The Scout carry is a form of carrying technique, and it is extremely effective and efficient. This technique involves horizontally securing a knife to the belt. It is undoubtedly one of the best positions to carry a fixed blade knife for everyday carry.
The vertical carry can be uncomfortable in my opinion, it’s just not comfortable enough, I am not saying there is anything wrong with it, the vertical carry is great, I love it, it’s classic, and I still wear it today, but after trying the horizontal carry (the scout carry), I felt a bit more comfortable, and I could access my knife very fast and easily, in the end, it’s a matter of personal preference.
Now if you are interested in scout carry knives, there is no need to worry, I have come up with a list of the best ones you can choose from based on your usages, budget, and style. So let’s begin!
Knives to carry for scouts
1. Benchmade – Hidden Canyon Hunter
No.1
Benchmade – Hidden Canyon Hunter 15016-2
A compact knife for those who are looking to save space, it’s truly about as much knife as you’ll ever need for processing your harvest thanks to the large applied blade radius that excels at skinning and meat removal.
Check Price on AmazonUntil recently, this has been the best-fixed knife you can carry in horizontal, or scout carry, featuring a fusion of good quality steel, handle, ergonomics, it comes with CPM-S30V Stainless Steel with a 2.67 inch drop point, it’s a high-end steel that is corrosion, wear, and wear resistant, and holds an edge As well as steel, it has a wooden handle that is both strong and comfortable to hold, and it offers an excellent ergonomic grip with both an index finger choil and a thumb ramp for a secure hold.
It has a beautiful leather horizontal sheath, offering you a convenient way to carry this knife, I love the simplicity, efficiency, and the fusion of high-quality steel and a well-designed blade, this knife can be used for EDC and outdoor activities, whether you are a hunter, camper, fisherman, or even the simple knife enthusiast, this is the knife for you.
Pros:
- The product has a high corrosion resistance as well as a high wear resistance
- A high-quality steel that provides long-lasting edge retention
- coupled with an attractive and simplistic design
Cons:
- It is not very secure (Kydex is preferred over leather when it comes to sheaths).
2. ESEE 4P
No.2
ESEE – 4 Plain Edge Black Sheath Black Blades
The ESEE Model 4 was designed by Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin as an all-around Tactical, Survival and Bushcraft Knife.
Check Price on AmazonYou need the ESEE 4P if you are looking for pure toughness. The 4P comes with a 4.1 inch drop point blade made of 1095 High Carbon Steel, which is highly hard wearing, long lasting with a decent corrosion resistance.
Micarta is the handle material of this knife, which offers strength and resistance. For ergonomics, the knife features an index choil as well as a thumb ramp, and it comes with a polymer sheath with molle back that can be used as either a scout carry or horizontal carry.
The knife can perform all the hard tasks, such as batoning, starting a fire, cutting wood, cutting rope, as well as being an excellent EDC for small tasks. However, I would not recommend this knife for use in wet or corrosive environments. If you are a fisherman for example, this knife will not be suitable for your needs.
Pros:
- Good edge retention and excellent wear resistance
- A strong handle with a good ergonomics
- As well as a durable sheath that offers several carrying options
Cons:
- Corrosive properties are low, so it will not be a great choice for wet environments
3. Ontario RAT 3
No.3
Ontario Knife Company 8665 Rat-3 Plain Edge
Built to be versatile and durable, the RAT series features 1095 carbon steel, tough micarta handles and MOLLE compatible sheathes.
Check Price on AmazonThe Ontario RAT 3 is the knife I recommend to my friends when they are not able to afford the ESEE 4P. It has the same toughness as the ESEE 4P, but with a smaller blade and handle. The blade is made from a high carbon steel number 1095, which offers excellent toughness and wear resistance.
This knife’s handle is made of Micarta (reminds you of another knife that we reviewed? yes, the ESEE 4P) and I’m guessing that you are aware by now that Micarta is a durable and sturdy material. Furthermore, the ergonomics of the knife are excellent, it includes an index choil and thumb ramp for increased comfort and security to the grip.
We recommend this knife as a second option for those unable to afford the ESEE, primarily because it is half the price, but you are rewarded with a smaller knife.
Overall, my opinion is that it is a great fixed blade that may be carried horizontally, and I highly recommend it, especially if it will be used outside.
