For those of you who carry AND wear a survival knife while paddling and portaging, what has been most comfortable? Ie, how do you wear it ? Hanging from belt loop on side, Molle style, across chest, horizontal across back belt loops….

I’m still trying to find a sweet spot for when paddling and wearing a pack paddling.

This is one that I go to. It can be carried vertically, vertically with the dangler or horizontally after unclipping the dangler. I wear it horizontally whenever canoeing or portaging because it stays out of the way like that. around camp, I put the dangler on again.

My Mora Garborg carbon is on my belt when I camp. It’s very light and is handy when I need it.

Savage Voyageur: "My Mora Garborg carbon is on my belt when I camp. It’s very light and is handy when I need it. "

Are you saying you wear your knife on your belt while paddling and portaging and it’s quite comfortable?

seamusknives: "


This is one that I go to. It can be carried vertically, vertically with the dangler or horizontally after unclipping the dangler. I wear it horizontally whenever canoeing or portaging because it stays out of the way like that. around camp, I put the dangler on again."

This is a nice setup. Thanks for introducing me to the dangler. I’ve never heard of one before but I’m rather a novice to camping knives.

I take three knives on a canoe trip. I TRY to have two on my when paddling, but my primary one is attached to my PFD. The reason I have one also on my PFD is what if I don't put my knife in my pocket or attach the other to my belt? I always want to have it within reach in the case of an emergency, and in the pocket is a terrible place for that, and the belt carry is easy to drop when in a sudden canoe inversion (dumped). The mechanics of reliably reaching and securing from the chest area is much more fool-proof, so that is what I do.

Prior to making the adjustment to attach to my PFD, I would make a fixed-blade was on my belt, and a small folder was always in the same pocket on my PFD.

Getting dumped while in a canoe is normally just that, getting dumped. On occasion, it's chaos, with things wrapped around you and such because you didn't secure your tow line or whatever the reason may be. Also, your canoe buddy or people in another canoe may be in the same situation and things need to be accessible easily, and quickly. Chest carry is a good place for things to be, but having something on you is the key. I personally prefer chest (PFD) carry, but that doesn't mean I believe it's the only way.

This is how I run mine the top photo is mine on my PFD the second photo is a stock setup that I took off that internet. I like mine on my PFD because it's out of the way I've tried belt knives and stuff like that but they always seem to get in the way when portaging or sitting in the canoe.

I always keep a backup pocket knife in my pocket should anything happen to my main knife and I also keep a fillet knife in the camp pack.


Tony

I'll add that the PFD you have may also control being able to have an external knife or in a pocket that you can get to. If you decide to carry in a pocket, try to make it higher on your chest and maybe hook your whistle to the zipper. That way you can grab the zipper easily and THAT pocket is where your "need it right now" things are.

TacoOverland: "

Savage Voyageur: "My Mora Garborg carbon is on my belt when I camp. It’s very light and is handy when I need it. "

Are you saying you wear your knife on your belt while paddling and portaging and it’s quite comfortable?"

Yes I don’t even remember its there. I has a plastic sheath that has a big loop area were my belt is so it can be moved out of the way pretty easily. Last trip i only took it off when it was looking like rain.

Tony,
What knife is that in your photo?

Campcraft: "Tony,
What knife is that in your photo?"

It is the Kershaw responder. I got it about 15 or 20 years ago I don't know if they still make it or not

Tony

As others have stated, my PFD has a "river knife" on it, the type designed to get you out of being tangled up when in the water. It is a Gerber Shorty.

I have an NRS Captain rescue knife I carry in my pocket. This can handle about anything that comes up in camp. There is also North American Rescue Knife in the med kit.

I have two survival knifes that are part of my camp gear. A Kabar BK 22 and a Rat 5. These are the knives shared by those in the camp for chores around the camp.

ockycamper: "As others have stated, my PFD has a "river knife" on it, the type designed to get you out of being tangled up when in the water. It is a Gerber Shorty.


I have an NRS Captain rescue knife I carry in my pocket. This can handle about anything that comes up in camp. There is also North American Rescue Knife in the med kit.


I have two survival knifes that are part of my camp gear. A Kabar BK 22 and a Rat 5. These are the knives shared by those in the camp for chores around the camp."

Very nice! Thanks for the feedback!

The key to your question for me was "when paddling". For 15 years we have taken 10 to 18 men/boys up to BWCA each September. We have meetings before we go. What is drilled into everyone is "what would you bring and how would you pack it/wear it if you KNEW you were going to tip over"?

For that reason I don't wear a knife, pistol, or anything else on my belt when in a canoe paddling. I don't want to lose it, and I don't want them causing a problem when I am trying to self right the canoe and re-enter.

There was a really helpful discussion years ago on this forum asking the question of who carries a "ditch kit" type of gear on their PFD's. That got me thinking. My PFD has four front pockets as well as a knife sheath on the front. ON the back, there is a small pocket style pack that attaches to the back of the PFD. In that there is ALWAYS a fed kit and rescue gear. On the front is the Gerber river knife, a compass, rescue whistle, gps device, and a Spot Messenger.

The river knife serves no purpose in camp, so the larger two knives are used. The rescue knife works really well in camp for cordage issues and as a screw driver.

+1 on a river knife on the PFD. Mine is a CRKT KISS.

