Knife and Backpack Belt Issues

[paleraider]

I have a Benchmade 162 Bushcrafter that I love to take with me. It is essentially my go to knife for everything. Yet I have found that with a back pack on it is very uncomfortable to have it on my belt. Does anyone have any suggestions or better ways to carry it on my person so it isn't an issue?

I have tried carrying it on my chest by attaching it to the bino harness, yet it flops around quite a bit and isn't easily used from that position. I also don't want to attach it to the backpack as I like having it on my persons.

 

[mrgreen]

I don't have the Benchmade, but I rigged a simple solution. I cut a piece of stiff leather and attached two rubber pull-the-dot loops, like you see on kydex holsters. I keep it in the belt pouch on my pack, when I'm wearing the pack with a sheath knife it's easy to pass the leather part through the belt loop on the sheath, then snap the loops around my pants belt under the pack belt. If you go this route, just make the attachment so the knife will clear the pack belt. And be sure the knife is comfortable hanging lower, mine is crossdraw so it's still very comfortable.

 

[twall13]

I can understand the desire to keep the knife on you at all times so my solution probably doesn't work for you. I made a kydex sheath for my knife and attached it to the shoulder strap of my pack. That way, when I'm hiking it's always really easy to access hanging on my shoulder strap. Since it's a spare sheath that I made, when I take my pack off I can easily detach the knife from the sheath and put it in the original sheath. Of course that means you have to remember to take it off and put it back on your person so it doesn't solve your problem but it's the best I've come up with so far. My original intent with the kydex sheath was to hang it from my neck, but I found my knife was heavier than I like for that purpose and I imagine the Benchmade Bushcrafter would be as well. I'm subscribed as I'd like to see what others do as well.

 

[IdahoElk]

I made this knife and sheath for my Kuiu pack as I was having the same issue as you.This knife does 90% of my daily chores while hunting and my bigger knife meant for cleaning Elk stays in my pack until needed.The Kydex sheath keeps it locked in place quite nicely.



Overall length of knife is 6" and you don't even know it's there when hiking.

 

[mrgreen]

Wow! That is some awesome work.

 

[crmiller84]

Dangler for sure. Clears my pack belt and still is within easy reach.

 

[paleraider]

I made this knife and sheath for my Kuiu pack as I was having the same issue as you.This knife does 90% of my daily chores while hunting and my bigger knife meant for cleaning Elk stays in my pack until needed.The Kydex sheath keeps it locked in place quite nicely.

That sir is nicely done.

Thanks for all the ideas guys. I am thinking of attempting the same thing, a bit of googling and youtube and it seems feasible to make another Kydex sheath at home that will do what I want. I may even create a hip one and see which I like better.

 

[IdahoElk]

Thanks for the kind words,hope this gave you some ideas.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Would you consider a necker sheath?

CWH did a great DIY tutorial on making kydex necker sheaths on the DIY Modification sub-forum.

Idahoelk, beautiful solution and craftsmanship!
Hunt'nFish

 

[paleraider]

I had thought about that but I think the knife is a bit too heavy for a neck knife. Also I will have a bino harness and some camera gear strapped to the front, so it would make for a cluttered work space.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I like sharply pokey things. My preference is to carry a fixed bladed belt knife. I like having it on my pants vs pack belt, shoulder strap or even bino harness. Much higher chance it is on me when I want it or need it.

I currently use a Dan Winkler in a Kydex sheath. I drop it below my belt line with a couple of nylon straps that lower it enough for me to get it below the belt and have the knife hilt tilt forward and stick out to the side around the pack hip belt. I have done the same thing with two long molle clips in the past. I will try to take some pics.

In the meantime - Knife Extension | Special Operations Equipment - I used a version of this in .mil and for years later.

 

[MattB]

My knives ride in my pack.

 

[maverick351]

Idahoelk what knife is that. I like your idea.

 

[IdahoElk]

Thanks,It's a damascus tactical blade with a micarta handle that I made.

 

[Flyrod]

Dangler for sure. Clears my pack belt and still is within easy reach.

This….
dangler sheath. Knife will ride below pack belt.

 

[Flyrod]

I've even seen some tie a longer piece of cordage to the top and bottom of the sheath and wear it over their shoulder like a shoulder bag. Thus having the blade ride horizontal.

 

[Elkangle]

Another option beings your knife is a bit big to have fixed on your shoulder strap, try loosening your shoulder strap until it comes completely loose and free from the pack frame....then run the webbing down through the knife....then conect it back to the frame of the pack

The knife should slide on down the strapping until it hits the the frame.....still accessible but way out if the way

This is how I Carry my shooting sticks