I've gone on record in the past as disapproving of knife sheaths (usually custom Kydex ones) which incorporate extra bits like fire steels, sharpeners, photon lights, other small knives, but I take it all back as today I put together a package which I really like and worked perfectly.

Yesterday I received a set of chaps I had made for search and rescue work...like gaiters on steroids. Unfortunately because they have their own belt, it prevents anything from being worn on the belt on my pants. Since the belt was made from webbing, I had an idea. I ran a strap of Lite-on cargo webbing I had through my Gerber LMF II sheath and then through the chaps. I had a perfect cross draw blade across my back which doesn't interfere with my vest...but since I was going out on a training exercise today I wanted to see if a bit of overkill would work...better to try these things during practice than to flounder with them during the real thing.

Since the sheath has a pull through carbide sharpener, I decided to compliment that. I zip tied a Smith's diamond sharpener (without the holder) to one side and the ceramic rod from a Smith's 3 in 1 kit to the other. Not ending there I used some bulk velcro cable wrap and attached the belt pocket for my Gerber Diesel multipliers in between the sharpening rods. Here's what I ended up with (some of the picture are on the dark side...sorry):







I was expecting it to be uncomfortable, awkward, and too heavy. I was pleasantly surprised. The only issue I had was the handle occasionally snagging on my shirt...minor issue and in reality a non issue if I tuck my shirt in next time. I don't think it could have been a tougher test as I spent most of the day on my hands and knees following tracks through thick willows (also a good test for the chaps). It wasn't too heavy at all and everything was ultra secure.

Since I moved my Freeman Hunter to a lanyard around my neck (under my vest), it was the only thing on the belt which left nothing on the sides to snag on anything. Yes I know that's a lot of blades and yes I'm alright with that. I was actually surprised at how many volunteers had either nothing or a key chain Swiss Army Knife...at least a lot of them had a Leatherman. Sure we were a stones throw from civilization but I grew up in those woods and even then I didn't wander without at least a good SAK.

So getting back on topic I take back anything bad I may have said previously about all in everything sheaths...it can be done and now I see the benefits. It's nice to have something like this handy that I could literally wrap around my waist in seconds while running out the door. If I can keep the weight down to a point where it's not encumbering, I might add a few more things to it.

Hmmm...
This has got me thinking.
I have been trying to figure out how to attach a small pouch to my LMF II sheath for the last week or so.
I don't have a need to attach further sharpening tools, but am interested in a pouch for a firesteel, and mabye a small compass.

Thanks hacksaw. You've got me thinking again.
When i decide on something, I'll post with pics!

thanks again.
peace

al

Slick.

Cool custom job mate. I love creating my own solutions for carry. How you like that Gerber LMF?

I love the LMF though it's not replaced a small sharp knife like my Freeman Hunter for bushcrafty stuff. I mostly use it for rough work like chopping (the heavy pommel lets you grip the handle low with just a couple of fingers giving you way more speed at the tip), batoning, hammering (the pommel can be used as a hamme), or anything I would not normally use a knife for (like digging cat holes) because I know it's tough enough to endure more than I'm willing to subject a knife to. It's my lightweight alternative to carrying a shovel, axe, hatchet, and a backup knife. It's also quick to draw...something that is never a bad thing in cougar country. That same webbing belt also holds a can of bear spray.

I don't really consider the Diesel to be much of a backup blade as I'm not partial to the knife in it...but it is sharp and it is there so I guess that's my tertiary backup knife. The Diesel also has a saw which covers pretty much any wood working need I might have.

I think if I can add a firesteel of some kind and something high visibility to the lanyard loop in the pommel, it will be an improvement without being overkill.

Glad it works for you. My only concern would be the additional sharpeners zip tied on. Can you slide them out, or must you cut the ties to use them? If you can slip them out, can they fall out by accident? If you have to cut the ties, what do you do with them after that?

How 'bout a pic of those chaps???

The ties as I have them would need to be cut off. I do carry spares as part of my regular kit but I've been considering replacing them with re-usable ties. I just didn't want to cut re-usable ones if it wasn't going to work. It would be rare that I'd need to field sharpen anything anyhow but I feel more comfortable knowing I can (I see them being used to sharpen somebody elses knife before they get hurt before I'd need it for my own). I wouldn't have a problem with sticking the sticks into a pocket after removing them for use if I couldn't get them back in. I've also considered zip tieing 4-6 small rubber o-rings to hold the rods in but I think they might flop around too much for my liking.

That's definately a point scored for custom Kydex over my ghetto rigged stuff.

Since it was a training exercise there are lots of pictures of me in sexy yellow chaps...I just don't have copies yet. Once I do I'll toss one up for your collective amusement.

"...sexy yellow chaps..."

I hope that they are better looking than my bright orange chainsaw chaps...

Either way that's a pretty good idea.

I have a firesteel at home which I've melted the handle off of. It might fit in the multitool pouch...that's good enough for me. The nice thing about the multitool is that if my hands can't hold the steel with no handle (too cold, etc.), I can grip it in the pliers and strike it with the knife.

I like the idea of having everything together for a throw on and go -- like a batbelt.

Sorry no good pictures of the chaps...maybe I'll take some of my own once they're washed.

Think biker style chaps but bright yellow in heavy cordura style nylon...pretty plain but man are they ever better than gaiters when bush whacking waist deep in thistle.

The bat belt look is one thing I'm trying to avoid by not having sheaths and pouches all around my waist.

"...once they're washed..."

NO! The used look is much better...

I need to wash them because I'm going to spray them down with Nikwax tent and gear proofer.

Well, if you must...

