Carry knife rotation...suggestions?

[Jeff/1911]

Well, I finally own enough knives to figure I should establish a schedule for rotation. I was interested to hear how some of you go about creating a schedule, and whether it includes one or more daily carry knives?



I have been thinking about a schedule that would include a serrated and a plain edged blade together; either one big, one small or two big one day, then two small the next.



I currently have 8 altogether, from which to chose...4 plain edged and 4 serrated.



Ideas? Jeff/1911.

[The Stare]

The answers to this question are likely to be very subjective. I'll try to relate my own rotation(s) and why I carry a particular blade.

First, I am right handed. Not by birth, but created. This makes me perhaps a bit more ambidextrous than some. Next, however irrational, I carry a primary knife dedicated to self defense. This is not a knife that I am likely to pull out for utility reasons, at least not often. It usually is a fairly good-sized knife with a blade between 3.5" and 4".

Being at least as paranoid as the next guy, I therefore want to carry a backup knife. But, I want this to be my utility knife first, and a backup second. I wear jeans or cutoff jeans almost all the time. So, my primary knife is in my right front pocket, and my second/backup in my left.

Just "in case" I always wear a neck knife also. I sleep with it on. I wear mostly T-shirts or sweatshirts untucked, to mainly hide the gut I grew from a new medication about 2 years ago. It also serves to pretty well conceal my two front pocket clips and knife tops. Sometimes, my gut does print the neck knife a bit, I fear.

My two primary carry knives are the Wegner and the CRKT large Apache. I probably carry the Wegner about 4 days to every 1 day I carry the Apache. My second/backup knife is always the Native FRN when I carry the Wegner or Apache. It is very utilitarian, quite ergonomic for me, and will definitely serve for self defense in a pinch.

I own a Calypso Jr Ltwt. If I had the correct wrench, I would switch the clip to left-handed carry, and rotate it with the Native. I want to carry the Calypso Jr anyhow. I also own the Camillus EDC and the Outdoor Edge Paragee. I like both these knives and wish to carry them sometimes. They are strictly right-handed knives, though both can be opened easily with the left hand.

So, occasionally, I carry the Calypso Jr, the Paragee or the EDC. This means that my strong hand knife is the backup/utility knife. So, I carry the Goddard Ltwt in my left pocket, as the primary self defense blade.

I should say that I carry a cane almost everywhere I go. Between 40 and 70% of the time, I need one. The rest of the time I don't. I always carry it in my left hand, because the physical problems that dictate it's use are best served that way.

I haven't gotten very far at attempting to develop my own system using both the cane and a knife. My basic plan is to use the cane in my left hand, and a knife in my right, should it prove necessary. Should things go totally south on a day when I'm carrying the secondary knife on my right side, I switch the cane to my right hand at the onset of the problem (in my practise.)

So, there you have it -- mostly. I also carry my Sebenza on my right flank belt, in a nylon sheath. Mostly because I'm paranoid about having it stolen if I'm away from home without it. Of course, should the situation warrant it, the Sebenza is regarded as a near ultimate utility knife, and not so much a self defense blade. The Wegner is also very utilitarian. The Apache is not. IMO, the Apache is designed solely for self defense.

I don't have a set rotation routine. I go with what feels best to me. When I go to a social event, I tend to carry the secondary blade on my right side. And, sometimes, I just feel confident I'll be okay that way. Most of the time, as I said, I carry the primary self defense blade on my right.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but just knowing what one does, without why, isn't very helpful for you in making your own choices.

Good luck,

Stare

[Sword and Shield]

In a given day, three knives will be in my pockets, but at different times.

I have my Endura clipped to my right side jeans pocket, just as a knife to have around. It's such a great little knife, I like carrying it even when I have no real need to.

Secondly, I have a Buck 450 in a sheath just behind the Endura. This is my work knife, and the knife that gets pulled out for 99% of my cutting jobs during the day.

Those take care of the two knives that have a fixed place in my daily rotation. Now for going to school after work, I can't carry an Endura or my Buck due to a high sheeple density.

This would leave me without a knife, except for my sizable number of sheeple friendly knives at home. For that purpose, I usually just grab a knife off the desk. That knife is either a Case Copperlock (blue), a Case Russlock (red), or a Old Timer large stockman. Class meets 4 times a week, so each knife gets used 4 times in a 3 week period. There is no set pattern, but the knives are rotated around to suit my whim at the moment.

What knives do you have, and in what situations will they be carried? Post a little something and I can noodle out something that might suit you well.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[Jeff/1911]

Thank you both for your comprehensive response to this most subjective question.

Stare - I realize our process may differ but hearing what you do and why is most helpful to me, as prompts thought about various situations for me. Thank you once again for your thoroughness.

Sword & Shield - So far, I have been carrying whatever knife I had bought most recently, with maybe one other to maximize versatility, as follows.

I currently own a number of fixed blades that I have collected for hunting knives, but I will focus on my one-hand opening folders, as these are what I intend to carry. They are:

CRKT M-16 plain edged Tanto

The following Spyderco knives:

G-10 Rookie serrated
Calypso Jr. Micarta plain edged
Large Calypso Micarta plain edged
Military plain edged
Military serrated
Police s/s serrated
FRN Native serrated

I also own the Ladybug which rests on my car key ring, so it doesn't count for the rotation.

I have been carrying one serrated, one plain edged for awhile such as the Police model and the large Calypso, and now for awhile will carry both of the Militaries (having just received the serrated model today), perhaps the Rookie and the Calypso Jr. together...

