[Hoplophile]

A large one, not a folding one. Standard UMSC issue. I just don't want to freak people out and I like my fixed blade more than I like my folding blades.

I've found that, sheathed, if worn IWB with the pommel barely above the waistband, it doesn't restrict movement.

How do others do this?

[JShirley]

Um, most don't.

Carrying a very large blade concealed is probably a bad idea. Firearms work better for most social purposes, unless knifing someone from ambush is the plan. Knives are primarily tools.

Even if legal where you are, law enforcement will automatically suspect you're up to no good, if they notice you carrying a full-size "combat knife"in your pants.

John

[rcmodel]

+1

It would be highly illegal, even with a CCW permit, in most jurisdictions.

rcmodel

[theotherwaldo]

Back in the bad old days of bicycle commuting in Los Angeles, I carried at least a Cattaraugus fighting knife and a bolo machete inside the suspension webbing of my Boy Scout backpack.

It was just as illegal for a teen to carry a knife as a gun.

Always prepared.

[Guncrazy45]

I was thinking that the best place to conceal a knife is in the belly of your enemy...but I guess that would just give you something else you'd have to explain.

Oh well. No method is without its downside...

On a more serious note, have you considered the Ka-Bar TDI (http://www.knivesplus.com/kabarknifetdi-ka-1485.html)? I'm not a knife-fighting expert, but it seems to me that when you start going over 4" of blade, the size/practicality curve starts to dive.

[azrael]

IWB rig is how it is normally done

BUT

I would go with the suggestion of staying legal and find out what the legal limits are in your state and county


WOOHOO first post in a bit!!!

[cleardiddion]

Hey hop, you metioned that you were from FL. You know that's it's legal to open carry blades here, right?

[Geronimo45]

When I'm toting a long knife (9" overall length) I wear it OWB and tuck the excess length in a pocket. Had no problems thus far.

[Pax Jordana]

If I were carrying a large knife IWB, I'd sure as heck get one with less of a guard than a ka-bar. And a sheath that could be IWB'd with relative ease.

And if I were carrying a large knife IWB, I'd probably only go to that trouble for the express purpose of hurting people (what point is a utility knife IWB?) and so would go with something narrower - a thrusting weapon - so it'd show less. Like a CS spike, or a corsican, or a Kershaw military boot knife.

That said, if you're stuck on a Ka-Bar, IWB, go to a gun show and find a sheath to cut up. Fit a clip to it to hold it up, maybe tie it on your leg beneath your pants to hold it down too.

[sadlsor]

I'll weigh in to say that I've considered the same challenge. Remember, the male homo sapiens is quite adept at rationalizing any decision he chooses to make, so at some point the "Why?" becomes moot. (OK, the exception might be that thread about the feasibility of using a bow and arrow for home defense... that's a stretch.)

Back to the matter at hand... my ultimate plan is to have a custom-made Kydex or Concealex-type sheath made, and see if I can find a seamstress / alterations shop that might help rig an elastic-style shoulder harness. The blade would ride vertically somewhere up under my shirt.

Other than that, I would (and do) wear it on the belt, outside, but covered by a loose jacket or untucked shirt.

It's an imperfect world we live in.

[NorestRDS]

why would you want to conceal something so big and unnecessary . if you want to conceal a ka-bar get a TDI and you wont have to ask such a question .

[Moonclip]

Can anyone name a place where it is legal to CCW a large fixed blade knife?

[Dismantler]

On the whole, I would rather carry a knife than a gun. And like Hoplophile, I would rather a fixed blade. However, the state issues handgun permits and not knife permits, so I carry a handgun.

I find that the largest fixed blade that I can carry concealed comfortably is about 9" overall, and something with a slimmer profile than a Ka-Bar.

[mgregg85]

Could try a Merc-harness under a shirt. Have it hanging vertically upside down, seems like it would work well.

[sadlsor]

I'm no lawyer, but on the surface, it seems AL has a problem with concealed. However, out in the open... I read as OK. I'm not clear on the third statute, 13A-11-55, about the "proof vs. excuse" concept.
I included the extra citations, 'cuz many times someone will Reply asking "Hey, where'd ya find that?!"
All in all, it appears the AL law is fairly vague, but I don't think concealed knife carry arrests are a problem; we're fairly easy-going about weapons and ownership.
Mark in Birmingham

Section 13A-11-50
Carrying concealed weapons.
Except as otherwise provided in this Code, a person who carries concealed about his person a bowie knife or knife or instrument of like kind or description or a pistol or firearm of any other kind or an air gun shall, on conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months.

