How could I make a carry system for a knife on my shoulder/back???? Please help!

Translash

Translash

Doing evil things...
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
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Hi guys! I want to make an efficient way to carry a large knife and have good access to it. The method I have seen to be appealing is carrying it over the back of the shoulder. I like this method because it gives me good draw access. Most people have it attached to their pack (or inside their pack), and some dudes carry it on their belt. Im not a big fan of carrying 16 inch blades on my belt because it really sags :thumbdn:.

Here are some examples that I found to illustrate what I mean:

JayGoliath said:
VillagerkhukinAfghan.jpg


I'm amazed at how the khuk was secured onto his pouch from the back.

A lefty? refreshing to see a villager's in a battlefield.
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Gunmonkey357 said:
Photoon2011-05-28at1700.jpg
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3043903438e5f9dc811ebce8.jpg
XD

I hope you guys get the gist.

Any suggestions on an existing carry system or how I could probably create one out of webbing?
 
Do what the guy in the 2nd pic did and strap it to the side of your backpack. Unless you wear bodyarmor to go hiking there's nowhere else to mount it really.
 
heavy duty black zip ties to attach to the side of your pack if it has any attachment points.
If not, sew some webbing or d-rings on or melt a couple of grommet holes in it for mounting points.
 
Hello Translash,

(( spam ))

Hope this info has been helpful.

Best Regards,
Jay Maines
 
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Something to consider, it is almost inevitable, if your sheath has a strap/snap to hold the blade in, that it will be cut when unsheathing/resheathing the knife. IMHO, i would consider a properly made kydex sheath with no strap/snap, just a good retention by form fitting the knife. Then just a quick pull or push will unsheath it/resheath it.
 
What kind of knife/sword/machete are you planning to carry this way?

For a large knife, I really like the balderic set up that Jay Maines is talking about. Twinstick also makes a good point about the advantages of a good kydex sheath.

I have a couple waki style machetes that I carry on a custom kydex balderic rig, that allows for comfortable, out of the way carry, and over the shoulder draw.

This is a lightly customized balderic rig made by Steelnut, for my Swamprat Waki...

003-3.jpg

005-3.jpg


Something similar to this could be rigged up with any thick strap. I've done it on other blades using a rifle sling and zip ties.
 
thanks for the input guys. I am planning to strap a large knife to my back (vertically) namely the browning competition knife. I like jay maines baldric idea, but Im not too fond of leather straps. I prefer nylon webbing if possible,and was planning to making my own straps/harness if there arent any out there. thanks for the suggestions though!
 
Translash said:
thanks for the input guys. I am planning to strap a large knife to my back (vertically) namely the browning competition knife. I like jay maines baldric idea, but Im not too fond of leather straps. I prefer nylon webbing if possible,and was planning to making my own straps/harness if there arent any out there. thanks for the suggestions though!
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I have a Browning Comp knife too, I'd be interested to see what you come up with for it!

I don't mind carrying mine on my hip, but I'm not all that impressed with the sheath. I was thinking of having a custom kydex sheath made for it.

If you don't care for leather, and would rather have a kydex/nylon system, you may want to check out Steelnut's stuff here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/833-Kiahdex-Sheath-Systems
 
I did something similar w/ my Kabar Kukri Machete (before giving it to a friend) for little or no money.

Just make a relatively snug loop to run diagonally across your back and affix the top (belt loop or whatever) and bottom of the sheath to it. Then run one more line from where top of the sheath sheath connects to your para loop down to your belt in front. Sounds complicated but once you strap the big knife on with loop, you can feel where you need one more supporting line.

---

Beckerhead #42
 
No good use for such a thing. I'd advise this.

meninblacklnoisycricket_480x360.jpg


It's good enough for MIBs.
 
ssblood said:
No good use for such a thing. I'd advise this.

meninblacklnoisycricket_480x360.jpg


It's good enough for MIBs.
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Whatever are you talking about? Are you suggesting there is no reason to carry a tool on or across ones back in a way that both gets it out of your way, yet still allows for easy access and comfortable carry? Seems to me there is a reason poeple of many cultures throughout history have carried tools and weapons in a similar fashion.