I had thought for awhile that it made a lot of sense to carry a large serrated and a small plain edged model such as the toothy Police and the Calypso Jr...or perhaps the other way around such as the large Calypso and the toothy Rookie such that I have a large knife for use as needed and a small sheeple friendly cutter for use around the potential freakers. I too like to have a substantial knife along "just in case".

Jeff/1911.

[Tom Percy]

For some of us, its just what feels good when you get up. Sometimes it hard to choose, so more end up being carried on a particular day.
I have 12 that I rotate, the other 4 just fit in, none of which are used for self defence. I just like to have a good knife with me.
- Ladybug is on my spare keys in my pocket.
- Spydercard is always in my wallet.
- Provenator is my moneyclip.
- Clipit on my car keys.
Daily use would be to open boxes, and cut packaging tape.
Still, when all that I own will do the job on any particular day, it is a most difficult choice indeed !

[whosyour]

Jeff,
Hi,here's my carry options.During the day i tend to keep a clipit in the right front pocket,g-10 rookie/native/calypso jr.Three good choices,mine is usually an Endura for work.Now after work,it's more your taste I see to have a comfortable amount of steel in your hand,the military is your fastest opener,and like any spyderco lover you're right front pocket should be your most basic carry place.make it so,plain or serrated is personal opinion with the military,covers both well due to the extended plain tip on the serr version.large calypso,put it away,those are getting real hard to find,and they're so pretty.Your stainless police should be your dress-up knife.If "the sheeple" don't like a shiny silver clip they should just go on there scary*****way and leave us alone.
My nightly carry is either a chinook or gunting.On my side and in plain sight of whoever wants to look upon greatness.I'll carry a small utility knife ie:delica,calypso jr,dragon fly in my pocket to keep the armed with multiple knives aspect from becoming an issue with others.And my dress-up knife,my plain worker,old and as beautiful as the day I got it,no use,just like to keep it with me.
Your rotation whether plain or serrated is your choice,either will due the job,just jump to conclusions about where you're going and what you're doing before you get ther and you will equipment wise be prepared.
And if you still can't decide.Buy a new spydie and carry it home,new ones are always good

[chambers]

Like most of you my primary blade is my strong hand defensive knife. I carry the Emmerson Commander in that role for it's the fastest into action blade I own. I carry the Timberline Worden in my offside pocket. Because I wear a button front uniform shirt that's where I carry my utility knife. with the clip protruding from my shirt front. Usually a cold steel small voyager. Yes I take some flack from Sheeple about it but I tend to be fairly vocal about what they can kiss if they don't like it.

oxxxxxx{------------------------

[Jeff/1911]

My daily choice usually ends up being what "feels good" too...as it should be. One of the things I enjoy so much about my folders is that carrying one (or more) can lend some excitement to an otherwise average day. I think of it kind of as a little secret, although I don't try to keep my knives secret as such. It's just that most people around me don't realize what I'm carrying, or how much fun I'm having doing so.

Jeff/1911.

[vampyrewolf]

I own 4 spydies and only carry 3 of them, rotating the larger one every couple days.
Delica, FRN, plain
Ladybug, 50/50
Cricket, Tufram, Serrated
Wegner jr, G-10, 40/60

The larger one goes in the boot top, the ladybug stays on my keys, the cricket goes IWB. They aren't fully visible, and coworkers only freak when they turn thier back for a second, and hear a *click* behind them. All my choices are workers, and have served well during thier use.


We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[Michael Janich]

Dear Jeff/1911:

A word of advice...

If you're carrying for purposes of personal defense, stick with one primary defensive blade in the same place all the time. Proper emergency deployment requires conditioned reflexes, something you don't get by changing your habits every day. The last thing you want in an emergency is a handful of air from the spot you THOUGHT your knife was and a curiously blank look on your face.

I carry a MOD Tempest on both left and right sides and a Delica blade up, tip to the right in my back pocket. Any "extra" knives I carry go wherever else I can fit them, but they do not replace my standard carry blades.

Obviously if you're carrying for utility or novelty purposes, you've got a lot more room for self-expression.

Stay safe,


mike j

[Jeff/1911]

Michael,

I agree completely. It's just that I haven't really settled on my final choice as a defensive, "always" knife.

Jeff/1911.

[Sword and Shield]

As long as carry isn't a problem, I would pick the serrated Military and the straight Calypso as the two primary carry knives. If the Military is there for self-defense, make yourself comfortable; it will need to be there for a while.

But, the final decision is yours. Carrying two knives, you have 2 squared=16 possible combinations for any day. Try each combination until you find one that works the best. I think you will end up with one large and one small, but your needs may not require it.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[Tightwad]

Jeff/1911...For myself I've found of my many knives there but a few that my hand likes. Yes, my hand.
I've discovered that while I may like the looks of several knives I wind up carrying,, using just a select
few with one in particular. That one is my "anchor" knife that is always on me in the same spot. The
other knife / knives I may carry in a given day are driven by the task of the day. Try this ...Close
you eyes....the handle each one of the knives you own...let your hand decide which will anchor
the rest of your carry. Michael is right...you need at least one knife on you you don't have to think
about when you need it......It's in you hand in a flash.... then back in you pocket just as fast
all without much thought from the front brain. Self defense or not there are other times you
NEED a knife fast......and you don't know when they will happen.

[Jeff/1911]

Thank you all for your thorough and thought provoking responses.

I plan to try some of your suggestions and will write back describing the rotation I have arrived at; for your interest.

Cheers, Jeff/1911.