(Code 1852, §15; Code 1867, §3555; Code 1876, §4109; Code 1886, §3775; Code 1896, §4420; Code 1907, §6421; Code 1923, §3485; Code 1940, T. 14, §161; Code 1975, §13-6-120.)


Section 13A-11-51
Evidence of apprehension of attack may mitigate punishment, etc.
The defendant being tried under the provisions of Section 13A-11-50 may give evidence that at the time of carrying the weapon concealed, he had good reason to apprehend an attack, which the jury may consider in mitigation of the punishment or in justification of the offense.

(Code 1852, §15; Code 1867, §3555; Code 1876, §4109; Code 1886, §3775; Code 1896, §4420; Code 1907, §6421; Code 1923, §3485; Code 1940, T. 14, §162; Code 1975, §13-6-121.)

Section 13A-11-55
Indictment for carrying weapons unlawfully; proof.
In an indictment for carrying weapons unlawfully, it is sufficient to charge that the defendant carried concealed about his person a pistol, or other description of firearms, on premises not his own, or a bowie knife, or other knife or instrument of the like kind or description, or other forbidden weapon, describing it, as the case may be; and the excuse, if any, must be proved by the defendant on the trial, to the satisfaction of the jury; and if the evidence offered to excuse the charge raises a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt, the jury must acquit him.

(Code 1852, §586; Code 1867, §4136; Code 1876, §4809; Code 1886, §3779; Code 1896, §4424; Code 1907, §6425; Acts 1919, No. 204, p. 196; Code 1923, §3491; Code 1940, T. 14, §166; Code 1975, §13-6-125.)

[Soap]

Can anyone name a place where it is legal to CCW a large fixed blade knife?

Umm...Indiana. That was hard. :evil:

[hobgob]

I can see no logic in carrying a large fixed bladed knife. Besides not being legal, It is not effective for defense if your assailant has a gun. Not to mention if your concealing a blade of considerable length it is going to restrict your movement more than handgun would. This is not the middle ages where everyone sports a dagger on their way to the market. If you really want a knife, buck up and good folder that has a lock on it so that when open it is virtually a fixed blade...CRKT has good ones. If you are concerned about self defense, then take it seriously and use a handgun.

[Soap]

Besides not being legal

I'm positive that you can't back that up. It depends on the location.

[seeker_two]

OK in Texas as long as it's single-edged and isn't over 5.25"......

Here's the one I occasionally carry under an untucked shirt....

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10510

[Moonclip]

I probably would ccw a fixed balde if legal in my area. It can come in handy in some close quarters or retention situations though a folder may be as good or more practical.

[hso]

Any state with Weapon Carry Permit instead of a Handgun Carry Permit is a good candidate for allowing carry of a large knife. Kentucky comes to mind.

[PTK]

Any state with Weapon Carry Permit instead of a Handgun Carry Permit is a good candidate for allowing carry of a large knife.

Except places like Colorado where it says "concealed weapon permit" but the law was changed to "handguns only".

[M203Sniper]

I can tell you the best way to keep a Ka-Bar concealed;

Use the "stock" sheath there is a brass ring or hole on the point, get a key ring that fits.

Feed a good piece of leather or just rope through the key ring about a 3 foot loop.

Put your support hand and head in the loop so the rope rests on your shoulder and the Knife hangs below your weak arm.

Use the loop on the sheath for it's intended purpose, feed your belt through it.

You should now have a real cheap shoulder rig for a good knife. I don't know why "you" would want this but it worked for me.

[Timthinker]

To answer the original inquiry, I believe IWB is one good method. Bill Bagwell demonstrated this technique with one of his bowie knives some time ago. In providing this information, I am not encouraging anyone to break local, state or federal laws. Let me say this discussion is for informational purposes only. That said, certain sheaths are better than other for this purpose. Let us know what you decide upon.


Timthinker

[Moonclip]

In those handgun only states instead of concealed weapon permits, I think I'd sometimes pack an AR or Ak pistol out of spite!

[goon]

Although it wasn't really intended for concealment, I had a custom sheath made for a Becker BK7 that does very well for that.