I carry a Gerber River Shorty attached to my pfd. It is hung upside down on my chest. For casual paddling I also have a folder in my pants pocket. When tripping I add an additional straight blade knife (USMC Kabar) on my belt. So I always have at least one knife on my person at all times.

ockycamper: "The key to your question for me was "when paddling". For 15 years we have taken 10 to 18 men/boys up to BWCA each September. We have meetings before we go. What is drilled into everyone is "what would you bring and how would you pack it/wear it if you KNEW you were going to tip over"?


For that reason I don't wear a knife, pistol, or anything else on my belt when in a canoe paddling. I don't want to lose it, and I don't want them causing a problem when I am trying to self right the canoe and re-enter.


There was a really helpful discussion years ago on this forum asking the question of who carries a "ditch kit" type of gear on their PFD's. That got me thinking. My PFD has four front pockets as well as a knife sheath on the front. ON the back, there is a small pocket style pack that attaches to the back of the PFD. In that there is ALWAYS a fed kit and rescue gear. On the front is the Gerber river knife, a compass, rescue whistle, gps device, and a Spot Messenger.


The river knife serves no purpose in camp, so the larger two knives are used. The rescue knife works really well in camp for cordage issues and as a screw driver."

I'm curious to know whether you've tried to re-enter from the water with those pockets loaded. Been there, failed at that, quit carrying stuff in the pockets after that. The survival kit goes in a waist pack now.

We practice the two canoe re-entry where the other canoe pulls up , empties the water out of the capsized canoe, rights it, then holds the sides while the capsized paddler "rolls" into the canoe. The items in the front pockets of the PFD's are small and really don't effect it that much.

ockycamper: "We practice the two canoe re-entry where the other canoe pulls up , empties the water out of the capsized canoe, rights it, then holds the sides while the capsized paddler "rolls" into the canoe. The items in the front pockets of the PFD's are small and really don't effect it that much."

Until you’re solo …

gravelroad: "

ockycamper: "We practice the two canoe re-entry where the other canoe pulls up , empties the water out of the capsized canoe, rights it, then holds the sides while the capsized paddler "rolls" into the canoe. The items in the front pockets of the PFD's are small and really don't effect it that much."

Until you’re solo …"

For what it’s worth, as the OP, I’m solo. So yeah, this matters.

After again reading all the posts I see quite a variety of preferred ways to wear a fixed blade knife. Some good points about safety, convenience and back-up cutting tool strategies were all made. Still, I evolved to my favorite way to carry after many years and many attempts to experiment with other ways. Ultimately, I gravitated to one relatively short knife worn horizontally on my belt to the left of the buckle. Totally out of the way when paddling and when portaging. It's easy to draw out and to place back in it's sheath. I don't have to replace it when in camp and my PFD is taken off. A small multi-tool, axe and saw are in my pack for camp chores. So, everyone is different and no "one size fits all" is the rule but I'd recommend trying a horizontal-carry.

seamusknives: "So, everyone is different and no "one size fits all" is the rule but I'd recommend trying a horizontal-carry."

I like that carry method. The only reason I personally don't depend on that is how forgetful I am when getting dressed in the morning with everything else on my mind to do. Comes down to knowing myself. Due to that, I need mine already strapped to my pfd, etc. If I didn't have that issue, I would probably try carrying like you are suggesting.

My chest carry probably is ingrained from the military, and my current SAR work. It would feel really weird not having things like that in the chest area.

I carry a Swedish Mora fishing knife on my life jacket. Stainless steel blade, plastic handle and sheath.

My survival knife is either a Gerber or Leatherman on my belt at all times. The only other knife I carry is a fillet knife with my fishing tackle.

Every knife is a "survival" knife.

KarlBAndersen1: "Every knife is a "survival" knife."

+1

seamusknives: "


This is one that I go to. It can be carried vertically, vertically with the dangler or horizontally after unclipping the dangler. I wear it horizontally whenever canoeing or portaging because it stays out of the way like that. around camp, I put the dangler on again."

Really nice setup

ppine: "I carry a Swedish Mora fishing knife on my life jacket. Stainless steel blade, plastic handle and sheath. "

Great knife for the price. Any pics on how you secure it to your PFD?

Thanks! Contact me if you'd ever want one.

Walleye,
The usual sheath on a Mora has a tab on it that fits in the patch on the chest of most life jackets. It never comes loose.

I have collected knives since I was a kid. I have lots of really good carbon steel knives, from all over and some are really old. But carrying a steel knife in a leather sheath around the water makes no sense to me. Rafting trips in particular involve a lot of getting wet and wading. Stainless steel with plastic is perfect.

I have never been accused of packing too little or not having a backup.
I carry an NRS Pilot knife on my PFD (fixed blade in quick release sheath)in the same chest area mount. It’s always there and I always wear the PFD when I paddle.
I also carry a fixed blade Lion Steel T5 in a horizontal sheath along my belt line on the left side. It is easy to access but doesn’t interfere with my movement.
Then there is the Swiss Army knife or multi tool in my ditch kit, and filet knife in my pack.

I really enjoy hearing the many approaches my fellow paddlers take to addressing the same areas.

I also have the Gerber river shorty (in bright green) connected to my pfd, it’s always on it. But I also carry a small knife in my pocket, or pants/shorts waistband. That’s the knife I typically use for everything everyday

The reason so many paddlers carry a knife on their PFD's like the River Shorty is the blunt tip. The last thing you want in a capsized canoe or kayak and entagled lines is a sharp tipped knife.