The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
But it works, the elks dont mind......
If you're no used to a chest pack, it might take a little getting used to. But I really like that the essentials are right there in front of me, without having to remove a backpack and rummage through it for what I need. It rides quite well when it's all adjusted properly, and I've used it XC skiing, with everything you see below, plus a compact 9mm and an extra magazine, and it stayed put with no problems.
Backpacking with a concealed handgun has always been a challenge and evolution to find something you can quickly access, is actually concealed (if that is a specific criteria or need) but still comfortable for several miles on rough trails. I can't say enough about how the Hill People Gear Kit Bag does exceptional at all of those. I tried numerous methods as already mentioned…shoulder holster, OWB holster attached to the pack’s waistbelt (not concealed), IWB (can’t access), fanny packs, the Wilderness SafePacker (which is a pretty good option just large) and even the RIBZ "front pack", which is another great method, but not very good at maintaining your draw position for your pistol/revolver. My biggest challenge was to keep the pistol on my body even if I dumped the pack and still be quickly accessible.
I’ve been wearing the Hill People Gear (HPG) Kit Bag mountain biking, kayaking, fly-fishing, hunting, numerous day hikes and several backpacking trips. I’ve only received a couple of inquiries and all were positive on the trail...no one made the connection between a CCW holder and a nicely placed accessory bag. When wearing a backpack, fishing, biking or kayaking, it actually blends in so well, it is “sneaky”.
I put my photos on another post along with a video where I was practicing my drawing while using hiking poles; I’ve found the HPG Kit Bag by far the best CCW method for outdoor’s activities, especially when wearing a backpack. About the only thing I haven’t done is technical climbing, but it still works for general bouldering. Also, we’ve done a lot of off-trail hiking through, up and across smaller rivers and as long as you’re wading, you’ll keep you gear and pistol dry…even if you do take a dunk, I’ve found it easy enough to do the lazy side stroke without it causing much difficulty. I know waterprooof is a nice feature, but the way you carry the bag, it will CCW will get wet or damp if you're in a heavy down poor, high-humidity or an extended dunk in a river...hence the reason I go with a Glock instead of a nicer-finished CCW
I don’t attach the Kit Bag to my pack’s shoulder straps. One of my criteria was a holster that would stay on my body if I dropped my pack or wanted to day-hike or scout away from a "base camp". Although the Kit Bag can be attached, I prefer to wear it as a stand-alone. The design is such that a pack, its shoulder straps and waist belt don’t interfere or are uncomfortable (at least not with a little adjustment as comfort is a very personal opinion). The only down side is that it tends to trap heat in the warmer season. With that said, we’ve done backpacking with heat-indexes in the hundreds with close to 100% humidity; you’re sweating anyways and this isn’t going to make it any less comfortable
If you’re serious about carrying concealed with full sized pack and necessary waist belt, the HPG Kit Bag is by far the best option I’ve come across and is both simple and extremely functional, robust and actually comfortable. I now own three with one being the new “snubby” that I used when running and would be an even more compact/lighter version for the weight-conscious. Even as you continue to refine and reduce you weight, this is really a great way to balance your setup without sacrificing too much.
With the Kit Bag, you can still easily and quickly accessible CCW, even with hiking poles which is something both my wife and I are using much more these days:
ROCK6
The kit bag for longer trips, and the snubby for short hikes. I really like the compact nature of the snubby, but I also like the capacity of the kit bag. I realize you can't have it both ways, so I guess I'll have to get both. Now, the final decision is: what color? Rock, I can't tell if yours is the coyote or the ranger green, it looks darker in some pictures. I'm thinking foliage. It would seem to blend with my clothing and gear the best. And we all know you have to look your best on the trail:thumbup:
...For all those male adventurers who always wanted to feel like Lara Croft!