...what does the cricket have to do with knives anyway?:confused:
 
Edited: sorry for sarcasm went a little too far
 
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I would just slide a sheath into the Camelback bladder pouch in a backpack. That's where I tend to carry my hatchet and it works well. It's a good balance between accessible and convenient. The times when I need to use a hatchet/ big knife are times when I have my pack off anyway.

There are three problems I can see with the ninja-carry method you show in your examples. One is that it's going to be hard to efficiently resheath the blade. Two is that it's going to be uncomfortable and probably chafe the crap out of you if you're moving any distance. Third: Unless you're a Gurkha or a video game character people will laugh at you. Maybe not to your face, because you're some wierdo with a He-Man sheath, but definitely when you move out of sight.
 
Grapeshot said:
I would just slide a sheath into the Camelback bladder pouch in a backpack. That's where I tend to carry my hatchet and it works well. It's a good balance between accessible and convenient. The times when I need to use a hatchet/ big knife are times when I have my pack off anyway.

There are three problems I can see with the ninja-carry method you show in your examples. One is that it's going to be hard to efficiently resheath the blade. Two is that it's going to be uncomfortable and probably chafe the crap out of you if you're moving any distance. Third: Unless you're a Gurkha or a video game character people will laugh at you. Maybe not to your face, because you're some wierdo with a He-Man sheath, but definitely when you move out of sight.
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Hey sir thanks very much for your constructive input. Personally, I do not view carrying a 10 inch bladed knife on the back as a negative connotation of a ninja, or a game character (I used chris redfield as an example..). Maybe if it were some sort of katana or odo, i would look strangely. For me, carrying a heavier knife on the back would serve an easier method to draw and carry without the hassle of having it weigh down your belt, especially if I were going to (and i most definitely will) carry smaller camp/bushcraft knives as well. If people view it differently, maybe I am suggesting a dumb method, I dont know. I really don't see anything wrong with it but other's opinions have made me feel a little down about this method. Thanks for the input though!
 
Grapeshot said:
There are three problems I can see with the ninja-carry method you show in your examples. One is that it's going to be hard to efficiently resheath the blade. Two is that it's going to be uncomfortable and probably chafe the crap out of you if you're moving any distance. Third: Unless you're a Gurkha or a video game character people will laugh at you. Maybe not to your face, because you're some wierdo with a He-Man sheath, but definitely when you move out of sight.
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haha... I've been carrying waki style machetes that way for years with little problem. I do realize it looks pretty funny, that's why I wouldn't wear it that way around a crowded camp site, but out in the woods all by myself clearring trails it doesn't matter how crazy I look :)

Resheathing it just takes a little practice, it's not that bad at all. And as for chafing, it's not bad whith a shirt on, but it did chafe some against bare skin. I have since remedied that with a piece of soft leather on the part of the strap that contacts my shoulder.

The wakis are fun and useful as both toy and tool, and I really do find this method of carry MUCH more prfferable to hip carry.

Not sure how well it would work with a bowie sized knife like the OP plans, but those leather balderic set ups Jay Maines linked to are very nice, have many benefits over hip carry, and have been used by many serious outdoorsman who probably spend more time in the sticks than either of us.

Carry how ever you like, I'm just sayin don't be too quick to write off something different. :)
 
Translash said:
I really don't see anything wrong with it but other's opinions have made me feel a little down about this method. !
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Don't let a few peoples comments discourage you man. There are simply a few negative people around here who love to spout anti-knife hate, thinly veiled by sarcasm. I wouldn't worry about it though.
 
Do it the way you want. Take some time & research it a bit as well as the people that do make them (if you don't want to do it yourself). Don't worry what others comments are, who knows, you might make the next "big thing". Research Baldric rig.
 
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