A solution to knives and motorcycles.

[The Tourist]

As you know, it's getting warmer in Wisconsin--yikes, the winter is over--and I'll be taking to the roads once again. I cannot wait. Black Betty is done, and I will riding her home 04-23-08. Pictures to follow.

And with that change in habits comes the old question, "How do I carry defensive weapons and tools on the bike?"

After all, we could take a fall, land on them and break a rib. We could draw undue attention to ourselves--and I mean other than a big chrome 700 pound toy with Stage II pipes. The item should be handy, not strapped in some form of saddle-bag or pouch.

Here's my idea. And I'm experimenting.

I love my clip knives. However one of the negative aspects of weight lifting is that a four-inch knife carried in your right front pocket will dig into the crest of your thigh. Try that for one hundred miles.

The traditional Buck-110-in-a-sheath keeps getting caught on the back or side of my jacket, especially a denim jean jacket.

However, along with a recent order, I came across a very stout and durable ballistic nylon sheath from Blackie Collins. I also have a Buck knock-off Bushmaster (Camillus blade) that a client dropped off three years ago and never retrieved. The nice thing about the Blackie Collins sheath is that it has additional straps on the obverse side that allow it to be carried like an eyeglass case. Heck, it even looks like an eyeglass case, and "urban camouflage" is a good thing in a nice restaurant.

I decided to slip the case on my belt with the top facing forward to the fly on my jeans. I thought about placing it facing outward for a fast retrieval because the case is hefty and well made with secure velcro. However I figured over time the fastener would vibrate and weaken, and I don't think this style of retrieval is factually slower.

Last night I buffed and sharpened the knife to a mirror finish and I'll be doing a shake down run for a few days. I will also be carrying Emerson (not shown) but I will try to limit my slicing duties (UPS boxes, envelopes, thread, steaks, townie muggers) to the Bushmaster.

I found my case at PVK&T. Josh got it for me for about nine bucks, and that covers his profit, as well. I'll bet a cheaper price could be found with an internet search.

 

[sm]

Great Thread!

"Risk for falls" is a serious concern for not only motor cycles, also bicycles, hikers, hunters, and folks in general public.

That sheath is a good one!

I and mine have messed around with some of the other "urban" blending in.
Eyeglass cases, Cell Phone cases that are worn on the belt as you described and shared in a picture.

In a vehicle, this allows one access to a knife as well, be they the driver or passenger, and sitting for long periods with a seat belt on, can be uncomfortable.

One might find using "cross draw" is best for them, depending on if driving or passenger, or where that seat belt fastens.
Motorcycles with throttle, brake, clutch , add more thought and practiced plans to see what works for them.

Open end to front is what we like, and it is because of motor vehicles, and it works for bicycles.

 

[eliphalet]

Smaller knife works for me riding. A stockman and if needed a NAA 22LR in the other front pocket of my jeans. My jacket is a California CHP copy and has a nice leather lined "gun pocket" too, but it is hard to get to wth gloves moving.
Now that I am older and a sissy I have a windshield on my scooter and can clip what I need to that or look in the bike catalogs for stuff that clips to your bars. Makes it easy to reach, and legal to pack anything without a CCW for weapons in this state. My favorite for that is a 45 LC derringer in a eyeglass case with just a bit of the grip showing to stay legal as open carry is OK. A casual look one will only see a typical eyeglass case clipped there.

Get a fork bag that attaches with Velcro straps, easy on and off or take the 110 out of the sheath, its a unnecessary extra anyway

 

[Sniper X]

I still carry a full size 1911 in a tank bag or a commander in a blackhawk on my side, and a Terani Strider on a clip in my front pocket. while on the motorcycle of course!

 

[The Tourist]

That sheath is a good one!

Thanks for the quick response. It's good that this product has been "field tested" and others find it a good value.

The one thing I regret is my digital camera. It makes both the knife and the sheath look "washed out."

Like many others here, I have buffed the brass furniture to a mirror finish with both Mother's Mag Wheel paste, and their Billet product. Yikes, what a finish. I've very jealous of the members here who have polished their revolvers to a sheen.

No matter how well I sharpen the bevels, the best edge just shows "black" in the picture. I have one client here (confidentiality) that sent me a knife, and the only way I could send him/her a pic was to flash a blue LED light on the bevel.

My point is that if you are a potential customer for Blackie Collins products and Buck 110's, don't use my photography to sway your opinion!

I intend to beat the stuffings out of these products and I have no reservations that they will function to a high degree.

