? I was thinking you would have to make a wooden replica that has the whole blade the same width as the widest part (or the blade wouldn't come out of the sheath).

Bill
Virginia
Click to expand...

Bill,

I use the actual knife/khuk so mold the kydex around. Once heated the kydex is easily molded by hand (use thick gloves so you don't burn your hands). The sheath is left open along the back half of the spine (half nearest the handle) and the kydex slightly lips over this part of the spine. Allows for one handed draw and reinsert. I will post a pic as soon as the camera battery charges.

Jim
 
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