Carrying a knife while mountain biking

CPP

CPP

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I mountain bike regularly, frequently by myself, when there aren't 3+ feet of snow on the ground. As I usually ride in relatively isolated areas a knife of some sort seems like a good idea. There are many factors to consider, however. Folding versus fixed is important for the same reasons people usually discuss the pros and cons of each with a few additional concerns.

The usual place to clip a folding knife is the front pocket but, obviously, even with the sturdiest clip it would fallout pretty quickly. A folding knife in a zippered pocket would be secure but would bounce around and not be quickly accessible in a pinch.

A fixed blade without scales would have a very slim profile but where would it go? A neck knife seemed an obvious choice: out of the way but accessible, but would bounce between the rider's shirt and chest. It could also be a safety issue if one falls in just the right way and lands on the knife with the blade against the rider's body and the pommel against the ground. The belt also seems like an obvious place: secure and out of the way. But, my belt is generally exposed when riding and I prefer discretion and this could also be a safety issue when falling. Putting a knife in a saddle bag would work well except, again, for accessibility and would likely get banged up by the other tools.

Another concern is the knife laws where I live. Massachusetts has pretty restrictive laws regarding the carrying of knives. Having read up a little on these laws they seem ambiguous at best and to be on the safe side I would rather a smaller knife as the danger presented to the public is in the eye of law enforcement. Some towns in MA have a 2½ inch limit on the blade allowing me to carry only a Dragonfly II, my only sub-2½ inch knife that is not a multitool or an ESEE Candiru, which I haven't bought yet. Would engaging in an outdoor sport while carrying a knife render the laws more lenient?

Any ideas, suggestions or experiences to share?
 
I'm not in MA, so I can't provide much advice on the laws, but...

I'll assume you have enough bike tools on you, and recommend a Dragonfly Salt, clipped to the back strong-side of your biking shorts. I haven't biked a lot with one, but for running, this has served me well. It's easy to get to if you need it quickly, and it's generally well concealed by a long shirt or jacket. H1 hasn't ever rusted for me. The size is probably all you need, and it's pretty light.

I'm not a fan of neck knives or fixed blades, so you will likely hear some other opinions. Good luck in your choice!
 
Becker bk11 in a pouch mounted under you seat, or if you wear a hydration pack you can use that our fill an opaque water bottle with a small kit and a knife in there if you don't want to use the hydration pack.
 
I stick a Military in my tool bag under my seat or in my pack if I take it.

Why would you need quick access while riding ?
 
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ChrisB507 said:
I'm not in MA, so I can't provide much advice on the laws, but...

I'll assume you have enough bike tools on you, and recommend a Dragonfly Salt, clipped to the back strong-side of your biking shorts. I haven't biked a lot with one, but for running, this has served me well. It's easy to get to if you need it quickly, and it's generally well concealed by a long shirt or jacket. H1 hasn't ever rusted for me. The size is probably all you need, and it's pretty light.

I'm not a fan of neck knives or fixed blades, so you will likely hear some other opinions. Good luck in your choice!
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This is the exact same knife I was going to recommend. Dragonfly II Salt, with serrated blade.

It weighs nothing, cuts like crazy, and won't rust. Bam.
 
No hydration pack? I usually have a Victorinox Farmer in my pack, along with a PS4, flashlight, spoke wrench, ibuprofen, dry bag, keys, and maybe a granola bar.

You could always get a small saddle bag if you don't carry a pack.
 
Carry a small fixed, either belt, IWB or as a necker. A folder won't be practical in the situation you are wanting to cover.

If you are going to be accosted on a bicycle it's likely to be sudden. It takes no explanation on my part to imagine bicycling AND having to unpocket and open a folder under such circumstance. You aren't wanting a military combat knife for such a situation...you just want some edge---enough to deter or use and get away. You'll want something in hand right away.

Don't mount it to the bike anymore than you'd mount it to your kayak on a whitewater trip. Keep the knife on you. The instant you are separated from the bike you're defenseless. It'll take longer to draw from the bike than from carry anyway. It will get stolen off your bike eventually too.

When I carry on a bicycle, esp at night, it's usually my original DPx HEST fixed or smaller ....something Candiru or BK-11'ish.
 
I'm an avid mountain biker. I always carry an XM18 3.5 in a zippered pocket. I don't need instant access to a knife on the trail and I want something tough and mid-sized. When I am going on longer or more remote rides I carry a kit in my pack that also includes a Benchmade 915 Triage. I don't carry a fixed blade because I try to keep weight and bulk to a minimum.
 
I mountain bike a good bit by myself. I keep a ZT 0350 clipped about 4:00 on my biking shorts. I have not once had a problem with it.
 
When I'm riding my bike I carry a Spyderco Endura 4 FFG IWB (inside the waist band) at about four o'clock on my hip. I do the same when jogging. It works really well.
 
Grab a Cold Strel American Lawman. Super tough, smaller and it will not come un clipped with that aggressive G10. I've been carrying a knife on off-road rides for over two decades and never lost one yet.
 
I ride mountain bikes frequently in the mountains here in Colorado, I have never once had a knife come un clipped from my pocket ( and I've taken some bad spills) if your that worried, bend the clip so it has even more retention.
 
Griptillian clipped to the shoulder strap of my camelback. It has a perfect little loop for it on the shoulder strap. It has never come loose before.
 
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I always have a small back pack on when I mountain bike so it usually goes there zipped up nice and safe, unless I have some sort of cargo shorts where it could be stowed away. Anything not strapped securely to my person will not stay there for long.
 
I've been mountainbiking since 1990 here in Sweden. And actually, despite I'm a knifeoholic I actually almost never carry a knife when riding. Only multitools for bikerepairs. But if I do it's often something small tucked away in the Camelbak. Most often a Spyderco Delica. It's small, light and don't rust too much.

/ J
 
link2derek said:
When I'm riding my bike I carry a Spyderco Endura 4 FFG IWB (inside the waist band) at about four o'clock on my hip. I do the same when jogging. It works really well.
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I agree with all, I do the same, but...
How about a Pacific Salt? No rust, almost no weight and it has a good blade too...
 
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Have a look at timberline knives ECS model. It's SHEATH system allows for a few different variations of mounting and the way it's designed the knife is locked in SHEATH. Great design by fellhoelter knives. There are a couple of videos on youtube. Good luck
 
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depending on where I am riding. Never lost one or had one come unclipped from my pocket although I had to sand down the black clip on the SE after sliding across some pavement on it.
 
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