How to Carry a Knife is important for many reasons. It’s a very useful tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, but it can also be dangerous.
Anyone who is having a knife needs to know how important is to carry a knife safely and responsibly. The sensitivity issue is always there, so must & always assure yourself as well as the security of the people around you.
The knife you just bought is brand new. We shouldn’t let that blade sit unused. Let’s put it to use!
The knife must be with you at all times. When it comes to carrying a knife, what is the best way to do it?
The number of ways to carry knives is almost as great as the number of knife types. Blades can be slipped into pockets, clipped to belts, or you can use a scout carry or arm strap!
The right time and place are available for all of these options. It’s even possible to strap a big ol’ blade to your biceps!
Let’s start with folding knives, one of the most common carrying methods.
How to Carry a Pocket Knife?
It’s easy to carry pocket knives, and, putting the tool in your pocket is as simple as folding them. In fact, it’s as easy as you like!!
The reason I lost several knives, including a gift, is because of this. There may or may not be a pocket clip on your pocket knife. The easiest knives to lose are those without a clip.
Clipless
When pocket knives do not have a clip or another method of attachment, they rely on gravity, friction, or a combination of the two to stay in place.
You can usually keep the knife in your pocket and not worry about it. Pocket knives belong there!
There are, however, several important considerations to keep in mind:
- What is the likelihood of the knife staying in your pocket?
- When you need the knife, can you get it out of your pocket?
A high-quality EDC knife should not be trusted just to any pants pocket. I’ve lost too many pocket knives.
If you’re sitting down, some knives might slip out of your pocket. This likelihood can be checked at home, thankfully. You might be able to find the remote control when you hold the knife in your pocket for a while.
You should also make sure you are able to pull the knife out of the pocket with both hands. Knives are sometimes needed when both hands are occupied, but they are rare situations.
Using a clip
It is so easy to carry a blade with a clip. Take the knife with you wherever you go!
With a knife inside your waistband, you can cut your pants. If you carry something else with you often, you might want to attach it to that item. You can really go anywhere. The orientation of the tip is something to consider.
You can switch around the clip on some knives so the tip is oriented either upward or downward. It is easier to open knives one-handed with tip-up carry, according to many people.
In addition, tip-down carry minimizes your chances of impaling your fingers on a blade that accidentally opened in your pocket when you stick your hand into your pocket.
Occasionally, things like this happen. You may want to keep one-handed access in mind if you are unable to let things (or someone!) go or your hand becomes pinned.
Using a split ring
It’s referred to as a split ring, or cotter ring, on some pocket knives, such as the Victorinox Huntsman. It’s a great way to keep a folding knife with me wherever I go.
My 5.11 Tactical messenger bag contains a Huntsman keyholder and a Kershaw 1025 keychain.
Sheathed
Sheaths come with some pocket knives. While they may look silly, those sheaths are very effective at keeping pocket knives safe.
When it comes to carrying a pocket knife in a sheath, the same methods apply to carrying a fixed blade.
A Guide to Carrying a Fixed Blade Knife
Compared to a pocket knife with the same length blade, fixed-blade knives are longer and more difficult to carry.
In addition, fixed blades come with sheaths, which makes them easier to carry.
Using paracord, you can tie them to just about anything, or you can wear them on belts and straps.
Open Carry
Knives that are carried openly are easily visible to strangers. The device will be more accessible, but inappropriate for fancy social functions (most of the time)!
Away from the waistband
The easiest way to carry a knife is to hang the sheath from your belt. It’s easy to use with either hand if you put it on either side of your hip.
The downside is that this increases your width, so you’ll be more likely to snag on branches.
Carry for Scouts
In contrast to vertical carrying, scout carry involves wearing the sheath horizontally on your belt. However, there are some disadvantages as well.
If you want to keep a survival or hunting knife on your belt, Scout carry is best for smaller fixed-blade knives.
The device can also be concealed to some extent!
Straps on shoulders
Straps are attached to backpacks. An excellent hunting setup can be created by attaching a sheath to them with the handle down.
The knife should be worn across your shoulder opposite your primary hand. What is your dominant hand? Strap on the left shoulder!
The knife remains accessible with your off-hand, allowing for easy drawing.
Affixed to a limb
Generally, people strap sheaths to their upper arms or thighs to look cool instead of to be practical.
Your bedroom should have that. A knife can, however, be strapped to your arm or leg in certain circumstances.
Divers who dive with knives mount them on their arms along with other tools for cutting.
Carry concealed
The knife may be a tool, but for some people, it is a weapon of terror. When wandering the streets of a city, it is a good idea to hide your blades.
Inside the Waistband
Much like a handgun, some knife sheaths are set up for you to be able to wear them inside your pants while still attached to your belt.
This slows down your draw but is good for concealment. Long knives can chafe against your legs, though!
Most pistol belts are longer and stronger than normal belts to make up for a handgun’s weight and volume but you don’t need to worry about this as much with a fixed-blade knife.
Still, a good gun belt is a better knife holder than a wimpy dollar-store belt.
Drop Leg Holsters
Knives can be strapped to your thighs if you wear a skirt, kilt, or especially a breezy pair of shorts.
This carry method is not necessarily recommended, but a well-armed young lady has used it successfully in the past.
Carry on the neck
Practical necklaces consist of small knives hanging from straps or chains. Always have a backup blade handy by slipping it under your shirt.
Let it hang free in the woods once you are there!
Carry boots or ankles
If you keep your main blade so far from your hands, I wouldn’t keep a backup knife on your lower leg.
The size of your boots does not limit the size of your blades. Gerber Ghoststrike knives, for example, come with ankle sheaths.
Lastly:
It’s simple to carry a pocket knife or fixed blade, but there are interesting tricks to make it more effective.
The knife is carried effectively without causing discomfort, and it is easily drawn with either hand.
A few (fortunately inexpensive) penknives fell out of my pockets at the beginning. My knife is always close at hand, no matter where I am. It’s been years since I’ve lost a knife.
The same thing happens to experienced bushcrafters as well!
Which knife carry method do you prefer? Comment below and tell me what you think!