KA-BAR - Alternative Styles of Sheath Question

[Jotobo]

Hello,

I have a classic style KaBar, straight edge, and would like to find a sheath that will allow me to carry it horizontally on my belt rather than vertically.

When I am out and about where I would carry it, I want to be able to reach to either my waist or my back and not to my sides to pull the knife out.

I hope this makes sense and I hope even more such a thing exists.

Help please!

 

[M-Cameron]

well first thing is, horizontal carry can be uncomfortable, especially when sitting......

however, you can use you original sheath and attach it horizontally with ranger rubber bands.....

or if youve got the money:
http://www.hedgehogleatherworks.com/Leather-Sheath-for-the-Ka-Bar-Classic-Combat-Knife-p/h-ap.htm

 

[Jotobo]

Im aware that carrying it around day to day would not be ideal, let alone comfortable......this is something I just carry when on the "farm". So its only there for the day while working, etc.....and that is actually an ideal way to carry it.

If its on my hip its swinging around and knocking into things and knocking things over.

I am not familiar with the rubber bands....details?

 

[M-Cameron]

Ranger bands are essentially large heavy duty rubber bands.....

you can get them here: http://www.lapolicegear.com/trraba10pa.html


or you can literally make your own by cutting a bicycle tire inner tube...




what you do is take (2) of these and wrap them around your knife sheath....then you simple thread your belt through the bands......simple as that.

 

[Jotobo]

Ah, I see....I started looking right away.

So there is no "official" sheath that accomplishes this? I wonder if I could Gorilla Glue a few belt clips to the sheath? Hmmmmm

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Not Gorilla

You may want to try a more reliable glue.

For some reason, the only glue that's given me trouble in the last five years has been Gorilla glue.

If you're depending on it to keep a large knife attached to your gear, you'll want to use a formulation appropriate for the materials. I find that some plastics can be tricky for finding something that will bond properly.

What is your stock sheath made of?

 

[uspJ]

Have you considered one of the alternative sheaths that ka-bar sells? The plastic or kydex sheath they have should easily be worn horizontily. I use belt keepers when I wear a knife in this fashion. I slip them through the slots for the web attatchments and then snap them on to the belt. I wear my SOG seal pup in this fashion when camping or hiking in the woods.

 

[Gary G23]

Get the Ka-Bar plastic sheath. Then make belt loops out of paracord.

 

[Classified00]

The best but most expensive option would be to have one custom made. The problems are; you'd probably have to send in the knife and the sheath would cost 2 X what you paid for knife.

 

[JShirley]

Or, you could just send it to Sam1911, or one of the other sheath makers here. Sam has a KaBar, and if it's the same model, he can make one for you without you sending yours in to pattern. I'm partial to TecLok sheaths myself, since that gives you mounting options.

J

 

[Sam1911]

For some reason, the only glue that's given me trouble in the last five years has been Gorilla glue.

Fine Woodworking did an exhaustive test on various kinds of glue a few years back. Gorrilla Glue and other Polyurethane glues were the worst -- by far -- of all the types they tested. It really only sort of works when the parts are clamped under quite a bit of pressure (it's touted gap-filling qualities are completely mythical) and then at its best it can't even compete with regular carpenter's glue (yellow glue/PVA).

Or, you could just send it to Sam1911

Thanks for the mention, and yes, I could come up with something if interested.

 

[Jotobo]

Very interested.

Send me a message and I can send you pics from my email or whatever you like to get an idea of what you can do.

Thanks man!

 

[conw]

Tek-lok is awesome! I like a canted semi-horizontal orientation, roughly on centerline. You orient the scales toward your dominant hand and canted downward a bit. More comfortable and practical than horizontal carry.

 

[Jotobo]

Got an email from Sam in about 15 min after posting I was intersted. Nice work sir. Replied and waiting to hear back.