Horizontal Sheath for Medium Knife

C

coote

Joined
Apr 3, 2006
Messages
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Well my BRKT Gameskeeper knife has arrived from the USA. Thanks very much Esav.

It is very well made. I like the shape and the handle material (micarta) and I am looking foward to spending some time with it in the bush. It came with a beautiful thick leather sheath.

A knife like this is a knife of my dreams. Ever since I was quite young I have held American knives in high regard. I would read old 'Outdoor Life', "Field and Stream" and "American Rifleman" magazines and I'd see beautiful knives like this (and other great gear).

I probably never saw anything made by BRKT in these old mags, but the Gameskeeper seems to capture the essence of a practical, traditional, high-quality American hunting knife.

It may be a while before I do anything serious with this beautiful blade. When I do, I hope to get some pics and report back here. But I'm sure the review will be very good.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking about making or getting a sheath that is suited to horizontal carry. I've found it useful to have my sheath knife lying horizontally on my belt at the front of my body. This means I can grab it with either hand, it is less likely to catch on scrub, it is easier to get to when carrying a rifle and/or backpack (and maybe a dead animal).... and it isn't so obvious for others to see when I pass them on the trail. I often hang the front of my shirt over the knife.

I have made horizontal sheaths from leather or soft polythene pipe before.... and maybe I will have to do something like this again.

But I've read about Kydex sheaths on this forum, and I'm wondering if maybe I should investigate these. It would certainly be simpler for me to buy something ready-made because I don't have much time at present... plus my workshop facilities aren't so good right now.

So if anybody has any suggestions about making/purchasing a horizontal sheath, I'd love to read them. I'm particularly interested in this Kydex stuff.

Thanks in advance..... Coote
 
eric at onscene tactical might be a good bet.. if youare looking for leather however try jre indistries they are great to work with as well.
 
Not real sure on specific makers, especially for BRKT knives (they sell more to traditional leather sheath type guys, but I'm sure some of the sheathmakers here could do it (although you might have to ship the knife to them).

I didn't think I would, but I like kydex sheaths, especially for horizontal carry, for all the reasons you mentioned. I rigged the sheath for my BAD with paracord to ride horizontal on my belt:
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Thanks for the suggestions.... and the nice photos.

So Cpl... and others with Kydex sheaths.... do you have trouble putting the knife back in the sheath? Does the blade tend to dig into the Kydex unless you are particularly careful?
 
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I have no troubles with knife insertion with kydex. It is so damn functional and smooth.

I would think that the gameskeeper would be very large for front horizontal carry but that is just me.
 
I made my Rat3 sheath to ride horizontal carry when I first got it. I turned the Teclock sideways. I liked the fact that it didnt dig into my side but having it sideways made it handle heavy. What I mean by that is that the handle weighed it down in the front, so i just put it upright.
 
coote said:
So Cpl... and others with Kydex sheaths.... do you have trouble putting the knife back in the sheath? Does the blade tend to dig into the Kydex unless you are particularly careful?
Click to expand...

Nope, it just slides in. Unlike leather where I darn near shoved more than one knife through the sheath. I love the look of leather, but functionally, kydex can't be beat.

hannibal lecter spyderco said:
Is there a purpose of carrying it in any horizontal position especially on the back.
Click to expand...

Well, carrying the BAD the way I do, I can draw it easily with either hand. It doesn't poke me in the side or leg when I sit/squat/kneel. It's easier to conceal, as you don't have to have a shirt come to mid-thigh to hide the sheath.

Carrying horizontally in the small of the back for big knives, makes them easier to draw (but only on the side of the handle), and utilizes a part of the belt normally not used to carry the knife out of the way. For big knives, I prefer to carry them on the thigh or on a baldric.
 
Interesting....

Yep, I am also inclined to think that the Gameskeeper is a bit on the big side for being unobtrusive if being carried horizontally in front. However I was surprised to find that the handle wasn't as heavy as I thought it might be..... I guess the tang may have had some non-functional metal drilled or machined away. But I do prefer to use a horizontal sheath if at all possible, so I'd like to try it.

I have searched around, but I haven't yet noticed a ready-made Kydex sheath for this model of knife. If I don't find an off-the-shelf model, I guess I will have to email the makers that I like the look of.

Those are handy-looking rigs in the pictures above.
 
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