Why are paddle holster style sheaths not popular?

InsuranceGuy

InsuranceGuy

Joined
Jul 12, 2006
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415
OK, they are popular with guns, but not with knife sheaths. Why not? You don't need a belt to carry a fixed blade knife or even a folder in a pouch. And if you did have a belt, you wouldn't have to remove it to put the sheath on your belt.
 
i dont know i dont like pouches myself, if i have to wear a pouch (sheath) i might as well pack a FB, maybe if FB werent legal in my state i might would give it a try.

havent ever seen a paddle style knife sheath, might be a good idea imho.
 
I like leather Pancake sheaths, but since I wear a belt all the time, I figure I can cover most issues with a Tek-Loc. It might not be ideal in all situations, but as the saying goes it's good enough for government work.
 
I would definitely prefer such sheaths over beltloop ones.

(I am not sure but weren't there some fixed blade sheaths with Alice clips?)
Beltloops are easier to made as there doesn't need to be any metal part inside and overall are easier to made.
 
I believe Bladtech makes an aftermarket paddle . I have used paddle sheaths before , they work well . Very handy in a situation where you need to quickly remove stuff , ie going into a courthouse .

Chris
 
Although most of the major manufacturers make paddle holsters for various handguns they really are not that popular. Most don't ride right. Many are uncomfortable for all day wear. Weapon retention becomes a bigger issue. For certain gigs I do wear a paddle if I'll be in and out of secure areas all day, otherwise I prefer a different style. What does this have to do with knives?

I would guess that even among us knuts most don't regularly use multiple carry options for the same blade. We may carry many different ways, but usually with different knives. I don't suspect many would choose a paddle sheath as their primary option. Pocket clip folders are more versatile and just as easy on and off. Few who EDC fixed blades on their belt would need the ease of removal option IMO. You might be able to make a case for a paddle pouch for large SAKs or multitools, but there are cheaper options, such as the Rip-Off nylon belt clip series.

I'm guessing the market rules. If the demand was there for a paddle sheath system, people would be making them. I'm still hoping to find a good paddle or belt clip holder for my ASP.
 
Eyegor , why dont you do like the rest of us and carry your ASP IWB ?
 
My Blackhawk Knives Kalista came with a paddle attachment. It's not as sturdy as a handgun holster paddle, but then it doesn't need to be.

Actually it's pretty handy, I can slip the knife on and off very easily depending on needs. My only complaint is that it is fixed for a 1 1/2" belt, and does not adjust.

Jubei
 
I had a paddle type sheath for a summer made for Bark River Northstar, always scared I was going to stab myself in the hip when I sat down, and pinched my side, now I prefer a hanging sheath .
 
i see very few firearm paddle holsters( as a matter of fact can think of only one) used by the government employees i work around.
 
I had a shaeth made by Nomark and after ordered a pancake paddle style Galco clip to it. Contacted Galco and it was like $15 bucks shipped and I just bolted it up to the Concealax rig ..worked like a charm.
I loved it.. But seemd a bit over the edge for me to carry like this all the time.. A whole lot easier just to place a folder cliped in my pocket.. But I tell ya the grab and go factor of it was awesome..

Here is a pic
picture211smallmp5.jpg
 
I designed the BlackHawk Blades Kalista sheath system to make use of hardware components from BlackHawk's CQC holster line. Having carried boot knives with the old spring-steel-clip sheaths for many years, I never really liked the way they worked. They did not offer any angular adjustment and often came off the belt with the knife during a draw.

Paddles--especially BlackHawk's CQC paddle with angular adjustment--provide a much larger surface area and are contoured to fit the waistline. The original CQC paddle was adequate for pistol use, but best suited to accessory carry--mag pouches, light holders, etc. It has since been replaced by a much stronger paddle for better holster support. I took the original paddle design and, through the use of an adapter plate with a four-hole pattern, created what I believe is the first knife carry system to incorporate the use of the paddle: The Total Concealed Carry Solution (TCCS) system. It not only offers paddle carry, it provides 20 different angular adjustments throughout a full 360 degrees of range. This applies both edge forward and edge back and strong side, weak side, small-of-the-back, and centerline.

The TCCS system also includes a CQC belt attachment (also with angular adjustment and adaptable to all belt sizes), an IWB loop, a neck chain, and complete instructions that support more than 70 different carry positions.

This sheath system also comes standard with the Kelly McCann-designed Crucible FX fixed blade.

Best of all, since I designed the TCCS system around the CQC holster hardware's 3-hole mounting pattern, the sheath will also work with any other CQC carry platform, including shoulder rigs, MOLLE/STRIKE plates, drop-leg platforms, and anything else that may be developed in the future. It will also fit the beefier paddle that is now standard with the holsters, which IS adjustable for different belt widths.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike
 
Hey Jefff...

Thanks for the plug,, thats a nice set up...

The paddle can be a very handy and practical setup,, however I'm not a real big fan of them...I do respect Michael's expertise in the matter,,and if he says they work,, they must work...

First,, lets make perfectly clear that I'm not putting down a paddle system, or trying to sway anyone away from one.. There are many good sytems out there,,like flavors of ice cream, you have to try them for yourself and pick which one works best for you...

Personally, and I do mean for myself, I believe that a knife sheath, Especially a Self Defense knife sheath needs to be firmly attached to ones body by way of either G-clip, belt loop, IWB loop, tek lok or static line. For me it needs to stay put, be in the same place,, ALL of the time with little to No chance of it becoming dislodged. With a self defense weapon, it must work 100% of the time.

That's not to say at all that a paddle doesn't work, because they do, I just personally don't care for them myself, and really don't do them much or at all...

However recently I have a client who has more or less talked me into trying a slip sheath IWB with very little retention.Basically a static line rig, without the static line, with a piece of bike inner tube helping with friction against the skin....I'm still a little leary of it, and generally he is the only one I really make them for....

Edited to say :

This system only works with pants that are tight, and generally with a belt which supplies most of the retention to the sheath. I can get away without a belt if I can squeeze my fat ass into a pair of tighter fitting jeans.

Mike Sastre makes a slip sheath system for the Bagwell Bowie, that works very well for him...It's amazingly fast, and he's got All of the kinks and angles worked out on that system for sure...


Good thread guys....

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
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