It is made from Kydex and I used this as the general description to give the maker an idea of what I wanted.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(14w4k255covjrm55tz2txzvd))/categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=9&subId=57&styleId=217&partNum=SHEATH-7R

His site was www.sheathmechanic.com but I don't think he's still in business.

Anyway, the sheath works great and holds the knife higher than most sheaths and securely against my body. I prefer to carry it strong side behind the right hip but drawn with sort of a calvary draw. It just seems very natural.
I could probably carry it just about anywhere without drawing suspicion.

I carry this knife when I'm in the woods so concealment isn't the intention, it's just a lucky side-effect. But it might give you a place to start.

[T.R.]

Seems like a guy could carry a baseball bat anywhere if he is wearing the right hat and shirt to go along with the deception. :)

TR

[highorder]

to me, a knife is an offensive weapon or a last ditch defensive weapon. I dont know how you would successfully emply a knife as a primary defensive tool.

having said that, I have seen some basic shoulder rigs that hang pommel down.

[sadlsor]

Disagree. Many robberies and assaults are comitted with edged-weapon-carrying thugs. (No, I don't have statistics... but I read local crime reports.) A highly-trained martial artist wielding a blade while using proper technique, is a deadly opponent.

I daresay, even a non-trained individual who is properly motivated, will dissuade the creep looking for an easy mark.

And I'm not talking Hollywood-willing-suspension-of-disbelief scenarios. If the blade-carrying defender is up against a gun, however, it's a different story. Even then, it depends on the specific conditions. How many Cops videos have we seen, and how many accounts have we all read about where 2 shooters empty their magazines at close range, with no hits? And one is a uniformed LEO?

As usual, and generally speaking, it may not be wise to generalize.

[Stainz]

Last fall, at a local gunshow, my lovely bride went back to a friend's table and bought me the older LN Puma 'White Hunter' I had drooled over. She, a fair sized lass (5'10"), stuffed it, sheathed, of course, down her jeans along her side. I noticed her walking funny, and thought her hip was hurting her, so we left. In the Jeep, she straightened out as much as possible, reached back and down her pants, returning with the White Hunter, saying it was for me. Thinking I had married the 'Golden Goose', I offered to buy Mex for lunch - hoping she'd 'produce' a Busse or Sebenza. Her reply was 'Only if they are on closeout at Wally World!'.

I mention this for a reason - that Puma is huge - but the Kabar is larger. Where would it go? And - my late Dad's old WWII KaBar has no evidence, but the new production variants, including commemoratives, have the short side end sharpened - double sided blades are illegal in most states, regardless of length. Of course, then there is that length of the blade - check local laws carefully. On a belt, it is a great camping knife. For fiending off evil-doers, I prefer louder devices.

Below, bottom-up: Puma Original Bowie (A tad longer than the White Hunter.), recent KaBar (Note the other edge.), Bear MGC Damascus Bowie (Made in Alabama!).
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/IMG_0485_edited.jpg

Stainz

PS The Mex lunch didn't work... but Christmas saw my first Bark Rivers arrive.

[Browning]

Try a custom horizontal knife sheath located in the small of the back with the shirt tail flipped over it, I believe that you'll get what you're looking for with that.

Something like this.
http://www.grahamknives.com/sheafs_010.JPG

Now whether it's legal or not to do so in your state is an entirely different subject that should be (and that probably has been) explored on a different thread.

Bob Dozier, the Graham Brothers and Red Hill Sheaths all make custom horizontal sheaths.

http://www.dozierknives.com/

http://www.grahamknives.com/sheaths.htm

http://redhillsheaths.com/_wsn/page3.html

[hobgob]

as the saying goes "don't bring a knife to a gunfight."

[highorder]

I've said it before; I don't want the get that close to defend myself. The list of potential pathogens in some rock-monster bad guy makes me reluctant to cut one of them and get bathed in warm blood.

I'll take potential exposure from a GSW any day.

but as I said, as a last ditch/close quarters role; or a in the hands of a trained martial artist is a different story.

[Dksimon]

I think that a large knife such as the ka bar is a decent deterent of crime but it would be difficult to conceal. I know i wouldnt mess with a guy with a knife that large but then again i am not a stoned drug addict!
A gun would be better (and easier to conceal) in my opinion.