Spyderco Forums

Here in Ohio, it tends to get cold enough in the winter that one tends to re-evaluate their clothing options. Big coats, gloves, etc.



I have realized that the usual blade clipped to the pocket isn't as accessible when you've got gloves and a 3/4 length coat on. Gloves are necessary for me (I walk and run a lot more than the average bear) so what I tend to do is carry different toys in the wintertime. Folders are replaced by fixed blades, koppo sticks, batons, or really large folders (vaquero grande)



Part of this is because I don't feel comfy fumbling for a knife and trying to get through thick clothing once it is deployed. The other part is that more clothes mean more carry options. One can't stick an ASP down the front pocket of a pair of khaki shorts with out having to fill out a lot of sex offender paperwork the next day.



(Boy, I'd sure LOVE to have a <b>CRMPIT </b> to carry... cough cough!!) <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>



Thoughts?

Interesting topic.
Generally, I like additional clothing, because it will generate additional space for carrying around toys. I like coats/anoraks, you can stuff a pepper spray, kubotan, folder or small fixed blade into every pocket.
The gloves pose a problem for me, I lose a lot of fine motor skill of the hands. Folders are lots of fumble to open (Spyderco´s hole being the best opening device here, IMHO). Fixed blades and caveman hammer grip are my preferred way while wearing gloves.
What´s really annoying for me: I usually carry a large concealed fixed blade IWB (currently a Lamey Concealment Bowie, 7.5" blade). Draw with only a t-shirt or sweats is fast enough, but the anorak complicates it a lot. It´s either yanking the coat way up before drawing, or opening the coat. Both slow and impractical. The only way that works for me with large knives is kydex mounted upside down on the belt, so I can reach under the coat and draw downwards.

I recently changed my EDC from the Delica to the Gunting drone still also waiting for the CRMIPT (not long now). It is an awesome self-defence weapon in its own right, as any one who has been on the end of one will know. If in doubt go to one of Bram's seminars or visit one of his instructors. It's a tool for all seasons.

Dear Tom:

My favorite means of carrying a folder during cold weather is to drop it into my glove before I put the glove on. It rides comfortably against my palm and stays warm with my hand. I don't put my thumb in the glove's thumb, but let it lightly hold the knife. To deploy, I grip the knife against my palm with the thumb, pull off the glove with my other hand or teeth, open the knife and go.

If I don't have time to deploy or choose not to, a slap with the knife in my palm creates the same effect as the old "palm saps" used by cops long ago.

Judge is also correct in his assertion that more clothes create more opportunities for carry, as well as more opportunities to purchase toys. In cold weather, leave your normal EDC knife in your pants pocket and place an additional knife in your coat pocket (by itself, not with a ton of kleenex and 2-year-old candy). Ideally, get a coat with pockets that face to the rear instead of up. When you go out, put your hand in your pocket and your knife in your hand. Make sure you invest some time in practicing drawing from that pocket and drawing after a rear bear hug. Some street folks look for people with hands in their pockets and double team them. One grabs from behind to pin the arms against the body AND in the pockets -- the other provides percussive accompaniment.

As for cold-weather targets, in my MBC program, we emphasize adapting to hit targets of least resistance. Even with heavy winter coats on, the legs are often exposed and typically no more "armored" than during warmer weather. I like to go for the tendon insertion of the quadricep right above the knee. This "de-legs the lizard" (defanging the snake applied to the lower body) and forces the attacker to genuflect his way out of the fight.

Hope this helps.

Stay safe,

mike j

The glove used as a knife storage is a great idea, never tried that before. I have to experiment on that. Maybe clipping to the seam of the glove might work as well as putting it into the thumb.
Mike, have you ever had any troubles opening and using folders with your gloves on? Maybe I´m just the gross motor skill type, but gloves only work with a large folder with big hole :-) or fixed blade for me. Whatever, one can still use the folder tabaak maalit style.
The bit about other stuff in the pockets is very important (at least for me). I had stuff in the pockets getting in the way while grabbing the pepper spray etc. Reserving dedicated spaces for defensive tools can help a lot. I´m sticking to the concept of right side lethal (I´m right handed, there´s always at least one knife on my right body side), left side distraction/nonlethal (pepper spray, kubotan etc).

Dear Judge:

I don't even try to work folders with my gloves on (with the exception of one article I did for Tactical Knives on the Mission titanium folder -- I know someone out there read it and would call me on it). My basic carry rule is no more than one layer of clothing between my hand and my weapon. For use, it's skin on weapon.

One other option that can work pretty well for any kind of weapon carried in the pocket is to stick some velcro on the weapon and sew a tab of matching velcro into the pocket. Don't get carried away and use too large a piece -- just enough to hold the weapon in the position you want it. Then you reach in, acquire a grip, rip and go. This is a nice option for pepper spray to keep it upright and accessible in a winter coat pocket.

Your idea of separating lethal and non-lethal is very interesting and a good option if you train accordingly, as you obviously do. If you carry multiple weapons, one drill you can do is for a friend to call out the weapon to cue your draw. That way you practice grabbing what you need directly. The same drill works for discreet openings as well. Ideally, you should be able to sneak anything you carry out and back in without attracting attention. The BEST draw is the one they never see.

Thanks for your great input!

Stay safe,

mike j