Who has found a comfortable method of wearing a large (15"+) HI knife in the bush?
I love a practical, well-made piece of engineering marvel, like HI knives. So I've enjoyed collecting about two dozen. But I've only taken a few of them (my "users") on some big backcountry outings, and found that anything bigger than my 12" Balance was too heavy, and uncomfortable when worn on the left side of my belt, poking me in the lower ribs (especially with that brass metal cap on the sheath), or slapping against the side of my leg, or getting in the way like a bike's kickstand when sitting down, or gouging my left elbow as I walked with regular cadence (hiking poles solved that).
So for those of you who have actually lived and breathed with these works of art at your side, have you found a way to wear them that works well for you?
I've seen a picture or two of Gurkha in the Queen's service, with a BAS worn on the belt and riding in back.
I suspect this is more ceremonial and looking cool, than it is functional.
But I've also seen photos of it worn in front. If the Nepali have perfected this knife, I'm assuming this is the refined way to carry it too:
If that is the best way, then I'll do it.
Still, I'd like to find a way to wear the big knives, and my HI swords, high on the upper back, getting it out of the way, and making the weight easier to tolerate on the long hikes. But is that something only done in the movies and is not actually practical? I'm guessing that would make it rather hard to draw unless the handle were kept sticking up near a shoulder blade; even then, I'd probably slice my ear off drawing from that angle. Thoughts on sheaths/scabbards meant for wearing these on the back? Has anyone made or customized a HI sheath for back carry, or had a sling-like sword sheath made for back carry?
I love a practical, well-made piece of engineering marvel, like HI knives. So I've enjoyed collecting about two dozen. But I've only taken a few of them (my "users") on some big backcountry outings, and found that anything bigger than my 12" Balance was too heavy, and uncomfortable when worn on the left side of my belt, poking me in the lower ribs (especially with that brass metal cap on the sheath), or slapping against the side of my leg, or getting in the way like a bike's kickstand when sitting down, or gouging my left elbow as I walked with regular cadence (hiking poles solved that).
So for those of you who have actually lived and breathed with these works of art at your side, have you found a way to wear them that works well for you?
I've seen a picture or two of Gurkha in the Queen's service, with a BAS worn on the belt and riding in back.
I suspect this is more ceremonial and looking cool, than it is functional.
But I've also seen photos of it worn in front. If the Nepali have perfected this knife, I'm assuming this is the refined way to carry it too:
If that is the best way, then I'll do it.
Still, I'd like to find a way to wear the big knives, and my HI swords, high on the upper back, getting it out of the way, and making the weight easier to tolerate on the long hikes. But is that something only done in the movies and is not actually practical? I'm guessing that would make it rather hard to draw unless the handle were kept sticking up near a shoulder blade; even then, I'd probably slice my ear off drawing from that angle. Thoughts on sheaths/scabbards meant for wearing these on the back? Has anyone made or customized a HI sheath for back carry, or had a sling-like sword sheath made for back carry?