With just a few twists of my trusty screwdriver I was easily able to convert Matt Draper's (mdraper@mail.utexas.edu) HORIZONTAL Automatic Concealex sheath into an IWB sheath.
To those unfamiliar with the IWB or In The Waistband carry, this carry is analogous to the 'shove your gun in your crotch' carry (don't try this without a sheath sirs) (although it can be carried both in the front or the rear kidney carry, basically the knife is put inside your pants, and is the most concealable PRACTICAL form of carry apart from a shoulder or underarm rig.). If you are still clueless as to this type of carry do visit Matt Draper's page for some detailed pics. Keep in mind that this form of carry gets a lot of getting used to. When I started carrying my folders and fixed blades in this manner I had a hell of a time adjusting to it. It took me a few weeks, and if you've ever had braces (on your teeth) you'll know that anything uncomfortable soon becomes second nature with time. Many individuals are against this form of carry, but it has advantages in concealment factor (only an inch of the punyo sticks above your pants) and ofcourse, how can we forget the indispensable [cool] factor. ^_^
Due to the technicality of this sheath, this review might read more like an instructional than straight out opinionated dribble, but such is the case with groundbreaking ideas. Waxes is the first person I have heard of that has designed a carry system for a Balisong in this configuration. Again keep in mind that this sheath, although 'stealthy', is not the most comfortable of carries. To find out if this kind of carry is for you, start to carry your folder in an IWB carry for a few days to see if you like it (or can take it), keep in mind that it took me a time span of weeks to get used to it.
Atattchment: The sheath is inserted INSIDE one's pants with the belt hoop clipped and exposed on the outside, your belt is then threaded into the loop for retention. This sheath can be worn on the RIGHT-FRONT side or the LEFT-FRONT side (although if you want Matt to design a kidney holster for you, just ask him - the kidney carry (back) will set you up for an ice pick opening - I won't blabber on how you will do that or else it will add two more pages to this review >_<).
Comfort: The sheath currently resides on my right side, and runs perfectly vertical. The handles run down my thigh and ends at my pelvis joint. The knife pokes me at the joint and the punyo at my gut. Although wearing your shirt tucked in helps, this is not the most confortable of alignments, and I suggested to Matt to maybe adjust the alignment so the handles tilt more to your crotch area and thus aligns with the joint of yoru pelvis. This is how I carry most fixed blade knives. It glides down your thigh rather than poke into it. WARNING this type of carry is NOT recommended for people who have pointed skullcrusher tangs/punyos (such as Walter Erikson designs), unless you want to have a second bellybutton ^_^.
Extraction: My version of this IWB sheath uses a STRIP DRAW extraction method, leading to the RIGHT.
Before I go on any further, let me show you two IWB sheaths. On the left is the [Mikus Model 001 IWB sheath], the first ever IWB sheath designed by Matt. Next to it is my convertible sheath. As you can notice they are direct mirror images, and they execute the strip draw in opposite directions. For those who have read my review of Matt's horizontal sheaths, assuming right hand carry, mine would execute a STRIP DOWN extraction and if Mikus' sheath would be converted in the same manner, his would be a STRIP UP method. Do you visualize this? It exemplifies how you have to really give Matt all the info you have on how and where you want to carry your convertible sheath, and understand how they interact.
Extraction method 1: There are two ways I can extract this knife. With the RIGHT or the LEFT hand. (Again please look at the image above for a reference.) Please visualize with me. Your sheath is in your pants above the right thigh. Your RIGHT hand goes OVER and AROUND (your wrist and fingers cup the uper handle area) the top of the punyo, and grabs the top of the SAFE HANDLE. The momentum generated automatically pops the latch free and puts your wrist into the circular flight path for forehand opening of your choice. BE CAREFUL NOT TO GRAB THE BITE HANDLE, it is very easy to grab the bite handle outright and PULL instead of PUSH the knife free. Ofcourse if you prefer this kind of draw, you can do a bite handle opening.
Extraction method 2: The second extraction method utilizes your left hand. The graphic is self explanatory. With your left hand you come cross body (assuming the sheath is on your right side) and grip and push free.
I have just demonstrated THREE methods on how one can customize their sheath. The pinch PULL and PUSH draw as well as the WRAP AROUND PUSH draw (you can do a wrap around PULL draw in theory). Further stressing the point of thinking about how you want to draw this knife. With a little practice all draws are easy and smooth fromthe extraction to the opening, but by design the PUSH draw opening uses the momentum of the draw to put your wrist into a better flight path for opening, minimizing unneeded fumbling.
Speed and ACTION hand!!!: Matt expresed his concern about this type of sheath saying that the HORIZONTAL sheath required the sheath to hug the knife tighty and might compromise the speed of opening. The more I used this sheath the more I began to agree with him. Although the extraction and action of the draw was fast and smooth when I was able to connect there have been instances of misfires where I couldn't get enough steel in between my fingers. I have asked Matt to modify my belt clip to let more of the knife be exposed and have it tilt more for a positive first kiss when I go for my Balisong. Secondly I found that the WRAP AROUND draw was very fatiguing for me since I have short fingers. Once or twice was not a problem but constant cycling really took it's tool on me. In my opinion people with shorter fingers shoudl stick to the PINCH PUSH draw for the IWB configuration.
However you cannot dismiss the fact that the WRAP AROUND PUSH draw sets up and aligns your wrist and hand DIRECTLY into an opening trajectory. The HORIZONTAL sheath I reviewed uses a STRIP DOWN opening which requires your hand to push down, STOP then twirl into a circular fashion. Thus, I REINSTATE MY EARLIER COMMENT. Although the HORIZONTAL STRIP DOWN OPENING gives you less chance of your bali snagging onto your shirt, the STRIP UP OPENING 'sets you up' immidiately for a manipulation, and as I noted earlier, gives you more peace of mind that your bali won't fall off accidentally.
Can you see that I am now torn between all these openings. I am not making it easy for you to decide I know =). I believe that whichever configuration you choose makes little difference and is all a matter of personal preference.
Reinsertion: This sheath, being all in yoru pants really is quite a fumble when you try to resheath your balisong. But with a little practice I found it pretty 'no problem'.
Recommendations: I have my design in mind but let that not influence the type of configuration you would liek to have on your custom concealex sheath. I want to remind you that my opinion is just that, an opinion. You can't always have your cake and eat it too, the advantages and disadvatages of each configuration is laid out for your discretion and I invite you to cook up your own recipe or talk it over with Matt to let him suggest what is the best for you. When I say disadvantages I refer to the SLIGHT probability of the knife snagging to clothing and a discrepancy of speed in 1/100ths of a second. Integrity and reliability of the sheath is not an issue in my opinion.
# FINAL SCORE: HORIZONTAL STRIP UP OPENING: smooth circular opening and less chance of the Bali dropping if punched or slappedby an assailant, but can get snagged by clothing or body parts upon opening.
# HORIZONTAL STRIP DOWN OPENING: less chance to get snagged, directs the draw away from body. Can be slapped by assailant.
# IWB WRAP AROUND DRAW: Risk of misfire. Strain on fingers and grip. (Suggestion to Matt to make more of the knife poke out of your pants for more real estate.)
# IWB PINCH PUSH DRAW: Slightly slower, more comfortable. (remember to wear this config on your strong side.)
Okay.. I have babbled enough. Time to sit down and think about how you wanna WHIP IT OUT... Literally.. =)
