Upside-down Izula

D

diesel1971

Joined
Sep 29, 2008
Messages
7
Folks,

I may be re-inventing the wheel here but I have come up with a neat idea that I thought Izula owners might like to know about.

I was looking at mounting my Izula upside down on some kit and was mildly concerned that there was the faintest of possibilities that it might just kind of maybe accidentally "self draw" resulting in many tears and much frustration when I go to grab it when I need it and find an empty sheath.

Now I could be talking belt and braces here but I just don't want to loose such a great little tool. I'm pretty confident that it probably won't be dislodged from the supplied sheath but I don't generally trust in luck.

After a moment rattling around my garage I had an inspiration moment while looking at sheath repair I did for a SOG Sealpup.

The solution (to a possibly non-existent problem):

After mounting a molle-lock via the round holes, I got a piece of 3mm (1/8") shock cord and threaded it through the elongated hole and around the sheathed knife. I worked out the length required to have te barest of tension in this position and cut the cord and fitted the end from an old paracord zipper pull.

I part drew the knife so that the cord was holding it and after some fairly violent shaking I was confident that there was no reasonable way the knife as coming out without a fair degree of assistance.

To undo the shock cord lock, just pull it across the sheath and up the side, clearing the cord from the opening. It can be left there if the knife is required frequently and then just snapped back into position to secure it. It can also be stretched completely out of the way over the end of the sheath If not needed or getting in the way.

I'm pretty confident that if you just hauled on it hard enough it would probably give up and release the knife (either slipping over the blade or pulling out of the cord ends) but I haven't tested that yet.

I'll put some photos up as soon as I work out how.

Cheers,

DC.
 
Thanks to Lazerboy and the miracle of modern technology - here's the photos:

DSCF1672.jpg

Fitted to sheath

DSCF1666.jpg

'Locking' in Izula

DSCF1667.jpg

Unlocked

DSCF1671.jpg

Lock 'disabled'

DSCF1673.jpg

Retaining 'loose' Izula

Hope this makes sense of my description.

DC.
 
Well thought out and executed concept. Could be done with, or without the Molle-bar. Mine seems to fit so tight I have to pull it out with FORCE to extract it though. Thanks for sharing!
 
As you said in your opening the possibility or your Izula self-drawing is very marginal. Having said that your system is simple and cheap enough to be easily implemented. Thx for sharing :thumbup:
 
diesel 1971,

Great idea and great first (and second) post!

You really should post more and lurk less. ;) :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the positive feedback guys. Molle bar is only there because that's how I was going to use it -it will work regardless.

Looking at my RC 3 and RC 4 I would guess it would work with these as well, however I think the RC 4 would be as heavy a knife as I would want to retain this way. I don't really think it would be an appropriate replacement for using the Molle back when carrying those ones upside-down (USD), but it would lend a little more security for horizontal/vertical carry with a teklok, molle locks, bootclip or the similar. Maybe others with a bit more experience carrying USD might want to throw there two cents in on that one.

Unfortunately I am out of cord ends otherwise I would be experimenting with the others right now.

DC.
 
Thanks Dectia. I have only been lurking as I didn't have anything valuable to add until now.

However now that I have been taught how to post photos, I will try and lurk far less and contribute far more :)

DC.
 
would this work with other knife sheaths, or does it have to have the "side gap" that the izula has? hopefully this makes sense.

Looks like a really good and cheap way to retain it
 
diesel1971 said:
Thanks Dectia. I have only been lurking as I didn't have anything valuable to add until now.
Click to expand...

I applaud you. I certainly don't have your restraint. ;)

However now that I have been taught how to post photos, I will try and lurk far less and contribute far more :)

DC.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, just don't post too many photos of your local eight-legged fauna. :eek: :D
 
JCK said:
would this work with other knife sheaths, or does it have to have the "side gap" that the izula has? hopefully this makes sense.

Looks like a really good and cheap way to retain it
Click to expand...

To "disable" the lock you may need a side gap, but the general idea would likely translate to most sheaths with hollow spine-side rivets near the opening.
 
JCK,

The elongated hole on the Izula lets you loop it over the bottom to get the shock cord completely out of the way.

On any other sheath you will need a hole to retain it and a knife handle with enough of a profile to 'catch' the cord. The only down side is that you couldn't swing it completely out of the way, but you could still leave it pulled across the sheath like the third photo and just snap it back when you want to 'lock up' the knife. It should work on a straight profiled sheath or one that tapers away from the opening like the Izula.

DC
 
diesel1971 said:
JCK,

The elongated hole on the Izula lets you loop it over the bottom to get the shock cord completely out of the way.

On any other sheath you will need a hole to retain it and a knife handle with enough of a profile to 'catch' the cord. The only down side is that you couldn't swing it completely out of the way, but you could still leave it pulled across the sheath like the third photo and just snap it back when you want to 'lock up' the knife. It should work on a straight profiled sheath or one that tapers away from the opening like the Izula.

DC
Click to expand...

Ok thanks for explaining that, I was just curious as I have a bravo 1 on order, but I got a Martin Swinkle Sheath for it so I was curious, but looking at the pictures of my sheath, it won't work

Front: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zS2G_1ULW...k+River+Bravo+1+technical+sheath+black+01.jpg
Back: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zS2G_1ULW...k+River+Bravo+1+technical+sheath+black+02.jpg
 
Looks like a real solid addition you did there! Personally I'm totally unconcerned with the Izula ever coming out of its sheath unintentionally--the fit is VERY secure and the knife is light so it's unlikely to jostle its way out. :)
 
JCK said:
Ok thanks for explaining that, I was just curious as I have a bravo 1 on order, but I got a Martin Swinkle Sheath for it so I was curious, but looking at the pictures of my sheath, it won't work

Front: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zS2G_1ULW...k+River+Bravo+1+technical+sheath+black+01.jpg
Back: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zS2G_1ULW...k+River+Bravo+1+technical+sheath+black+02.jpg
Click to expand...

Sure it would... on the back, a couple inches above the "B" in "Bravo," drill a small hole and put your cord through there. Be sure to ease the edge of the kydex a bit - it can be sharp and may cut thorough the shock cord.

Another option, for longer-term retention, could be a cord lock instead of bungee cord.
 
I don't think it's going to fall out, but that is a clean little "extra" safety feature. Nice work!
 
I really doubt that my Izula would fall out of its sheath. But still is a good idea. I may need to incorporate that into a few of my other fixed blade sheaths.
 
That's a great improvement you made to your Izula sheath. I also worry about my blades taking an accidental fall from being mounted upsidedown also. That's a great simple, and cheap fix. Great work!
 
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