how much over the belt should knife handle be??

[Mocivnik]

I've always got a dilemma, how high on the belt the knife should be.

Are there any kind of unwritten laws about this? (we're talking about fixed blades, not folders, ofc)

I've seen some holsters, which keep a whole knife handle over  the belt, just like this pictuer below..

 

...while some are super low, as the top of the handle barely reaches the upper edge of the belt, as shown below.

 

[alpha2]

I don't believe there is any particular rule. It's whatever the wearer, and maker decide it to be. The sheaths I've made, are based on how the original cheap sheath held the knife. Here are a few of mine for example.

They are more like your second example than the first one. 

 

Edited April 18, 2018 by alpha2

[Mocivnik]

Thanks!

Are there any pros and cons of anything of these 2 options?

[Dwight]

12 minutes ago, Mocivnik said:

Thanks!

Are there any pros and cons of anything of these 2 options?

The only thing to consider is that the higher it rides, . . . the less "swing" you get of the lower portion, . . . which on some knives I've seen, they almost want a leather thong to tie it to the leg to keep it from flapping in the breeze.

On the other hand, . . . if you bring up the knife so it rides higher, . . . the grip has a tendency to get caught on stuff you might bump into in the house, garage, or out in the field.

But generally, . . . it simply boils down to the question: "What does the customer want??"

THAT, . . . is the best answer.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Mocivnik]

The customer in this occasion is me  And I'm just asking questions for myself 

And the only thing that holds me back now is the size of the leather I've got :D

[alpha2]

Well, the wider the fold is at the top of the belt loop, the less the sheath will wobble front to back. As you can see with the KaBar sheath, (USMC knife), the fold is fairly narrow, and there is a hole at the tip for a cord to tie around the leg. All the years my brother carried this knife in the Marines, he never used a cord, and doesn't remember anyone else doing it either. He didn't do much slogging in the jungle, though, he was an aviation type.

There's a LOT of sheath makers on this forum, so feel free to ask more questions as you move forward with your sheath!

Jeff

[kiwican]

I spent a lot of time in the jungle and the bush. Always wore a knife strapped to my leg. Things get caught up real quick. Suit the sheath to the purpose 

[Boriqua]

I don't know of any rules but if someone has some that would be interesting. In holsters and knife sheaths I am always sure to go into some detail about how the customer intends to use it and in what environments. Sometimes its a mater of needing two separate sheaths.

If it is going to be something that needs to be concealed I might suggest a pancake approach to a client. I can get it up fairly high and it sticks to the body nicely.

If they will also carry a gun on the strong side I might suggest cross draw and then I would put a fair cant on it.

 

Will they be on horseback or in and out of cars. The one below was for a woman that did a lot of horseback riding. The belt is actually just about behind the handle strap. It pulled the knife up on the belt a bit higher so it wasnt in the way when she did horse stuff but still kind of looks like a traditional knife sheath

 

I think its important to have the conversation because many times a customer not being a leatherworker doesn't know what can be done and only knows what they have seen. As mentioned above .. some people are quite happy with the factory setup just not the factory quality so I also do a ton that are the same dimensions and just built better and better looking.

You are doing it for yourself so ... just think about how and where you intend to use it. I just did a holster for myself .. something I rarely get to do .. and wanted to try some new ideas and I did a mock up with some glue and 5oz leather I had in my scrap bin and wore it for a week before making some changes and building the final version. In the past I have used cardboard for knife sheath tests. Some rubber cement or duct tape and some cardboard and just live with it a while to see what you think on the cheap.

I personally prefer to have the belt at the hilt on stuff I own and carry. I find its the most comfortable. High enough to be out of the way but low enough that I dont have to contort to get at it. Lower and I start to notice its there but I rarely carry a knife w more than a 5 inch blade and usually just at 4 1/2 whether hiking or just for general chores. I have a bunch longer than that but ... I just thought they were neat and had to have them! 

 

BTW ... Alpha2 .. Those are pretty damn sweet looking sheaths!!!

Edited April 18, 2018 by Boriqua

[kiwican]

Some sweet sheaths being made for sure+

[Sheilajeanne]

I'd also worry about the handle poking me in the stomach/chest when I had to bend over if it rode too high in the sheathe. There's that to consider as well. 

I remember an old WWII series (Rat Patrol) where one of the guys carried a bayonet knife. He'd strap it to his leg so it wasn't swinging around and getting in the way. Makes sense for a blade that long!