practical fast draw for fixed blade

J

jeffright

Joined
Jul 13, 2015
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I am new to carrying a fixed blade and I'm looking for a sheath that is practical and works. I have been carrying a 5.5" fixed blade with a guard in a leather scabbard-type sheath that hangs freely from the belt. The knife is also secured by a loop. This isn't my photo, but it looks like this one:

BO121918c.jpg


It is not working. The top strap is too slow (even after breaking in) and the strap it hangs from is too limp so the knife cannot be drawn quickly without holding the scabbard down with the other hand.

I am thinking I need something stiff like thicker leather or kydex, but I have a couple other needs:

I want it to hang low enough to be clearly visible below a shirt. State law does not allow me to conceal it.

I don't want to wrap my leg with webbing or paracord.

Advice?
 
Pardon my ignorance about sheaths. I've seen this kind of sheath, but it looks like the nylon strap it hangs from will flex and the sheath pull up when drawing unless the kydex part was tied down.

Ek43-AltImage-Hero.png


spartan%20blades%20kydex%20breed%20sheath_LRG.jpg


I also see a lot of all-nylon or poly sheaths that come with knives that do not look like they could be drawn from without tying them down:

KABK22Sa.jpg



what works that I could hang low and freely from the belt and draw?
 
1) Get rigid sheath, leather/kydex, whatever works for you.
2) Get a rigid belt, duty belt, gun belt; Galco, Bianchi, etc.
3) Tuck your shirt in.
 
I normally tuck my shirt in. If I wear a heavy wool shirt, sweater or jacket, I do not tuck it in. Covering the knife even partially is without a question a misdemeanor crime.

I wear a 1.5" heavy-duty nylon web belt or similar wide leather belt. It is not quite a duty belt, but it's pretty wide and stiff.
 
They carry folders. I have those, but want a fixed blade. Theoretically, the fixed blade is supposed to be faster to draw (which is not its only advantage or even the one for which I carry it), but obviously this depends entirely on the sheath.

I imagine a lot of people that do carry a fixed blade do not care about the draw or presentation. They just use it for utility purposes and are happy to have it wound onto their backpack with paracord or whatever. I understand a few "bikers" carry fixed blades on the thigh, but I honestly haven't seen a good rig, just dropped sheaths that allow open carry, but don't necessarily draw fast.
 
You can go neck knife and wear it outside your clothing at all times.

You can go with a clip on sheath and attach it to your outermost layer or wear cargo pants and clip it to a lower pocket.
 
I appreciate the suggestions, but what I'm looking for is an actual sheath that I can buy or copy, not just the idea for one.

I do wear cargo pants and I tried a sheath on the leg in that area. What I found with the sheath attached to the cargo pocket was that drawing the knife just lifts my pant leg. To draw fast and reliably from the thigh, the sheath has to be strapped tightly to the leg or have a rigid support to the belt. Leg straps are too obtrusive and uncomfortable.

A neck sheath could work very well, but it must not swing around. Because it will be a somewhat large fixed blade (5.5" or longer), I don't want it to bang things when I lean over, or to swing and smack things when I turn side to side. If it hung from the neck and attached to the shirt placket sweater or jacket somehow, that might work. I'm not sure how that could work. Maybe a magnet. The magnet doesn't have to resist the draw. The neck strap would do that.
 
for a fast draw you need to buy a tactical vest and a kydex sheath,
attach the sheath upside down on the vest and don`t forget the thing on the back that says "operator", every cardboard in the neighborhood will be scared shirtless...just kidding...:p
get a smaller blade like a Ridge back or Esee 3 or 4 and carry scout carry...
 
jeffright said:
They carry folders. I have those, but want a fixed blade. Theoretically, the fixed blade is supposed to be faster to draw (which is not its only advantage or even the one for which I carry it), but obviously this depends entirely on the sheath.

I imagine a lot of people that do carry a fixed blade do not care about the draw or presentation. They just use it for utility purposes and are happy to have it wound onto their backpack with paracord or whatever. I understand a few "bikers" carry fixed blades on the thigh, but I honestly haven't seen a good rig, just dropped sheaths that allow open carry, but don't necessarily draw fast.
Click to expand...