 

[The Tourist]

Get a fork bag that attaches with Velcro straps

I'm glad yours worked out for you. I never decided if I liked mine or not. It was hard to get into, I hit every mosquito in Dane County and polished the case more than I polished my boots. I'm not sure I want to hang it on my new CVO front end and scratch it. However, I still have the bag. We'll see.

 

[eliphalet]

Riding in Wisconsin there is a good chance you wear chaps a lot. Find a local leather guy/gal and have a long narrow pocket with a velcro or snap pocket sewed to the left lower leg. That way what ever you carry can be reached without letting the throttle go. I like stuff on the left side riding for that reason. If some fool is trying to run you off the road and kill you keeping the throttle hand in place is a very good idea.
I know that is a rare occasion but know a guy that was almost killed for wearing a chromed WWII Nazi helmet on the freeway. At least that was the only reason he was ever able to think of as to why "out of the blue" this person was trying to kill him.
I am no Nazi fan but thought it looked pretty cool him on a bright yellow and chrome scoot with a chrome helmet with a shinny brass spike sticking up 4 inches or so out of the top of it. Must have been an officers helmet, I have no idea, but wasn't your typical grunts lid. Apparently not everyone like the looks of it.

 

[Valkman]

Here's my '01 Honda Valkyrie with 38k miles:

That's an old pic where I used to live but it looks about the same now.

Here's one I took coming home at a place called Caples Lake:

Here's when we got married on our bikes - that's the wife's HD Dyna:

I generally keep my Strider in my front pocket (don't lift weights ) and a gun in trunk.

 

[Sniper X]

Yeah, see you guys have all sorts of room to store stuff on your bikes compared to me!

 

[sm]

The Tourist,
You don't look very happy in that picture...you don't have any bugs in your teeth.
*neener*

Fork Bag.

Try this and see if this works.

Using PVC, cut to fit , glue one end, and use a screw cap for the other.
This is like a hard case for a Fly Rod or those tubes you have seen for building plans and the like.

This is like a pelican box only round, weather resistant, we did back when the earth was flat before pelican boxes and pvc using honest to goodness pipe .

Sometimes on a bike ( dirt, street, road) one needs a water resistant container.
Trust me, dirt bikes do not float, and not worth a flip in a river. *ahem*

Now one can paint the PVC Black, or get a roll of that honest to goodness HVAC tape, not duct tape, the expensive , shiny tape.
That tape is really strong, holds up, and is "Chrome".

If it don't go fast - chrome it.

You gotta look good getting there.

See? I understand how all this works. *smile*

Now, we use Turtle Wax Hard Shell Wax, on the black painted, it even worked on the HVAC tape, though it was not really needed.
Bugs, don't stick, easy to clean, and easy to maintain. *ta-da*

Now, once tested, and if one chooses to upgrade to more "trick", save that tube, as it is handy for saddlebags and other uses.

See your buddy at the machine shop, get one made of metal and Chrome it, paint it, whatever you want.

No. I do not have a bike, but I have experiences and we are all in this together.

Q. How can you tell a happy biker?
A. By the number of bugs in their teeth.

*Vrooom*

 

[Kingcreek]

I've got the same case but without the Blackie sig on it. Great case but if you use it long enough the velcro will weaken. I wear mine horizontal flap-forward in a right/front position with a Bob Dozier folding hunter in it.

 

[The Tourist]

The Tourist, You don't look very happy in that picture

The sun looks bright in that photo, but it was pretty breezy as I remember. I don't get cold easily, so if you see a photo of me in leather than you know it's a tad frosty.

As for being happy, I'm pretty happy-go-lucky. I have a natural face and eyebrows that just look like I've got front row tickets to watch a double hanging. I'l admit to being a lot more comfortable with my own kind.

the velcro will weaken

I'm sure it will. My point is that Blackie Collins products have always given me good service and I will get many months of security from this sheath. Like any other stitch of clothing a biker owns, it will get soaked in the rain, drown in dust, exposed to cold, and beat up as a manner of simply being there.

As much as like my Striders and my Emersons, there is just something about a Buck 110 and their knock-offs that just fits the bill. You can eat with it one minute, strip wire with it the next.

I'll further admit to not really caring about what happens to it. I know I take good care of my stuff--that bike is four years old--but a Buck 110 is going to live a life with working cowboys, hunters and tradesmen.

 

[feedthehogs]

Don't always think something will harm you if you fall. A buddy had a drunk driver come up behind his bike in Houston on the freeway and knock it out from underneath him.
A knife carried in his back pocket kept the highway from takin a good part of his hide off.


