Recommendation? Thoughts on open scout-carry?

M

markymark6290

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Mar 2, 2017
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So, I typically carry a Becker BK14 on my hip, but have recently found more use in my ESEE 3-Mil, which I typically carry either on my bag or scout-carry on the small of my back. I always keep a knife on my person, even on the job, but was curious as to anyone's experience scout-carrying a knife in every day life.

North Carolina is an open-carry state, with a stipulation that the knife isn't carried with the intent to intimidate or terrify the general public, and while I enjoy scout carry, I worry that some might see it as provocational or instigatory.

For reference, this is where it usually sits on my pack, for easy cross draw in the field:

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I saw a guy carrying a knife in the small of his back like that at the grocery store the other day. Even as a guy into knives, it looked weird. Even I perceived it as a weapon rather than a tool. Carry what you like and what's legal but if you care about how you're perceived by strangers, it's probably not the best option.
 
Don't carry small of your back. It's more likely to lead to injury if you fall, and if you're carrying like that out and about, you have little control over it while it's behind you.

That same horizontal carry, carried in front of you, say to the left of your belt buckle, is excellent.
 
I carry the G3 on my belt at about 5 o'clock sometimes and every once in awhile I'll get a comment from a sub or someone out in public complaining about it "looks" but sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches f-em!

My favorite statement was from a sub I work with:
"You know this is a safe place right?"
 
blade man said:
Don't carry small of your back. It's more likely to lead to injury if you fall, and if you're carrying like that out and about, you have little control over it while it's behind you.

That same horizontal carry, carried in front of you, say to the left of your belt buckle, is excellent.
Click to expand...

This was my experience. I liked the idea behind scout carry as a concealed option but it quickly became apparent that it was not great for a knife that would go in and out of the sheath a lot as it became a bastard to find the sheath.

I found horizontal carry at the hip to be fantastic and especially like a reverse grip draw for a bigger knife as I feel like I have more control when re-sheathing it. Right around the belt buckle for something smaller like a 3" fixed has worked well for ease of access.

Scout carry, near the small of your back, is nice for carrying a knife but not for using one, IMO. I think it would be a great way to carry a camp knife or something like that when you want it out of the way but when you want to use it you would want to relocate it to something more convenient. YMMV
 
In my area that would be considered pretty normal. I say do I and if it turns out you don't like it that's ok but if you do, do it forever.
 
I find scout carry cool looking and really impractical. The knife fouls and can catches on stuff both when carried on your back (with the added risk of injury if you fall backward and on the front it interferes with my belt, seatbelts, and etc.

I have my Winkler belt knife setup for vertical on my right side at 3:00 and can draw normal and reverse, re-sheath no hassles and it just sticks right next to my body. If I want to go low signature I just pull my shirt over it and it vanishes.
 
If carrying on a pack, I prefer to match both the handle and the Kydex to the pack. Olive Drab and/or Coyote Brown (or similar) in your case.
 
Aquaholicc said:
I carry the G3 on my belt at about 5 o'clock sometimes and every once in awhile I'll get a comment from a sub or someone out in public complaining about it "looks" but sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches f-em!

My favorite statement was from a sub I work with:
"You know this is a safe place right?"
Click to expand...
What's a "sub"?
 
Horizontal cross draw is the only way to go. Works great no matter how active ya are or not. Never in the way and easily accessabile with either hand.

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Make em in several different styles. I've carried this way almost exclusively for years. Whether in the shop or on the ranch, horseback or on foot. Very practical.

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Working at a branding.

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I've never heard of that stipulation here in NorCal, I just know that a fixed blade must be completely unconcealed and a folder must be completely concealed.
This sounds like simple common sense though to not carry for intimidation.

Now I would not scout carry on the small of my back because it's less convenient to use as a cutting tool
And because I'd be paranoid that someone could walk up behind me and grab it.
 
I'll scout carry my TRC K1 on a tek lok only when in the woods or out on the property. Even on trail, it rides inside my pack.

When I stop for a time or am making camp, it goes on the belt.

A pocket holster for a smaller fixed blade worked well.

A clipped flipper is just too easy / secure / concealed to justify anything else in my daily routine. Not giving up much in terms of cutting edge either.
 
Thanks for the advice, guys. Being a lefty, I'm trying it out by strapping it to the right of my belt buckle for a front cross raw, and so far it seems to be REALLY comfortable

adamlau said:
If carrying on a pack, I prefer to match both the handle and the Kydex to the pack. Olive Drab and/or Coyote Brown (or similar) in your case.
Click to expand...

I agree. I actually have an OD sheath for the blade and will probably do so at some point. The tape on the handle is for grip, but the scales underneath are the standard green micarta. I also have a set of TKC G10s in Earth Camo (you can tell I spoil this knife more than all the others). I just ordered an Armatus Carry Esee 3 sheath, so once that gets here, I'll more than likely ditch the black sheath for good, strap the OD green plastic sheath on my bag, and keep the Armatus for body-carry.

Thanks for the replies :D
 
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