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Just wondering if anyone carries a fixed blade knife instead of a folder. I have some pretty solid folders, but nothings quite as solid as a fixed blade.

If you do, how do you carry it? Boot knife, on the belt, pocket?

I usually carry both fixed & folders. I'm a right hander, so I carry my primary firearm at 3:30~4:00. Opposite of that on my weak side is a fixed blade Buck, Maglite XL50, & spare magazine. I almost always have a folder clipped onto my right front pocket.

What buck do you carry? I picked up a buck paklite skinner (141) that got me wondering about carrying fixed blades.

I carry an 8 inch (total) fixed blade in my right front pocket, exactly where a folder would be clipped. It is just the right size put the pommel just out of sight inside the pocket, but just below the edge where I can get a hold of it and easily draw it. Turns out it rides very well there (with one exception). It has a leather sheath, so the sheath does not stick to it when drawn. The particular knife has a couple downsides, (lacks decent hilt or finger choil and doens't have a good texture on the handle), but overall it works pretty well. No garment to clear, not obvious, draws cleanly and quietly with no fanfare. I need to improve the hilt/grip business, and would like to put a clip on the handle just like those on a folder to make it more secure -- a friend of mine knocked me on my back in practice, and when I hit the ground, the knife came loose. A clip would fix that, altho not as "covert."

I have been experimenting with some smaller fixed blades in other locations, basically neck chain (dogtag type, easily broken) and boot carry. To me, neither seem good for good clean access. Neck carry requires clearing the garment somehow, plus the chain lets the knife swing around a lot. If I end up on my back or my side, the knife swings over under my armpit, and if on my face, I am laying on it. Lengthening the chain brings it closer to the hem of the shirt which improves access a bit (assuming it is an untucked shirt), but amplifies the swinging problem. If you wear a tucked shirt, then access to a neck knife gets even more cumbersome (especially if it is a tucked polo).

I didn't really think I would like boot carry, but it is growing on me. I put it inside left boot at about 4 or 5 o'clock; to draw, I hitch up left pant leg like I am going to sit down, pick up my foot to hand height, and draw with my right hand. Can use opposite leg/hand same way. Works better and smoother than I thought it would, actually. And sitting down, it is accessible. However, it is not as convenient as pocket carry, requires two hands to access quickly...and of course need to wear boots. Not good for a primary blade, but if for some reason can't carry a blade elsewhere, it works out. I have seen pictures of people clipping or strapping knives to exterior of the boot, either inside or outside leg, but that seems not so hidden, and subject to catching on things.

Lots of folks carry at the waist, either angled or horizontal, IWB or OWB, various places around the belt, with untucked shirt over it. Basically like a gun. It works for them, but of course to keep it hidden you need the cover garment, which then requires clearing, unless you don't mind open carrying a knife. Also, the same friend who knocked me down pointed out that in a close grapple situation, especially on the ground, you end up with blade VERY close to your guts. In force-on-force/ground fighting practice, we have been known to draw our opponent's knives (and guns) and use them against the owner. Things around the waist are very discoverable when grappling. Something to think about.

I like fixed blades because they are simple, solid, and inexpensive, especially compared to a folder with a decent lock (e.g CS Tri-Ad). But I do also carry a Spartan in my other pants pocket. You can fit a lot more folding knife in the same space as a fixed blade.


ETA: There are also arrangements where the knife, in a Kydex sheath, is carried in the pocket or tucked in the belt/waistband, and secured to a belt loop by a short cord, just long enough to allow the knife to be in the pocket or waist. When drawn, the sheath is pulled of the blade by cord. The CRKT Folts Minimalist is one of these (it also comes with a belt clip). A downside is that you need about as much room for hand motion as does drawing a folder that uses the wave-type opening or inertial opening methods.

...when I carried a Gerber double-edged Guardian-type in uniform, I slit the boot about 2" down and about 3 1/2" down, giving me a "belt" to clip the holster to, and putting the handle of the knife about even with the boot-top...making it much easier to draw the knife than when it was clipped at the top, where I'd have to hike up my pantsleg much more...it was much more comfortable low in the boot instead of rubbing my calf all night...

