Some advice please

rustyshackelford

rustyshackelford

Joined
Jun 15, 2009
Messages
426
Hi all,
So I've been collecting knives for a long time and recently, as most of you all have experienced, my taste and collection has been refined to knives that fit and function well for me. I have distilled my fixed blade "user" category to a Becker BK17 and a Fiddleback Bushfinger. Now, the BK17 rides in an Azwelke with a tek-lok and I'm not experiencing any issues with that set up but, I would like to pick your brains about my Bushfinger and it's sheath.
I have acquired a Oeser dangler sheath to go with my Bushfinger and, I gotta say, this is one sweet combo that looks and functions great. That being said, I don't mind using my pretty Bushfinger and Oeser sheath, but I'd rather not beat them to hell too quickly. The mountains I spend most of my time in are rather harsh and most of the places I sit are on rocks and dirt that would be the equivalent to sitting on negative 2000 grit sand paper. So, here's my question... How do you guys sit/carry without tearing up your leather and handles on your blades that ride low in dangler or similar sheathes?

Here's some pics because pics are awesome.
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rustyshackelford said:
The mountains I spend most of my time in are rather harsh and most of the places I sit are on rocks and dirt that would be the equivalent to sitting on negative 2000 grit sand paper. So, here's my question... How do you guys sit/carry without tearing up your leather and handles on your blades that ride low in dangler or similar sheathes?
Click to expand...

That's precisely why I don't like low-riding, dangler sheaths. I like my knife to rider higher on my belt.

Nice knife, btw.
 
If you don't mind sacrificing the looks there's always tool dip (aka Plasti-dip).
 
Run your belt outside of one or two of the beltloops on your knife side. When you go sit, slide the knife up front. If that's too much hassle then get a different sheath or accept the damage, I guess.
 
You can add a leg strap like I use on my low hanging Western style gunslinger pistol holster. Then the sheath moves with your leg when you walk, stand or sit.
 
Have you considered using a baldric, it will allow you to instantly move your knife from your side, under your arm, to your chest or behind your back depending on what your doing at the time. I've found it to solve the difficulties of accessing a knife while wearing waders, under backpack waistbands or under heavy winter clothing. You may have seen some of the ones made of paracord in a cobra knot pattern, this seems to prevent the knife from slipping from whatever position you put it in.
 
I do not worry about it. Wear and damage are two different things to me. Well made knives and leather are made to get beat up. Adds character. I like the way things age from use. I see no way top prevent it other than not using it and that is a crappy option. I use both high riding and dangler sheaths and like them both but overall I prefer the ones that ride higher because I do not like a knife flapping around on my leg. Sheaths can be replaced and knives can be replaced but the time you spend in the woods with them can not. I find the more I use a knife and sheath and the rougher it looks, the less likely I am to part with it. With a little maintenance that Bushfinger and its sheath should out last you and still look great. Fine wine, hunting dogs, knives and sheaths...all get better with age......some other things in life...not so much....
 
Had a 5” on a dangler off my belt on and off for the past few days, will do for a few more, and do as I type. The sheath is in my front right trouser pocket and a couple of inches of handle are poking out. I'm in a lodge and I'm using the knife for all sorts of things. I'm taking it off when I take the tredder out, and as this is vacation there's plenty of weed and vodka so I don't need to tote it round here then, but its on me a lot, with little feeling of encumbrance.
 
grafton said:
I do not worry about it. Wear and damage are two different things to me. Well made knives and leather are made to get beat up. Adds character. I like the way things age from use. I see no way top prevent it other than not using it and that is a crappy option. I use both high riding and dangler sheaths and like them both but overall I prefer the ones that ride higher because I do not like a knife flapping around on my leg. Sheaths can be replaced and knives can be replaced but the time you spend in the woods with them can not. I find the more I use a knife and sheath and the rougher it looks, the less likely I am to part with it. With a little maintenance that Bushfinger and its sheath should out last you and still look great. Fine wine, hunting dogs, knives and sheaths...all get better with age......some other things in life...not so much....
Click to expand...

This is exactly how I feel and I'm sorry I didn't convey that more clearly. I'm fine with the honest wear on my knives, but I do believe that this dangler will take on quite a bit of damage on this year's deer hunt unless I come up with a way to protect it and the Bushfinger that resides inside.
 
Why not remove the dangler strap. Looks removable and run your belt through the sheath loop, looks big enough. Doesn't seem like that big of deal.
 
I understand that I can remove the dangler or put it on my pack. I was just wondering if there was some ingenuitive ideas or methods to use and not abuse the dangler type sheaths, when it comes to sitting on rough and harsh terrain. A lot of our deer hunt consists of sitting and watching for deer.
 
Here is what I do and it's the basis for my sheath designs. I primarily use the drop loop extension for times when I am wearing a pack with a belt or waste strap. I can attach the drop loop to the belt on my pants and the pack belt goes over the top of that. That way I can get to the knife with my pack on and when I take my pack off the knife is still on me.

If I know I am not going to wear a pack like that and plan to sit quite a bit I remove the loop and use just the sheath. I make the loop on the sheath big enough for belts and also the top of the loop is almost to the top of the knife handle so that the handle doesn't jab me in the side. I hope that helps a little.

Usually the part of the sheath that gets the most wear on it is the welt and that is the easiest part of the sheath to make like new again. I'm sure Andy would agree that use just makes it all look better.:)
 
you can wrap a strip of bicycle innertube on the bottom half/quarter of it to protect against abrasion...that way you'll then have an extra tinder with you.
 
I've spent most of my adult life wearing pliers in a pouch on my belt, which hangs low. Just used to it, I guess. I hate high riding sheaths or pouches of any kind. Don't seem to have any problems with stuff getting messed up.
 
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