SECURING YOUR STEEL

A VARIETY OF CARRY OPTIONS FOR YOUR INDISPENSABLE BLADE

- Tim Stetzer

Knives are, without a doubt, one of man’s oldest tools. They have been a necessity for everything from food prep, to cutting cordage to self-defense. Of course, none of that is possible if you don’t have your knife always nearby and accessible when you need it, so a good carry method is crucial to a sound overall knife system.

For thousands of years, carrying a knife consisted mainly of a wood, leather, or possibly metal sheath for a fixed-blade knife, and later simply dropping a folder into a pocket or belt pouch. Both of those methods are still viable today, but as humans developed, so did the options to carry our blades and make them much more accessible when needed.

The two main categories of knives, fixed and folders, will be presented, and the great number of options, some known and others perhaps new to you, to carry them will be explored.

FOLDER CARRY

Pocket pal

Pocket carry is just what it sounds like, just dropping a folder into our pocket. This was the norm for ages and was the main way we carried folders such as the classic slip-joint or Swiss Army Knife. It was convenient, since most folks wore pants or jackets with pockets, and it was a discreet way to carry a knife. The downsides were that it generally wasn’t particularly fast to access, and a heavy or large knife could be uncomfortable bouncing​ around in your trouser pocket all through your day.

Hanging by your side