Horizontal Carry Knife & Sheath Review

When hunting or camping, most people choose to have a knife within easy reach. This often means carrying a knife in a sheath on their hip as opposed to putting it into a pocket where it is hard to reach. It also means that you have a knife poking you in the leg or in the side every time you sit down somewhere. Now, you can change this by using a specific knife and Sheath.

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Comparison Table

Gerber	Schrade	HX Outdoor	Raine
Discreet	Versatile	Tactical	Budget
Cost: $$$	Cost: $$	Cost: $$$$	Cost: $
Rating: 4.2	Rating: 4.0	Rating: 4.4	Rating: 4.3

Why Wear This Way?

The advantage of wearing this way is simplicity. The knife is easily accessible on both hips regardless of whether you are left handed or right handed. Most knives are held by a simple snap that can easily be opened regardless of which hand you prefer to use. Your right hand can reach down to your right side or across your stomach to unsnap it. This also means that if you happen to fall and hurt your arm or hand on one arm, you can still use your other hand to access your knife. This could help if you fall while confronting a wild animal or dealing with some other bad situation.

See It In Action Here

This style knife is also easier to work around when you are trying to sit down. It will not poke into your leg or your ribcage. A vertically carried knife may require you to adjust it to make it more comfortable, especially if it is a fixed blade knife instead of a folding one.

However, there are disadvantages to a belt sheath, mostly due to the knife’s size when you are bearing a fixed blade knife. Some feel that it should be concealed under a shirt or a jacket. The handle of it is always within easy reach and there is some concern that people will get the wrong idea if you come across them on a hike or at a campsite. If this is a concern for you, you can put the knife on your back, but it may lessen your access to it with one arm.

Is It the Same As An EDC?

An everyday carry knife and a laying flat knife are practically the same. The only difference is the sheath is going to be slightly different. If you want to your knife flat, you will need to purchase the corresponding sheath.

In order to help you see why some may choose to bear this way, you should take a look at the reviews below. They will show you the knives that are available and the sheaths that you can use for your adventures.

Top Knives

1-ESEE Knives Model 4 Molded Sheath & Belt Clip Plate

This is an excellent full-tang hunting and survival knife made from American 1095 high carbon steel measuring in at an overall length of 9-inches.  The black epoxy powder-coated blade is weather resistant and the linen micarta handle scales are designed for comfortable extended use.  The ESEE Model 4 comes with a molded polypro ambidextrous sheath with strong retention that protects the blade and allows for belt, boot, neck, or pack transport. Includes a belt clip plate for regular carry and also includes a lanyard and cord lock can be used to set up scout-style. ESEE Knives are made in the United States by Rowen Manufacturing.

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2-HX Outdoors Mercenaries Tactical Knife

This fixed balde tactical knife comes with a custom fit hard plastic sheath that is worn vertically.  This knife is designed to withstand strong impact, high strength, harsh environments and is ideal for camping expeditions to military survival training.  The blade is made of D2 steel and forging texture on the blades surface will prevent it from stains or rust. The ergonomic G10 anit-skid handle provides superior grip in the wettest of conditions and is anti-corrosion.

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3-Raine Knife Sheath

This polyester knife sheath is made in the USA and can hold a folding knife that is up to 5.5” long. It has a Velcro closure and hooks onto any belt to hold your multi-tool or folding knife on your side. This is one of the most popular sheaths.

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4-Gerber Ghoststrike Fixed Blade Knife

Gerber is a popular knife brand for many outdoorsmen. This knife features a modular sheath system that can be worn both up and down or side to side. The blade is 420HC with a black ceramic coating to ensure it does not corrode. It has a skeletonized handle so that you can conceal it discreetly, which is good considering the knife is 6.9in long with a 3.3-inch blade.

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5-Buck Knives Selkirk

Buck Knives offers this fixed blade survival knife that comes with a fire starter and sheath.  The Drop Point 420HC Steel Blade delivers excellent strength, edge retention, and corrosion resistance at.  Included with this knife is a 2-1/4 inch fire striker with a whistle integrated in the grip.  This will come in handy for emergency situations.  The contoured Micarta Handle with Steel Bolster provides a safe and secure grip while you work. The steel bolster can be used as an improvised hammer when in the outdoors.  With the convenience of the molded nylon sheath that can be worn either way. Buck Knives offers a lifetime warranty on their knives.

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6-Schrade SCHF14 Drop-Point Fixed Blade Knife & Sheath

If you prefer a hard sheath this could be ideal. It is most like a handmade Kydex knife sheath. The sheath is made of hard glass filled nylon. The stonewashed blade is 3.4” and made of 8Cr13 High Carbon stainless steel.

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7-TR-1166 Custom Handmade Tracker Knife

The TR-1166 custom handmade Damascus steel tracker knife is a beautiful 10-inch black Micarta handle.  This knife has a beautiful ladder pattern, hand forged in a Damascus steel blade. The Damascus steel of this knife has high-quality contents to give an excellent edge and sharp cutting abilities. A handmade durable leather sheath is included.

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8-CRKT C/K Dragon Razor Edge with Fixed Blade

C/K Dragon made by Columbia River Knife and Tool is a 9Cr18 high Chromium stainless steel to stand up the worst abuse. Equipped with a 4.5-inch full tang blade has a tapered grind for great penetrating power. The handle features a deep finger coil and textured G10 scales with deep diagonal grooves for optimum grip. The knife comes with Kydex sheath with a patented multi position clip that can be attached on belts.