Fixed blade EDC carry for fat guys?

N

Nick Hyle

Joined
Mar 13, 2000
Messages
599
I wasn't sure whether to ask here or Practical Tactical - if I guessed wrong, please move me.

OK, I'm guessing I'm not the only guy here this applies to. :D

I have thought about, and tried, carrying a small fixed blade as an EDC. I'm not worried about a ninja rig that I can use to defend myself with in 0.05 seconds in the dark, sometimes I'd just like a comfortable, legal, accesible, unobtrusive way to carry a 3"-4" blade.

While I am not truly globose, I have what we will call "a healthy beer drinking muscle". ;) I'm 5' 11", #250, and about twenty pounds of that sticks out right over my belt buckle.

Now if I'm not worried about the "legal" part, I already have options that make me very happy, mostly involving the inside chest of jacket on my offside. But I'd rather be legally not 'concealed', and yet not have that "Hey! He's carrying a KNIFE!" visual going on. Besides, I don't always wear a jacket. :p

A lot of people seem to recommend a horizontal or slightly slanted carry on the front belt or waistband. Out in the open legally, but blends into the beltline visually, and is right there when you reach. My problem is that sitting with a rig like that feels like getting poked with a pool cue.

So am I doing front carry wrong? What else do you guys do? I'm thinking more and more that a sheath that clips/slips into the front pocket may be the way to go, a sort od William Henry fixed blade solution - I've seen pictures of Razels looking comfortable that way.

Small fixed blades I own to play with - Spydie Ronin, BM Gamer and Instigator, MOD Razorback, Outdoor Edge Wedge II, and varius puukos and small hunters. I'm thinking about maybe grabbing the new cheaper version BM Activator, and a Spydie Swick or Micarta SPOT.
 
Would this be legal where you live?
A part is concealed, but the grip shows out:



The knife is a bit longer then you wanted, but thats ok for me :rolleyes:

Of course not a EDC :eek: :D
 
Yep I hear you :D

For me Small of Back horizontal is the most convinient carry method or I carry it upsidedown at 4 o' clock

here are some pictures of my first custom rig: post no. 3

knife is a BM 220 Fixed Resistor
light ist a Inova T1

http://www.messerforum.net/showthread.php?t=23432

knives that I carry in this way are:
Ontario Rat-3
Spyderco FB04 Perrin
BM 220

g

hannes
 
Graham Knives

Barry Dawson

Both make small fixed blade knives with a sheath that fits well in a pocket.
 
I have a similar problem and similar dimentions. Here is a Graham Razel Mid-Tech carried in pocket
IMG_0201.jpg


I understand the leather sheath sits even deeper in pocket than the kydex you see here. It works quite well, but keep in mind the knife is quite small, 7" OAL.
razel03.jpg
 
I hear you about the "issue." When I carry fixed, its usually horizontal if up front. I carry right next to my belt buckle, and its never really a problem. Other times, I carry vertical at 3-, 4-, and ~7-o'clock. I find that most people these days are so used to seing something at the belt that they don't really look twice at it. Also, knives are so rare here that its not the general first thought when seeing something on the belt. My issue with carrying in the small of the back- especially anywhere from 3- to 6-o'clock is when I drive it digs into my sides/back. OR it gets hung up on my seatbelt. That's why I generally prefer left-hand carry for fixed. OR, up front.

Another question for the waist-challenged, do you find it more difficult to use a kydex sheath than a leather one 'round back? Just thought I'd ask others.
 
Hi Nick-I'm your size and I usually carry a 3" FB horozontally on my belt, strong side or up front. I have no problems carrying this way because my knives are well designed and put together. Many of my FB sheaths are made for me by Darrell at MTSEQUOYIAKNIVES.COM
Owr own Normark is also a well known maker of high-quality Kydex.
 
I'm about that size, and the greatest thing I've found have been dangler sheathes. They hang comfortably, or stuff inside a back pocket easily. I wondered for many years why the hell anyone would want one, then when I really got into some of the Scandinavian knives, I found out why they were so great. Helles are particularly nice if you like to have a speedbump on a knife rather than a full guard or none. Checkout Ragnars site http://www.ragweedforge.com or look in the knives for sale section here if you decide to try one.


Oh, and Greco makes a couple of really nice danglers too.
 
bigbore.45 said:
Would this be legal where you live?
A part is concealed, but the grip shows out:



The knife is a bit longer then you wanted, but thats ok for me :rolleyes:

Of course not a EDC :eek: :D
Click to expand...


:p LOL! it looks like he has a tail!
 
The Cold Steel Safe Maker series might be just what you're looking for, assuming they're legal to carry where you live. Because of the push dagger shape, they are far more comfortable to carry for a given blade length. The Safe Maker I has a 4.5 inch blade, but the overall length is only 6.4 inches. The sheath can be carried at a variety of angles and can be worn around the neck. The blade is AUS-8A, which is fairly good steel but certainly not as good as a high carbon steel. However, for an EDC steel it should be good enough.
 
I've always carried scramasax-style across the back. No gut, just a lot more comfortable. Current favorite is a Western 66, alternating with a short Ka-Bar. Both are good work knives in my experience.
 
+1 for dangler/Scandi/puukko.

in the same places people look as me crazy for wearing a belt sheath, no one looked twice at a puukko hanging there.
 
I get good service from the Benchmade 210GG. Many don't like the black leather sheath that comes with it, but I think it's well executed. It protects the knife, keeps it secure, and hangs low enough from a belt to ensure comfortable carry. As a bonus, it's kinda "dressy" which helps eliminate the "ninja" factor for exposed knife carry.
 
210GG another vote, but with a Concealex On-Scene sheath by Eric. I actually drop in pocket and off I go.
 
Nick Hyle

Ich auch habben einen gross bauch (can't spell in Deutch worth a darn).
Yes sir I too have a beer muscle from that good Deutch beer. I just received a Dozier Arkansas Toothpick. It is made from D2 steel, a little over 3" on the blade and comes with a right hand cross draw shoulder rig that you can unhook and wear horizontial at a slight cant on your belt. It could also be worn on the belt at the small of the back or in crossdraw on the left side of the belt.

I also wear a Trident Oberland 01 horizontially (5" blade) crossdraw on my left side of my belt with a teck-lock so the Kydex sheath is a little ways away from the body(have to deburr the Teck-Lock though)

You can't go wrong with a Dozier knife or with a Trident knife. Note: the Oberland knife is in some of the German messer magazines where they do a review.

Ciao
Ron Cassel
:cool:
 
I had a feeling I was not going to find myself alone with this problem. :D

Guys, I'm listening and thinking. I should say that I am paying more attention to things I can do to carry the knives I already have rather than the helpful suggestions of you evil bastids who are trying get me to buy another knife. :)
 
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