...now, I carry a Gerber on the belt on my weak side...

ELB wrote:I like fixed blades because they are simple, solid, and inexpensive, especially compared to a folder with a decent lock (e.g CS Tri-Ad).

I'm thinking of buying a hybrid holster kit and making something like this but with a knife instead of a magazine.

The only time a neck holster works for me is exercise and that's only because waistband carry doesn't.

I carry the small serated tdi on my belt...weakside & reversed so that the handle is forward.
That thing is mean sharp and I want to keep it that way, I never use it for cutting anything. It is dedicated for SD.

74novaman, hopefully not too late, but from another thread looks like you came to the same choice!

Estand wrote:I carry the small serated tdi on my belt...weakside & reversed so that the handle is forward.
That thing is mean sharp and I want to keep it that way, I never use it for cutting anything. It is dedicated for SD.

74novaman, hopefully not too late, but from another thread looks like you came to the same choice!

Actually I've had that TDI for a while. Used to pocket carry it occasionally, but the sheath that came with it got banged up and started rattling, so I haven't carried it in ages. Been thinking about getting back into it, but maybe with another knife.

I normally carry a ESEE 3 IWB at 9 o'clock blade forward. I practice with it alot and figure in a fight I'll slash first stab second. I also sometimes carry a Spyderco Bill Moran that I rigged up in a MercHarness with the knife hanging upside down.

speedsix wrote:... I slit the boot about 2" down and about 3 1/2" down, giving me a "belt" to clip the holster to, ...

That's interesting. Were these leather boots? MIne have synthetic fabric top, would have to sew or seal the edges somehow if I put a slit in them. The knife working with doesn't even have a clip, so half the time when I draw it, the sheath comes with it...not hard to flip it off, but a nuisance and not really functional as such. As I said, this is just experimentation right now, to see if I want to go farther with it.

Boker Magnum Tracker, skinner style...3.75 inch blade, 8.25 inch overall (well under the state limit)...440 stainless...not the best by any means, but then again, I only paid $30-ish for it...came with a simple loop-type leather sheath. I literally wear it every day...even to the college I've been attending...I always wear button-up shirts un-tucked; the shirt tail covers it and even those who've seen me with it have never said a word.

ELB wrote:

speedsix wrote:... I slit the boot about 2" down and about 3 1/2" down, giving me a "belt" to clip the holster to, ...

That's interesting. Were these leather boots? MIne have synthetic fabric top, would have to sew or seal the edges somehow if I put a slit in them. The knife working with doesn't even have a clip, so half the time when I draw it, the sheath comes with it...not hard to flip it off, but a nuisance and not really functional as such. As I said, this is just experimentation right now, to see if I want to go farther with it.

...leather cowboy boots...you could seal your fabric with a hot tool...I'm assuming it's nylon...like combat boots? you might need a backing plate of leather inside the boot(sewn) to keep from cutting the boot and give you something to clip into...mine was inside above the ankle on strong side...easily drawn with either hand...


...the Gerbers I carried in the boot had a steel clip like an IWB holster...the slits that created the "belt" to clip it to went horizontal, not vertical...holster in the boot...clip came out through the top slit and across the "belt", then back into the bottom slit, and the holster didn't come out unless you meant for it to...the sheath had a small keeper that was snap actuated...very secure for running/climbing, etc...this one here...came out in the mid-70s... http://cutlerscove.com/daggers/gerber-guardian1.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

speedsix wrote:...
...leather cowboy boots...you could seal your fabric with a hot tool...I'm assuming it's nylon...like combat boots?...

Thanks for the detailed reply.

Yes, my boots have leather lowers and some kind of nylon-ish/cordura uppers, similar to combat boots. Made by Magnum for police/fire/ems (zippers and composite toe). A heat tool and a leather backer might be the ticket.

The particular knives I am experimenting with are the Cold Steel Kiridashi and the CS Secret Edge. Both have a Securex sheath the holes around the edges, but no clip. I'm sure I could come up with something if I decide boot carry is my thing. Maybe instead of slits, just a couple of holes, and run some 550 cord thru them and the securex holes. We'll see. Thanks again.