I can promise you that a Emerson knife is faster than any fixed blade around
 
jeffright said:
I appreciate the suggestions, but what I'm looking for is an actual sheath that I can buy or copy, not just the idea for one.

I do wear cargo pants and I tried a sheath on the leg in that area. What I found with the sheath attached to the cargo pocket was that drawing the knife just lifts my pant leg. To draw fast and reliably from the thigh, the sheath has to be strapped tightly to the leg or have a rigid support to the belt. Leg straps are too obtrusive and uncomfortable.

A neck sheath could work very well, but it must not swing around. Because it will be a somewhat large fixed blade (5.5" or longer), I don't want it to bang things when I lean over, or to swing and smack things when I turn side to side. If it hung from the neck and attached to the shirt placket sweater or jacket somehow, that might work. I'm not sure how that could work. Maybe a magnet. The magnet doesn't have to resist the draw. The neck strap would do that.
Click to expand...


Ever thought of making a kydex sheath ???

Here's a link. http://willowhavenoutdoor.com/general-survival/the-1-hour-custom-kydex-knife-sheath-in-your-kitchen/

And 1 more http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1329828-Kydex-sheath
 
James w said:
I can promise you that a Emerson knife is faster than any fixed blade around
Click to expand...

In a way, yes and no.
I've been carrying pocket knives for years in my right front pocket, so that's where I automatically go if I need a cutting tool.

I tried carrying the Kabar tdi on my weak side cross draw and since I don't tuck my shirt in, I would have to lift my shirt to grab it, but I believe if the fixed blade and Emerson(or any other waved knife) were in the same exact spot, the waved knife would be a tad slower, because it does still have to open, and there's chances of it not waving properly. Plus you do need a little room to wave a knife out.

To me, fastest way to draw a fixed blade would be cross draw kydex sheath. That way you can reach it with either hand.
 
Riley12 said:
In a way, yes and no.
I've been carrying pocket knives for years in my right front pocket, so that's where I automatically go if I need a cutting tool.

I tried carrying the Kabar tdi on my weak side cross draw and since I don't tuck my shirt in, I would have to lift my shirt to grab it, but I believe if the fixed blade and Emerson(or any other waved knife) were in the same exact spot, the waved knife would be a tad slower, because it does still have to open, and there's chances of it not waving properly. Plus you do need a little room to wave a knife out.

To me, fastest way to draw a fixed blade would be cross draw kydex sheath. That way you can reach it with either hand.
Click to expand...

Lol do you even have a wave knife I'm talking about a drop leg mount were you need to unbutton it but I would still say that I could get my Emerson knife out quicker
 
James w said:
Lol do you even have a wave knife I'm talking about a drop leg mount were you need to unbutton it but I would still say that I could get my Emerson knife out quicker
Click to expand...

Yes, I own probably 6 or 7 waved knives, including emersons, and I wasn't aware you were talking about the certain button clasp sheath. You just said fixed blade.
In that case, an Emerson knife (with a wave) would be faster. But there's still a chance of it not waving out, which I've had happen before.

OP was asking for a different sheath for his fixed blade. Not for a folding knife.
 
He was saying that fixed blade draw is faster and I was contradicting what he said
 
James w said:
He was saying that fixed blade draw is faster and I was contradicting what he said
Click to expand...

Clearly you're not understanding what I'm saying.

OP if you're looking for a sheath that's faster to deploy your knife than that, go for kydex. Maybe run paracord through the holes to create belt loops that would make the knife ride higher and just keep your shirt tucked.
 
I happened to make the sheath pictured just above and it does function well for fast cross draw. It can also be configured for scout carry, and can be made full horizontal rather than angled.

Paul
 
sheathmaker said:
I happened to make the sheath pictured just above and it does function well for fast cross draw. It can also be configured for scout carry, and can be made full horizontal rather than angled.

Paul
Click to expand...

Yes you did and I've been meaning to email you for more!
 
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