How do you carry your fixed blade?

Weasipoint

Weasipoint

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I've open carried fixed blades for years and never thought anything about it, but today a comment made me think about it. I carry all sizes up to 6in, never anything bigger though and always up and down carry on the belt so it's seen. Today while shopping I heard an older woman tell her husband, "that guy is carrying a big knife" (a buck 119 today) and then I saw them walk away quickly. I've never been into open carrying my handguns, but never thought that a knife would scare people or make them uncomfortable. Any thoughts or similar experiences? And how do you carry, open or concealed and is there a reason other than personal preference? I do understand that some people see them only as weapons, but this is the first experience I've had where someone was openely verbally and physically disturbed to see my knife.
 
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Although I can open carry a fixed blade in public here in MI, I don't for the exact reason you mentioned. People panic. I also don't open carry a handgun. I got my CPL.

I live outside of Detroit, so we have our problems with violence on a daily basis. Although I might be in my rights to open carry, I don't to avoid the hassle, glares, comments, and people pointing and shouting.

I do open carry when I camp/hike (which is rare nowadays) or when I'm in the upper thumb or U.P. Those *rural* folks are a little more understanding with open carry. My preferred method of carry is a dangler like guy g guy g 's 2nd pic.
 
Weasipoint said:
I've open carried fixed blades for years and never thought anything about it, but today a comment made me think about it. I carry all sizes up to 6in, never anything bigger though and always up and down carry on the belt so it's seen. Today while shopping I heard an older woman tell her husband, "that guy is carrying a big knife" (a buck 119 today) and then I saw them walk away quickly. I've never been into open carrying my handguns, but never thought that a knife would scare people or make them uncomfortable. Any thoughts or similar experiences? And how do you carry, open or canceled and is there a reason other than person preference? I do understand that some people see them only as weapons, but this is the first experience I've had where someone was openely verbally and physically disturbed to see my knife.
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Always concealed after an experience similar to yours. My foolish teenage self belt carried a fox karambit to a former friend’s house. Non-knife folks in the house got anxious, which was inconsiderate of me and I could have easily avoided it. In hindsight, I should’ve been more discreet.

From then on, it was pocket carry or concealed carry for me, and if someone needs help opening stuff, the blade is called to service and sheathed quickly.
 
Yeah I'm starting to lean towards the concealed now, never cared before but also didn't think about it. Might be a good thing this happened today and that is was very minor, next time could turn into a big deal, especially with all the violence going on in the world. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, I've just always enjoyed having the knife hanging and having fast access to it. I've got some with adjustable clips, going to switch them and give the scout carry a try, also like the pocket idea for smaller ones like guy g guy g showed in his picture.
 
Weasipoint said:
Scout carry? I've been considering that, is it comfortable or easy to adjust if you sit down? I like them up and down on the belt because it's easy to move around when sitting or anything
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I use two sheaths, one belt loop and one clip on; I use the clip more because it's faster. The loop is bit more secure.
Actually I'm at 1-2 o'clock on the belt. If you really need to adjust for comfort you can skip the first belt loop on your pants and slide it around some.
No problem, I drive and sit at my desk all the time. My blades are 4" though once in a while I'll carry something in 9" OAL range.

IMG_0681.jpg
 
Weasipoint said:
I've open carried fixed blades for years and never thought anything about it, but today a comment made me think about it. I carry all sizes up to 6in, never anything bigger though and always up and down carry on the belt so it's seen. Today while shopping I heard an older woman tell her husband, "that guy is carrying a big knife" (a buck 119 today) and then I saw them walk away quickly. I've never been into open carrying my handguns, but never thought that a knife would scare people or make them uncomfortable. Any thoughts or similar experiences? And how do you carry, open or concealed and is there a reason other than personal preference? I do understand that some people see them only as weapons, but this is the first experience I've had where someone was openely verbally and physically disturbed to see my knife.
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In North Dakota?!
 
Yep North Dakota, I moved here about 3 weeks ago from Texas. I looked up the laws and what I understand is you can carry anything under 5.5in non concealed, and no limits on open carry
 
Weasipoint said:
Yep North Dakota, I moved here about 3 weeks ago from Texas. I looked up the laws and what I understand is you can carry anything under 5.5in non concealed, and no limits on open carry
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Ever have a knife that turns into a pickle? Funniest shit I’ve ever seen.
 
I carry horizontal at the belt buckle too. Allows for standard and reverse grip draw in the event that someone has me clinched. Also allows me to use my hips to create space and even manufacture a draw. I usually carry something with a smaller blade. Lately it’s an Old Timer from Auxiliary Manufacturing, but I also carry a Spartan Blades Enyo. I’m chubby, so both of my options sit really flat and my beer gut masks their presence.
 
Depends on the knife. I have a couple of sheaths I've made for my Fiddleback Monarch. It sports about a 3 3/4" blade, so it pockets well. However, it's kinda small and looks really lovely and no threatening, so I also have a clip sheath I carry at about 4:30/5 o'clock. Doesn't get a second look even when my shirt is tucked in and is very handy.

Just for fun, I made a new sheath for my Cold Steel Tai Pan the other day. The Secure Ex that it comes with is a bucket of suck and dulls the blade. It also hangs kinda low. I made one that rides quite a bit higher where the guard holds about 2" above my belt and is designed to be worn at 11 o'clock and drawn in a downward grip. Impractical for an impractical blade, but it was fun to make and, goofy or not, much better than the stock sheath.
 
In the right front pocket (OK, the big in the middle is not my first choice...) :
Q9EdcTH.jpg


This one is great, I mean smooth in the pocket and totally in the Sgian Dubh spirit, I must say :
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Best of all probably... It does all what I need it to do and stays quietly at the bottom of my huge carpenter pant's pocket :
dwGzMeu.jpg
 
I only carry fixed for yard work, camping or hunting but will leave it on to go to the store, etc if that is convenient.


Don’t change because of the ill-informed opinions of a couple of idiots. They probably are hoplophobes in general and would prefer you never had anything pointy around them.
 
Horizontal crossdraw has been my preferred method for some time now, a couple of decades.

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The wife just switched recently from horizontal to just behind the hip:

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No eyes batted around here. Saturday night we went to a concert (Dave Stamey, best western singer you may or may have not heard of), carrying the knives as we always do. No eyes batted, other folks were openly carrying knives too.
 
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