Pros:
- Exceptional toughness and wear resistance
- Strong and stable handle
- offers safety and comfort thanks to the ergonomic design
cons:
- The product is not corrosion resistant
4. Gerber Ghoststrike
No.4
Gerber Gear 30-001005N Ghoststrike Fixed Blade Knife
The Ghostrike Series Fixed Blade is an ultra-light self defense knife with a sheath system configurable for low profile or open carry.
Check Price on AmazonA great low-end fixed blade knife from Gerber, the GhostStrike is the perfect choice for those on a tight budget. A 3.3-inch drop point blade is constructed from the 420HC STAINLESS STEEL.
The blade exhibits an excellent corrosion resistance as well as decent edge retention. There are several things of note in this knife, such as the handle has skeletonized design with a rubber texture, which makes it very strong and resistant. For ergonomics, they are not great, but they work fine, it fits nicely in hand, and for the sheath, it can easily be carried horizontally so it can be used as a scout knife. Another thing of note about this knife is that it can be easily hidden, making it a great EDC or tactical knife.
I think it is a good knife for its price, especially for a low-end knife.
Pros:
- Exceptional corrosion resistance and edge retention
- Lightweight and convenient to use
- The knife provides excellent performance in survival and tactical situations. It is easily concealed
Cons:
- This knife is well suited for survival situations and tactical use, and can easily be hidden
5. BUCK 863 Selkirk
No.5
Buck Knives 0863BRS Selkirk Fixed Blade Knife
Named after the rugged Selkirk mountain range beginning in the Northern Panhandle of Idaho, the Selkirk is a mid-sized knife with added features to help maximize survival in rugged and tough conditions.
Check Price on AmazonIt consists of a 4.625-inch drop point blade made of 420HC STAINLESS STEEL which offers great corrosion resistance and good edge retention. Oh, and the famous BUCKS, they’ve made the 863 Selkirk (I still wonder how they come up with such names?).
The survival knife is designed to be multifunctional with additional features to aid in survival when it matters most. Aside from the blade made from 420HC steel, the Selkirk features a micarta handle with steel bolsters (the rear bolster can be used as an improvised hammer) and a belt sheath that can be used horizontally or vertically.
Despite being a lower-end fixed blade knife, it offers great qualities that can be useful both for everyday carry and for outdoor activities such as hunting, camping, and fishing. I recommend this product for users with a low budget looking for a large, fixed blade knife that can easily be carried horizontally.
Pros:
- Corrosion-resistant material
- makes this knife a great camping and survival tool
- Buck Knives offers a lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Edge does not last very long
Why do you carry a knife horizontally?
A simple reason or “advantage” provided by the scout carry led us to make this decision:
1) It does not interfere with anything:
The difference is immediately noticeable when you sit down with a scout carry knife on a hammock chair, or any other chair for that matter. There is simply no obstruction.
Even in situations such as driving a car or lying down/sleeping, you will find it very accessible, even when in a situation like that (you will often sleep with your knife on a hammock chair).
Consider this in comparison with a vertical carry knife…
That is exactly what was removed from HASSL.
2) It’s EASILY accessible:
According to this case study, scout carry knives are superior to vertical carry knives as the vertical carry knife can only be held in one hand, unlike the scout carry knife. It is much easier to carry a belt knife whether you are left or right handed.
In the event that your hand becomes broken in the course of hunting or camping, and one of your arms is also broken, you are still able to reach your knife safely and quickly, without making additional movements that could worsen the injury.
3) It can be CONCEALED
The vertical carry knife is unattractive to us because it draws attention, especially in public areas. The next question you may ask would be, “Why would someone carry a knife in public?”.
We are sure you have already taken a walk in a national park with your family or alone with your EDC knives in hand, and then noticed the “He Have A Knife” Eyes just standing before you.
There is a reason for this, since many people are not used to seeing knives in public; most of us are used to carrying folder knives.
Basically, Scout carry knives are a game-changer. You are able to place them behind your back and walk freely without being noticed.
Conclusions
It is a great way to carry your knife horizontally, in my list I have included knives that can be carried this way thanks to their sheath, but that doesn’t mean they are the only knives available to you, you can make your own horizontal sheath that fits your knife, and this can save yourself some money. Other than this, I hope you have gained some value from this article, and if you have any questions or concerns about knives, please feel free to contact me using the comments section.