How do you wear a belt knife ?

Hickory n steel

Hickory n steel

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I see lots of woodcraft knife sheaths with danglers and other knives with large loose belt loops , and I wonder why people like them. I've been experimenting with different ways to attach a loop to the sheath of my new mora , and I started wondering about how everyone else likes to belt carry fixed blades.
I don't like anything on my belt to flop around or be loose in any way, so I like my knives to ride at a high to medium height as a low riding sheath is uncomfortable unless it can move or flop.
I will go horizontal if the knife is appropriate and the sheath allows it, but that's usually not the case so medium to high firm riding is how I usually go.

Do you like your sheath firmly in placed or do you like it to dangle ?Do you like it to ride high, medium , or low ? And do you like it vertical or horizontal ?

BTW currently I've got my Mora set up to go under my belt with a loop running down it for the belt to slip through locking it in place. ( It's just a strap with a loop attached to each end so it can slip snugly onto the sheath )
 
I'm like you...prefer it to be firmly attached if possible...don't like free hanging sheaths in general. I prefer kydex or similar over leather and high or medium belt carry...horizontal depending on blade length works for me as well.
 
Danglers are nice I prefer them for the comfort. When you sit, if it is out of position slightly they do not twist at odd angels and pull on your belt or wedge in you side, they just flop or easily be pushed out of the way. Many styles or swords have used a loose attachment system for that very reason, swords do tend to get in the way more. :) They also hang below a jacket or untucked shirt so deployment in colder weather is easy and this also prevents one from getting pinched for a concealed weapon violation. My less than 4" fixed blades ride high and tight.
 
If I'm wearing a fixed blade, then I'm usually backpacking. The dangler allows the knife to be free of the backpack's hip belt. Also, as posted above, it's generally less in the way when sitting and rides below a jacket.

Oh, and I prefer leather sheaths, probably because of aesthetics. I even have my neck knife in a leather sheath.

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I prefer my smaller fixed blades like the Rat 3 and Spyderco Enuff to be IWB. That gets them totally out of the way, and the handle is still short enough to not poke me if I turn certain ways. On my larger knives I like the dangle method. I do want it to be a secure locking sheath though. If I do have to run or jump (doesn't happen much I promise) I don't mind it flopping, as long as it doesn't fall out. I prefer the dangler for same reasons already mentioned. It's easier to get in a vehicle, doesn't interfere with upper garments, and since it hangs lower that's less you have to raise your arm to draw a large knife.
 
Dangle sheaths are comfortable, always able to be shifted in position for comfort either standing or sitting and very nice when getting in an out of vehicle because one can just move the sheath into the desired position.

The same goes for IWB sheaths and sash carry sheaths. I prefer the above three carry modes depending on the knife and the hobby/camping/hiking application.

I make my own sheaths and have experimented with most types of sheaths. For a while it was 'scout' carry, then knives carried high on the belt with a small loop, then later cross draw. The latter can dig into your gut whether you are slender or have a bit of a belly - especially when squatting making a fire/food/other chores.

MOB is not of interest to me - I ride bikes. A metal rod across your spine - no thanks.

Its funny how ones taste evolves; for a long while I was into making and using Scout sheaths - these days its a simple leather thong wound through a hole in the back of the sheath and then around it self making for a simple thin but sufficiently strong belt loop.
 
Small knife - dangler

Large knife - horizontal

That's the most comfortable for me. Normal drops sheathes get in the way, flop around with big knives and can jab you in the side if not set up properly for you.
 
When I do wear a fixed blade it's usually pretty small, so I strap it to my belt and have the sheath in my back pocket so it doesn't move around. I have found it pretty comfortable.


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I'm a fixed blade guy almost always. 99% of the time its horizontal crossdraw. Such as here horseback:

TvYO2Ji.jpg


Very occasionally I don't wear a belt and then its this way:

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Or this:

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But almost always it horizontal crossdraw. Works for the wife too:

GDf57cE.jpg
 
Very nice sheaths. For horseback riding and for that size knife, those sheaths makes a lot of sense IMO.
 
I find sash carry very convenient. Sheath can be shifted to a comfortable position for walking, riding, sitting, driving etc and can be easily removed and put back on inside the belt.

Cord hold ensures that you dont draw the knife with the sheath still on.

A very comfortable means of carry.

 
Something that has come to be called CM Carry... Draws into edge out reverse grip.

 
I carry a 6 inch fixed blade regularly, and in winter is on my belt from the time the lakes freeze until breakup. That said I like high riding pancake sheaths. It keeps the knife out of the way and also out of sight. The only drawback is that the handle is up high making it harder to access.
 
depends on how long the knife is. i like danglers on longer blades. i find it easier and quicker to resheath the knife.
 
It really depends on the blade length of the knife for me. Smaller knives the size of a becker bk14 either carry horizontal crossdraw or a bit high in a leather sheath. Larger knives with a blade length longer than 5 inches it will be a dangler, ease to move around with especially getting off and on tractors or working in the garden.
 
Forgot to mention that I don't carry large fixed blades, the 5 in my edc rotation are 9" long or less.
The reason I like my sheaths to be firmly in place is so I don't have to hold them with my other hand to get the knife out. If the sheath uses a loose blade fit and a retention snap then it wouldn't be as big of a deal, but I try to stay away from retention snaps as they always get in the way. I tolerate it on my seal pup but it is certainly annoying.
 
BladeScout said:
I find sash carry very convenient. Sheath can be shifted to a comfortable position for walking, riding, sitting, driving etc and can be easily removed and put back on inside the belt.

Cord hold ensures that you dont draw the knife with the sheath still on.

A very comfortable means of carry.

Click to expand...

Like the sash idea, do you have a pic of the knife? A Bark River Rogue?
 
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