Do you CCW a fixed blade? If so, how?

Elkins45

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Do you regularly carry a fixed blade in a concealed position? If so, what is the knife and how do you conceal it?

Just curious, since I can see a role for a fixed blade in a grappling or otherwise stressful situation where getting a folder open and keeping it in hand might be a challenge.
 
Do you regularly carry a fixed blade in a concealed position? If so, what is the knife and how do you conceal it?

Just curious, since I can see a role for a fixed blade in a grappling or otherwise stressful situation where getting a folder open and keeping it in hand might be a challenge.
Yes! Usually a 6" tanto
 
Not as much as I used to but when I did/do it’s a clinch pick at 11-11:30.
 
I would, but it's too hard with onerous knife laws in my state. I can carry a 44 Magnum concealed, but not even a steak knife.
 
I carry a fixed blade. Folders aren't that good for defense because it forces you to have a compromised grip as you open it which makes it susceptible to being dropped or knocked out of your hand. If you need it you may well be flat on your back getting your face punched in.

Think of a fixed blade as carrying with a round in the chamber vs a folder which is condition 2.

Amtac and Headhunter Blades make good ones. There are others as well. There are also many which are not good.
 
Folders with axis lock and wave opening are fast/ instant to deploy and rated for hundreds of pounds of pressure without failure...some of the cold steel folders like 600 + lbs. I don't think a standard kabar or buck 119 etc would take that.

However I do love a good fixed blade, edc for me means something smaller and inconspicuous.

A cold steel kyoto 2 rides just in my pocket, change pocket. Fast to get at, but I took to attaching it on my belt, left side front for right side horizontal draw using zip ties through the sheath. Rides flat and carries light but fast to hand and very handy!

I also keep a leatherneck mini double edged spear point in my boot. Very inexpensive but durable little blades that hold a good edge.

My favorite for hiking or camping is buck 105 on my belt behind my right hip.
 
Carried one in my left pocket for years in a kydex sheath. Sheath had paracord on the bottom of it which was attached to my belt, this caused the sheath to stop right about at my belt line freeing the knife. Sounds much more complicated than it reads. Worked well, fast, and gave me a good sized fixed blade.
 
Folders with axis lock and wave opening are fast/ instant to deploy and rated for hundreds of pounds of pressure without failure...some of the cold steel folders like 600 + lbs. I don't think a standard kabar or buck 119 etc would take that.

However I do love a good fixed blade, edc for me means something smaller and inconspicuous.

A cold steel kyoto 2 rides just in my pocket, change pocket. Fast to get at, but I took to attaching it on my belt, left side front for right side horizontal draw using zip ties through the sheath. Rides flat and carries light but fast to hand and very handy!

I also keep a leatherneck mini double edged spear point in my boot. Very inexpensive but durable little blades that hold a good edge.

My favorite for hiking or camping is buck 105 on my belt behind my right hip.
Strength generally isn't the issue. Well made folders are plenty strong for defensive work. The issue is that by their nature you can't get a strong grip until after the blade is deployed. This leaves a moment where it can get knocked out of one's hand pretty easily.

Compare to a fixed blade where you can acquire a strong grip from the beginning of the draw.

Amtac makes a folder that is designed to be carried either locked open in a belt sheath to be used like a fixed blade, or like a regular folder with a pocket clip. It's designed for areas where a true fixed blade isn't feasible.
 
Used to carry this guy but decided I preferred carrying a folder. At least until I replace the dang clip on the sheath that keeps tearing up my pants. Great blade still...

bloodshark_4.jpg
 
I have the leather loop on my kydex sheath (was already cut to size in my leather working kit) fitted so I can rotate it when I put it on my waistline. That allows an "ice pick" grip or a "fencing/saber" grip - all dependent on how I grab it.
 
I carry several knives daily. Folder in my pocket a bigger fixed blade on my belt open carry. And a small fixed blade in a horizontal sheath in a concealed crossdraw position but it can be accessed with either hand if needed. 20230601_180542.jpg 20240215_132801.jpg the small fixed blade I carry concealed in horizontal sheath is a shrade adder.
 
I have carried a full size (12 inch) Bagwell style bowie concealed in an IWB sheath. I don't do it normally, but it is quite doable. There used to be a sheath maker named Mike Sastre of River city sheaths that made Southern Comfort sheaths for it. I believe Mr. Sastre passed away a few years ago, and Bill Bagwell passed away a couple a years ago as well.

My knife is an imitation of Bagwell's Hells Belle, but while the blade is not near the quality of real one, it would get the job done if needed. The sheath is a standard leather sheath, and there have been warnings that these knives can pierce the leather if fallen on wrong, so I stopped carrying it for the most part IWB.

link 1 Here is a link to Mr. Bagwell discussing the knife and sheath.

and link 2 drawing/carrying it around 1:24
 
My walking cane stays in my hand and concealed inside the cane is a blade ... 17 inches of Cold Steel .

I can have it ready to use a lot faster than any other blade ... if the cane itself doesn't dissuade you ... the 17 inch blade will do the trick .

Think outside the box ... M48 Tactical Sword Cane is an awesome weapon hiding in plain sight !
Gary
 
I carry a Blackhawk XSF micro neck knife. It’s got a 2 1/2” wedge blade in a locking sheath. It weighs only a few ounces, and on a paracord lanyard is vitrtually invisible under a tee shirt.
Having a readymade paracord loop around your neck doesn’t seem like something you would want during a struggle.
 
I worked for DOT in the 60's and 70's with Highway Patrolmen, My dad was a Sheriff deputy and My brother police Captain. They wanted you to stay in your car with your hands visible. I have no idea why people in other states did it different. I have been stopped a couple times, once a patrolman asked me to come back to his car and get in it.
Once when I had a Red .68 327 Camaro a patrolman did pull me over after meeting me going the other way. He didn't get me on radar so he didn't give me a ticket, but he did ask where I kept the wings for that son-of-a bitch.
 
I have a Dozier Slim Outdoorsman I bought decades that has a Kydex horizontal sheath that I can remove the knife with one hand fairly easily. Not so easy to get it back in the sheath. That's a two handed process.

 
For more social situations I typically carry a Kestrel
I designed this blade along with special skills instructors for a federal agency tasked with executive protection

The blade has a compound grind for maximum tip strength and ergonomic design for different grips
It has a no-slip grip kydex hideaway sheath
IMG_2301.jpeg
IMG_1698.jpeg
 
For about 20 years. I carried Dozier Model 6 in uniform.

I still carry a knife this way. Centerline. Accessible to either hand. P Cord attached to my belt. Draw. Knife and sheath come out together. At the end of the cord, the knife pops free.

I carry a Civivii Tamashi like that now. Or, a Dozier Arkansas Toothpick.

In uniform, the handle was behind my mag carrier. There’s another P cord loop on the handle, tucked behind my belt, that keeps it from falling down my pants.

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