What is the point of...

Kevin Zito

Kevin Zito

KNIFE MAKER
392FE79D-C7D5-48F3-9E71-D27684051909.jpeg the strip of leather that some people attach to the mouths of sheaths? I have a pic of one below. Is it a belt loop?
 
Last edited:
I understand it to be a 'dangler' type sheath so that it is free to move and not restrict user from sitting and going on with chores and stuff. I think they are found on mostly larger longer knives, but I may be mistaken. It appears this on allows the user to either use it or remove it. It's probably set up for traditional belt carry as well.
 
opaul said:
I understand it to be a 'dangler' type sheath so that it is free to move and not restrict user from sitting and going on with chores and stuff. I think they are found on mostly larger longer knives, but I may be mistaken. It appears this on allows the user to either use it or remove it. It's probably set up for traditional belt carry as well.
Click to expand...

Exactly. The dangler does two things: Just as Opaul says, it allows the knife to swing so that you can sit down. You don't have to take the knife on/off to get in your truck, canoe, whatever. The second thing a dangler does is get the butt of the knife handle out of your side by dropping it below your belt line. The knife is still very secure but you don't have this thing jabbing you in your Over-40 side which spills out of your jeans. Also as Opaul said, it's usually optional. Typically the sheath has the customary belt loop, too. You can remove the dangler if you want a more snug carry option.

I make my danglers a bit wider to allow the user to push the knife out of the way, but it won't swing around while he's walking.

15541579_1372122156187689_5145531081550733479_n.jpg




22729022_1709147585818476_8548590451485727585_n.jpg
 
Yes that’s beautiful, John! And I appreciate the info. That’s pretty much what I thought but I wanted to make sure. I love the way they look, and it makes great sense. Thanks to all.
 
John Wilson said:
I make my danglers a bit wider to allow the user to push the knife out of the way, but it won't swing around while he's walking.
Click to expand...

John, that was my first thought! Walking and the knife banging my side! I use to frame and having a 22oz. framing hammer swinging and banging your leg all the time can get quite annoying! I would have to try it I guess and see whether it worked for me!!

It runs in my head that I remember seeing some very old military style knives using similar! Hmmmm, food for thought! You know there is few days I crawl on this forum and see something new and different!!
 
The one thing that nobody has mentioned about "danglers"..... although they can be a nice thing, many create them simply because it's easier/simpler than sewing a belt loop directly to the sheath. With all the "new" folks getting into knifemaking these days, it's interesting that often times this "new crowd" does things because it's "easier" or "cooler"....not necessarily because it's "better".
I'm not knocking anyone who makes "dangler" sheaths..... it's just not the most practical carry method for a knife.;)
 
I've never found the one best carry method for a knife, personally. I've never found a perfect gun holster, either. Both suffer from the same conundrum: what's comfortable standing up is almost never comfortable sitting down. And what's comfortable sitting down is never going to be as secure when you stand up. I also like neck knives a lot, but that style of carry has its own set of compromises.

A dangler as an option to a sheath that has an integral belt loop already is the best I've found. It gives the wearer options. And taking your belt off to get your knife on/off- well that's the whole reason I started offering danglers.
 
C Craft said:
John, that was my first thought! Walking and the knife banging my side! I use to frame and having a 22oz. framing hammer swinging and banging your leg all the time can get quite annoying! I would have to try it I guess and see whether it worked for me!!

It runs in my head that I remember seeing some very old military style knives using similar! Hmmmm, food for thought! You know there is few days I crawl on this forum and see something new and different!!
Click to expand...

I cannot stand something banging into me all day, either. It's like having a sore in your mouth. It might not seem like a big thing, but that tiny little annoyance starts to become the only thing I can think about after a while and it's enough to drive me up a wall.

My solution: I use a D-ring. When I'm making the sheath, the sheath gets the standard belt loop. I put the leather through the D-ring and then sew the loop to the sheath. So the D-ring is permanent, but it falls down the back and out of the way if the dangler isn't used.

The dangler width is the key. I make the dangler wide enough that it about matches the inner diameter of the D-ring. There's enough play to use your hand to swing the knife up along your leg when you sit down, but there's tension. The knife doesn't hardly move as you walk around.

Since I started offering the dangler option, every customer has paid the little bit extra to get it. Every single one.
 
John Wilson said:
I cannot stand something banging into me all day, either. It's like having a sore in your mouth. It might not seem like a big thing, but that tiny little annoyance starts to become the only thing I can think about after a while and it's enough to drive me up a wall.

My solution: I use a D-ring. When I'm making the sheath, the sheath gets the standard belt loop. I put the leather through the D-ring and then sew the loop to the sheath. So the D-ring is permanent, but it falls down the back and out of the way if the dangler isn't used.

The dangler width is the key. I make the dangler wide enough that it about matches the inner diameter of the D-ring. There's enough play to use your hand to swing the knife up along your leg when you sit down, but there's tension. The knife doesn't hardly move as you walk around.

Since I started offering the dangler option, every customer has paid the little bit extra to get it. Every single one.
Click to expand...
John, I was just catching up with this thread and the pic above caught my eye... that’s a good lookin knife and sheath. Really high quality work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top