Paddling across choppy swamps, stalking through thick growth of old timber or snow tracking a buck in the freezing temperatures - it's in our blood. Wilderness scares man, it exhilarates him, the smell of the dead foliage and the anticipation for the next meal makes him wait in dark stillness for hours .. and then the moment arrives. This is the usual imagery for most hunters when fixed blade knives are mentioned. The indispensable tool that accompanies every hunt, every catch, every turn across the dark woods. However, in recent years, the rugged fixed blade knife has crossed borders and entered the urban jungle.
There's a huge selection of these robust knives now available in all shapes, sizes, and styles. If your state allows carrying a fixed trooper, you should most certainly consider including one of these bad boys in your EDC arsenal. But how do you 'every day carry' one without sacrificing style and convenience?
Carrying fixed blade knives requires more imagination than switchblades and folding knives. These knives cannot be folded and their sharp blades stick out. They're tall, rugged, and will cut through the toughest fabric. Here are a few of my favorite ways to carry these beasts.
Bag Carry
Alright, this takes little imagination but perhaps the one I do most frequently. Most fixed blade knives come in a sheath. So, simply house the genie back in the bottle, secure your sheath and throw it in the backpack. Out of sight, out of mind. Reach for it only when you have to.
OWB - Outside The Waistband
It's another popular form of fixed blade knife carry. This is a simple configuration for the easy-going bushcrafter. Just attach the knife-in-sheath to your belt tip down. It's simple, old-fashioned and it just works.
IWB - Inside The Waistband
This is a concealed carry configuration and similar to how one would carry a gun. Make sure to check the state knife laws to see if concealed carry is legal in your area. The blade within the sheath is tucked inside your cargos - so they're hidden and the handle sticks out ( but often under a t-shirt) so you can still access your weapon in a flash.
Drop Leg
The 'Drop Leg' or the Dangle is a firm favorite of hunters and anglers who prefer dangling the knife (tip-up or down) loosely from the belt. The knife in this case is not rigidly fixed to the hip and can give you more flexibility of movement. However, it sways back and forth which might be off-putting.
Pocket Static Line
This one is for the urban trooper who likes to keep it neat. It's a great little hack for pocket carry where one end of a static line is attached to your loop (or belt) and the other end to the knife sheath. There are plenty of small fixed knives that come in a sheath with a pocket line slot.
Scout
Remember back in the days when you'd carry that invincible Nokia in a phone case attached horizontally to your belt? Maybe you were too young. Scout carry is one of the most practical ways to carry a fixed blade. The sheath attaches to your belt horizontally so you can pull out the knife sideways in one smooth action. The sheath in this case is usually attached to the belt in the back.