I've been futzing (technical term) all night trying to see if I can fit the fire steel properly and not just fit it for the sake of sticking it in there...so far no luck. I also haven't switched out the zip ties yet but I did discover an alternate configuration that I sorta liked so I took a couple of pictures. Since the multi-tool is held on with Velcro, it's easy to swap so here's what I put together:




It's far less practical but there's something stylish about the Sting that I've always liked.

If you swap out that Sting for a Leatherman Wave or Surge, then you will really have something! Plus, the fabric Leatherman pouches have little elastic sleeves on both sides that you can stick goodies into, and another elastic sleeve inside of the main pouch...

I'm one of 'those people' who don't like the style of the Leatherman tools. I'll stick to my Gerber multipliers as pictured at the top of this post. (When Leatherman makes pliers that are as easy to open with one hand as my Gerbers, I'll think about it)

I have some old belt pouches for cell phones and radios laying around that I'm going to try and attach next. If the flap closes securely enough to not spill it's contents while bouncing around sideways I could use it as a small emergency kit or first aid kit creating a 3rd and possibly 4th configuration option.

I need to be careful not to get carried away or I'll end up with more of a fanny pack than a backup knife kit.

"...easy to open with one hand..."

To each his own, some like Gerbers, some like Leatherman, some like others. Just for info, I can flip my Leatherman open into the plier configuration with one hand, kindasorta like a balisong, and of course open both blades one handed. I use the blades a lot more...

It's true. Leatherman pliers can be opened one handed...but not as easily...for me at least. I can get the pliers to deploy under it's own weight, no flick required.

If I used the knife as a knife, the one hand opening blade would be a real sell for me (I've had my eye out for the new SOG tools for this reason). I've been contemplating the Skeletool CX as a replacement for the pocket knife I take to work because I can't get away with carrying a multitool on my belt and somehow folding pliers are more acceptable these days than any knife.

So what happens to the person under you when you are climbing a rock and scrape those zip ties in half.. they get poked in the eye?

Looks good minus the `ties

-Todd

I think it would be very hard to do that but point noted. I'll consider it when I decide on what to replace them with. I'm still playing with a few ideas.

I broke the scraper thing on my blast match. Not wanting to waste the sparking rod I used my dremmel to drill a small hole through one end and then fixed a wire loop through the hole. I then placed a mini d-ring through the wire to clip it to other gear and added a cut length of hacksaw blade through the wire as well.

It's handy to be able to clip it to stuff now, and I actually like it better than when it was in the plactic case.

That's not a bad idea...drilling a hole I mean. The handles on these fire steels are nice but completely not needed if you strike them a certain way...plus it makes them somewhat reversable which means more strikes. I don't think I'd mind dangling if it were just a little split ring.

I'd likely just use the LMF as the striker...put those serrations to good use.

Rather than use the serrations I'd suggest using the edge of the spine. Keep in mind the intense localized heat created by the firesteel will actually create deposits on the blade (I suspect these are actually small pieces of the blade re-welding themselves to the knife).

I recently used my Gerber LST folder (uncoated satin finish blade) to strike a firesteel and was absolutely convinced that I had ruined the knife -- the entire side of the blade appeared burned and sooty, and was very rough to the touch. Thankfully some scrubbing with an SOS pad cleaned it up.

Jim

Theres a little light show when drilling through the rod, but not as bad as you would think. If you want I can PM you a pic of my set up when I gets off of work. A picture is worth 1000 words and when you see it it will give you a better idea if it will work for you.




True, I like the extra half inch of striking space afforded by removing the handle as well. More length = more sparks

The spine on an LMF II is rounded a little and would be no good unless I filed it down.

A good point though. I've done this to stoves and such lighting them with a firesteel. What I might do is cut and tape a hacksaw blade and include it in this (for lack of a better term) kit. The Gerber Diesel has a wood saw but no metal saw...would compliment the set well and make a fine striker at the same time.

All it needs now is some cordage in case I ever want to lash the knife to a pole. I doubt I'd ever do it but it's designed for it so I might as well be prepared. Wrapping the sheath is out at this point. Maybe one of those paracord keychain box weave fob things? I could likely make one with my usual yellow accessory cord. It would give some extra grip in case I needed to choke down on the handle for chopping leverage.

three stout wood screws may do if space is an issue and assuming you have a wide enough pole. It may not be as strong as cordage but it all depends on what you intend on doing with your spear.

you will need a multi-tool in order to screw and un-screw the knife from the stick though.

This should be noted as a serious design flaw with the blast matches. This happened to me too <50 strikes probably too.

"...somehow folding pliers are more acceptable these days than any knife..."

That is a sad but true fact of life most places these days...

Well, I finally got around to registering for Photobucket, so I'll start posting some images as I find the time. Here's the "Do It All" setup that I use with my LMF II:



I ran one of the existing Gerber velcro straps (the upper one) through the belt loop of the Leatherman pouch, and then added a second velcro strap to the unused (center) slot of the LMF sheath. With these two straps the pouch is attached very securely, and does not move around whatsoever. For the half dozen or so people that haven't yet bought a Gerber LMF, here's what it looks like without the Leatherman (sans the two ridiculous snap straps for the handle of the knife):



The Leatherman is a Charge Al with the optional bit kit stored in the secondary sleeve of the pouch:



To attach the fire steel, I simply ran the lanyard that connects the striker to the fire steel under the Leatherman pouch, then tied it off to the fire steel with a small elastic ranger band (you can just see the cord lock of the lanyard on the opposite side of the LMF sheath in the first image). Like the Leatherman, the fire steel is very secure, yet can easily be removed when needed.

Jim