I always ride with a Kimber 10mm in a Galco vertical holster under my left arm, a Kel Tec 32 in my left pocket and a folder in my front right pocket.

A 3" fixed blade with matching handles to the Kimber grips is slung from the ride side holster strap above the spare magazines.

Leather jacket, jean jacket, denim shirt all work just fine. Very comfortable over hundreds of miles.

I figure no sense in carrying anything you can't get to quick. Otherwise tuck a ball peen across the risers.

Valkman,
I knew there was a reason I liked doin business with you. Other than the good knives of course.

 

[eliphalet]

As much as like my Striders and my Emersons, there is just something about a Buck 110

learn your markings , then off to Ebay and get the 440C 110's about the same price as the 420HC they sell now.
No doubt there is better steel available, but at at price, and I can/have gutted two young elk, split the brisket on both to their neck, or several deer, and had my old 110 still be sharp enough to shave my arm. Any knife that can do that and is tough enough to split 38's is OK for the price you can buy em for. Darn shame Buck stopped using that steel or at least let it be a option.
I carry a stone in the day pack just in case but don't think it has ever been needed on a older Buck in the field.
The slipjoint in my front pocket is 420 and I ain't no expert, just a consumer that uses em daily, but you can take it to the bank, it is in no way in the same class as the 440C Buck usta use.

 

[The Tourist]

learn your markings , then off to Ebay and get the 440C 110's about the same price and the 420HC they sell now.

That's good advice, and people should always check the ricasso for info about their knives. With fewer people spending, there should be some great deals out there.

I'm a reseller, however, and I get lower prices from my distributor.

In fact, about the only Buck 110 I'm looking for is the Bass Pro Shop model with the 154-CM blade.

 

[JShirley]

Hm.

Well, y'all may know I'm in a graduate program. I was just thinking yesterday about storage solutions on a bike or (hangs head and whispers) scooter. I was thinking perhaps mount a small metal lockable box on the bike?

The problem is, Georgia in general has good carry laws, but you can't carry on publicly owned grounds, including college campuses. I thought a small metal box might give secure storage for something like a P3AT, Commander, or 642.

John

 

[eliphalet]

I was thinking perhaps mount a small metal lockable box on the bike?

Great idea, One thing i would try to do is to have the lock box as concealed or nonchalant looking as possible. Say in a little saddle bag type of set up that has a good bolted to the bike lock box inside. Out of sight, out of mind, just might help with theft or any other inquiring minds. Like a lunch box or small cooler in a pickup, everyone thinks it is just lunch box, and never thinks of what could perhaps be inside.

 

[JShirley]

Yeah, lower profile is even better.

 

[sm]

I am out of the loop on current motorized two wheelers.
So I don't really know what some the factory set up are for scooters, trail bikes and Bikes in general is.

Back in the day, the only real lockable container available was the Simplex.
Just one model at the time and this is the one that does not use electronics, or batteries, instead that patented Simplex lock, with 5 buttons and one can change the combo.
These are great for vehicles, or furniture in a house to mount, just a bit big and hard to conceal on a bike.

So, we implemented Improvise Adapt Overcome.

In a smaller town, some youths, were getting the small scooters under the required HP rating that required a license.
Good kids, responsible, just needing transportation to school and running errands.
A number of single moms and dads got these for the youths, and in an emergency , these did come in handy , like getting parents meds from the local drug store.

Sheet metal / metal worker folks and the Bike shop, were real good about keeping mouths shut, and customer confidentiality.

A "battery box" might be done a bit bigger, or added, and if one did not know the bike, they did not know that was a beefy , lockable container.

Under the seat storage was beefed up, and metal workers made a box to fit, that either mounted permanently , or, was held in by a real strong cable or chain.
Locksmiths , mom and pops, were in on all this and had locks that worked on these designs.

One young lady, has under the seat storage her lockable container, was big enough to hold a full size 1911 or K frame with 4" barrel.

Lessons on being discreet, keeping mouths shut and all with these kids and parents, still these custom made lock boxes are proven.

Leather folks, even tack folks messing with horses, rode bikes, so they assisted with all this.
That lock box was secured!
Custom "saddlebag" just covered it, and nobody ever had one messed with.

One old timer showed up his deal, back when was young.
That old time headlight, was a lot bigger than needed, and had room for items.
From that idea, on another bike, he and his bunch added another "headlight", since folks were doing this "running two and looking cool".

Not a sophisticated key lock, still that metal headlight case was lockable.
A J frame fit in these.

So old timers had some tricks, that worked then, and still do.

 

[alaskanativeson]

Trust me, dirt bikes do not float, and not worth a flip in a river.

