A little history. Like many my age, I have developed some authoritis. About 5 yrs ago it got so bad in my right hand I was having trouble w/ thumb safety on my 1911 & the fine motor skills required to open my Kershaw were just gone. I could not open it so I quit carrying & started some retraining work w/ a fixed blade.
Belt carry immediately proved itself to be uncomfortable as much driving, setting, desk, hospitals, home visits as I do.
Cant open the 'shaw, belt is real uncomfortable setting, that only leaves shoulder or neck. Preacher cant go around w/ a neck knife. AAAAAAAaaaa. Those kydex retention rigs on a lanyard would work under a shoulder. So the experiment started. $$$s was definately a factor so no $100.00 Benchmades & you knife guys know that now a $200.00 blade no deal.Requirements for the learning was a. under 5.5" blade, b. kydex retention sheath, c. no "Bowie" appearance, d. good fighting grip w/ butt end striking capabilities & e. cheap enough that if it dont work no big deal.
A & B were easy to find, C did not really give too much trouble but finding one w/ an autharitis friendly grip & affordable took a WHILE.
Here is the knife, how I rigged it, & my evaluation.
Ideally I would like the knife a little smaller than it is. 4" long blade I think would be ideal instead of 4.5. The blade is 1 5/16" wide. 1" would be good there. 1/4" thick. It did have a belt clip that I removed & the fastening hole for that is visible in the picture. It snaps in the sheath decissively & is stable in the sheath. It does require a rather brisk draw stroke to break the retention grip but is not hard.
How I rigged it up.
I used the basic old virticle shoulder holster design from way back in the 1900's. In the hole at the end of the sheath is a loose loop of wax leather sewing thread. It is big enough so it can slide easily on the shoulder loop lanyard. Rigging it this way allows it to lay flat against my side instead of trying to make a half turn. Shoulder loop is adjusted high & tight just like a shoulder holster. I put the small loop on to attach the elastic & make sure the elastic would not ride up to the top of my shoulder during natural movement of daily activity. Elastic goes across back & right arm in it.
With it on.
Since this picture was taken I have added a simple rubber band to my suspenders. I put the knife handle & about an inch of the sheath through it & that completely stabalizes the knife so it is in the same place all the time for a sure draw. I will return w/ another picture of that shortly.
Suspenders & rubberband stabalize it completely. Same place all the time for a sure draw.
Grip.
Draw. And for reholster. Incert knife in sheath. Light clamp w/ forearm & seat the knife firmly until it "Klicks" in.
