Sheath Idea

Mannlicher

Mannlicher

Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
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I have some knives that need a sheath. I have some knives that have a sheath, that does not work the way I'd like it to.

The thread on baldric carry got me to thinking. I would like to be able to carry more of my woods knives that way, and I want to also wear a knife on my belt, but in a cross draw style.

That presents a problem though, when wearing a pack. The dang pack straps seem to be just where the knife is.

So I came up with this idea. Two belt loops that connect to the sheath, which would be positioned below the belt line. I also would like the swivels to be disconnects, so that the leather belt loops could be taken off, and an over the shoulder leather strap attached to the same points, for baldric carry.

This is sort of how I picture it. Comments? Do you think it is practical?
sheathidea.jpg
 
Well, it looks like a good idea. But, as with any invention, you won't know until you make either a mockup or a prototype and try it out. A mockup would be easy enough to do with an existing sheath and a pair of old leather boots from Goodwill. You'll destroy the boots for materials, but the sheath can be kept in original condition if the mockup doesn't work. A prototype, as you imagine, would be a complete new sheath and a lot more work wasted if it didn't work as you envision. Either could be adjusted to come up with a best design that works though.

My thought is that if your pack has a waist belt, the sheath would have to hang really low to be below it. The hangers would also have to be extra long if you belt loops were above the bottom of the pack or waist belt. Seems like it would bounce against your butt with every step. But you won't know until you try it.
 
I'm a big fun of horizontal carry. It works great with up to 4" blades for me.
Your cross draw design certainly got potential. My main concern would be the size of the knife you want to design it for. That dictates the distance between the belt loops...which dictates were the knife would be positioned when carried: on your side(ok for a shorter blade) or on your rear(not comfortable when you sit or wanna access the knife).
In my experience, keeping the knife out of the way when not in use is a challenge. I'd like to see how this project works out.
 
Kind of like how I understand a sword frog to work... kinda sorta. looks like it could work for bigger blades that you don't want just on a dangler
 
Blade lengths I am considering this sheath for are four and six inches.

I have already made a mock up with nylon webbing, and old sheath and some nuts/bolts. It works well, hanging just where I would like it to, when wearing my CamelBak HAWG pack.

My intended use would be to carry a medium hunter, or woods craft blade while on a day hike or when hunting.

Being able to attach the sheath to an over the shoulder strap would just give me more versatility for carrying the same sheath and knife, in another position.
 
Forum member "BruceWayne" carries his Busse AK47 sword in a rig similer to what you have drawn. Looks to be a comfortable carry option for a long blade and it hangs about mid-thigh, placing it well out of the way of pack straps.


Great design Mannlicher, looking forward to seeing your proto.
 
I think it will work great. I've made hori crossdraw carries before, but they work just like any other hori carry. Let me know if you want to do a proto on it, I gots the leather. Moose
 
SilverFox, yes, thats how the Seax/ langsax was carried. I have one that was made by Kevin TheProfessor. He made me a period correct wooden sheath, but for carry purposes, I want to use a sheath like this one, and also to have the option to change it to baldric carry.
 
I like it.

I have been working on some carry options as well, maybe someday I will get my nylon guy to build them.

Marion
 
I carry a Siegle SAR-4 that way. I had MY nylon guy (:p) make a couple of thes droppers. Pictured here with a CountyComm PCC Pouch.

IMG_2296-1.jpg

IMG_2297-1.jpg
 
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SilverFoxKnows said:
Isn't that how the seax was traditionally carried? Looks good to me.

Frank
Click to expand...

yep!

Key points to remember with this type of rig are going to be retention, and connection. The couple we've done have used square Dee rings on the belt loops directly connected to horizontal straps on the sheath.
 
I have pieced together pretty much what I want. My lack of knowledge about hardware, and choices of hardware, are stumping me though.
I can visualize the end product, but I have a difficult time articulating it.

In the end, I want a carry system that is based on being able to suspend the sheath a bit below the belt, and in a cross draw presentation, but tilted upward as I showed.

I also want to be able to disconnect the sheath from the belt carry system, and snap on an over the shoulder strap, to allow baldric carry.

What I will wind up with eventually, are several different sheaths, with a single belt carry mechanism, and a single baldric carry strap. That way I can utilize the two carry systems with a variety of blades, by just changing the sheath.

now all I need is some poor leather guy that is bored out of his mind, and wants to tackle the whole thing. :D
 
Mannlicher,

Do you have access to a 'Ohio Travel Bag' catalog? They have ALL the hardware you could imagine.

Here is the thing - if you put little links on it - I fear it will bounce. If it were me I would do something like this:

HorizontalSheathforBowLeggedJoes001.jpg


or...

KephartDuo013.jpg


Perhaps just make one loop longer than the other.

What do you think?

TF
 
the horizontal strap system like on an expedition or explorer, with the square Dees, with the belt loops having sam browne studes to connect to the dees.....?

an explorer with square Dee rings:

2009-11-29-0002.jpeg


the belt loops would just be.... loops riveted together with the back of a sam browne stud - with a dangly bit that can close over it.

351-0010.jpeg
 
That's Seax style and a brilliant way of carrying a blade in the field.

JordanSeaxsheath01.jpg


It makes the knife very accesible, and is seldom in the way


Also often swords are carried like that

hint4.jpg

hint2.jpg



My Waki sheath carries the same. (what worked back then still works today!)
when attached on a single balance point the sword stays under an angle when sheathed. When the sword is drawn the sheath falls down in a vertical position.

WakiVIIb.jpg




Smaller knives are often attached closer to the belt

FllknivenTK-6F-1Horizontalsheaths02.jpg

FllknivenA-1ScoutStyleSheath03.jpg

RC-3ESEETECHKYDEXIWBLoopsTeklok01.jpg

EnzoTrapperHorizontalSheath.jpg


Lots of ways in doing so..

I like your idea very much to compliment the above options.
2 extra D-rings and 2 extra straps are all that's needed. to drop it under that packstrap or your toplayer of clothing..
 
Talfuchre said:
Mannlicher,

Do you have access to a 'Ohio Travel Bag' catalog? They have ALL the hardware you could imagine.

Here is the thing - if you put little links on it - I fear it will bounce. If it were me I would do something like this:

HorizontalSheathforBowLeggedJoes001.jpg


or...

KephartDuo013.jpg


Perhaps just make one loop longer than the other.

What do you think?

TF
Click to expand...
Nice. Maybe a sheath like that with two carabiners (sp).
 
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