Obviously you weren't riding a Rokon two wheel drive motorcycle:



They have a really nice leather case that attaches between the handlebars, of course that's not enough for some people. I've seen guys mount 20MM ammo cans to these things as saddlebags and side by side 50 cal ammo cans on the front racks. I know this isn't what the OP had in mind but since I used to own a Rokon I thought I'd mention it. It's a fantastic bike that gets very little coverage.

 

[The Tourist]

One old timer showed up his deal, back when was young

Ya' know, the basic configuration of my engine was designed in 1936, but I was born fourteen years later...

Your point is well taken. A limited amount of space seems to dog us all in finding solutions that work.

As for a scooter, I'm thinking about it, myself. One of them that does highway speeds and has a big flared skirt on the front for rain.

The entire seat lifts up and uncovers a storage area. I do have some problems with fitting my sharpening kits into that limited area, but I think my supplier makes a smaller unti that certainly will fit. I can adapt the part to my bigger kit.

Some of the bigger scooters easily do Interstate speeds, and the flared skirt will keep me dry in changing weather. In Wisconsin, an 80* day and sunny in the morning can mean snow or rain in the afternoon. I've started my truck using the heater--parked it--and then had to flip on the A/C when I started it up again.

If you've driven a big bike in the rain without a decent front fender, you eat rain for the entire ride home.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Buck 110 Case

Go to Wal*Mart.

Pick up a Buck 110 for $27.

Remove from packaging.

(If you already have a Buck 110 with a nylon case, skip the first three steps.)

Examine the back of the ballistic nylon case, without the knife in it. Notice that, in addition to the obvious, wide, wear-me-vertical-on-your-belt loop, there are two narrower loops that run transverse at each end of that large loop. Slip your finger in there. Yup, there's enough room for a normal-to-thick dress belt. This case fastens with a positive-close metal snap. Now, it does have the Buck logo on it but, if that's a problem, a felt marker or seam ripper will remedy that.

This case will hold a full sized folder (Buck 110, large sodbuster, etc.). I can get that case all day long for under $10.

It may not suit your needs, but it's worth noting that the cross-belt loops are there.

Just in case.

 

[sm]

alaskanativeson,

I have a "reason" why I ended up in the river.
I had one of them evil tree roots grow up all of a sudden, while I was in the lead, and just about to hit the top of the levee, where one then races the dirt bike down the levee a bit, and then heads down...

It reached out, and I went airborne, which normally is not a bad thing, as one gets more distance airborne, and one goes faster on one wheel...

Oh I was armed with a gun and knife...sorta not thinking about them, instead hitting a kill switch, as I sailed over the levee and was going to land "out yonder" and get "sunk", not to mention wet.

There is a point in all this, one accepts the kill switch ain't gonna kill and the words " gotta look good getting there " comes to mind.

I went for Style Points, and am told "that was beautiful dude" because I come down way out yonder and then disappeared way under water.

Captain is supposed to do down with the ship, or something along them lines.

I gave Deep Purple's Smoke on The Water, new meaning that day...

*splash-sizzle-smoke*

 

[The Tourist]

hitting a kill switch

Once you launch on the high side, hitting the kill switch doesn't help.

However, I know it feels like we should be doing something. I spun my F-150 around doing 360's on a patch of glare ice this winter. Oh, there was no question about it, I was freewheeling, and I was going to stop only by running out of inertia.

So there I sat like a dunce. I had my size 11 Harley boots slamming those clutch and brake pedals to the floor, little orange ABS light twinkling like a Christmas tree, and I might as well as hummed a little tune.

But it felt right to slam the pedals.

My Dad once told me that "the big red button" that brings machinery to a stop is actually designed to feel mechanical and "click." In the computer age, it could just as easily be designed to work like one of those heat sensitive elevator buttons that don't move at all.

Still, in a crisis people like to feel that they have done something. And punching a real clicking button makes them feel better.

SM, when you went airborne, you might as well as done your taxes in the stark calm of the apogee...

 

[Zoogster]

Hate velcro though. If trouble is approaching you try to leave, but putting your defensive weapon in your hand can help you to react quicker if it catches up. The loud rip of the velocro gives away that you are retrieving something, causing most of the element of surprise to be lost, removing much of that advantage.

A strong button snap that can be undone silently with pressure is much prefered.

So if you may use a knife for a defensive purpose, putting it in a loud velcro fasted sheath removes some of its usefulness in certain situations.
I would rather something that in the dark could allow me to put a knife in my hand without anyone hearing a sound.