EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – People often ask me how I carry my pocket knives.
If they come with a pocket clip, like some of my Buck or Cold Steel knives do, I clip it to the inside of my right front pocket.
For knives that don’t have a pocket clip, I have been coming up with a collection of leather slips and sheaths to carry some of my favorites and keep them from getting their handles or covers scratched up by keys or other gear in my pockets. The leather slips and sheaths also keep pocket knives from damaging my phone.
This week, I’m going to go through a quick rundown of some of the new leather slips I picked up this past summer. Hopefully, this gives you an idea of how useful yet artistic these additions to your EDC can be.
Sanctified Leather slips with a Ocoee River “Dirt Buster” (left) and a Rough Rider Desert Fox copperhead (right). Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
First off, let’s take a look at some leather made by Steven over at Sanctified Leather.
His work features a signature motif on the front – a hiker climbing up a mountain while carrying a backpack and staff and at the top of the mountain is a giant cross. You can tell his work just by this symbol.
That image reminds me of our own Mount Cristo Rey in nearby Sunland Park, New Mexico, with the statue of Christ up at the top.
Steven recently sent me a leather slip to check out. It is made of dark brown leather, is hand stitched and features his one-of-a-kind logo. This one also has a star on it with etching that makes it look like the star is throwing light down on the cross and the hiker below. Just exquisite.
On the back is a simple stamp that just reads “HAND MADE.”
I’ve been using this one to carry around a Rough Rider Desert Fox copperhead. (Note: All the knives mentioned this week have already had separate write-ups on them).
Very cool, very simple. From what I’ve seen, the leather in these slips are quite sturdy. Over time, it will break in like all leather does and become more flexible. But I really like how protective these slips from Sanctified Leather feel.
Earlier this summer, I got another slip from Sanctified Leather. This one was a gift from Bryan at Bryan’s Knives. Bryan also included the previously mentioned Rough Rider Desert Fox copperhead as part of the gift.
Anyway, this wonderful gesture from Bryan’s Knives introduced me to Sanctified Leather and the incredible detailed work that goes into these slips. This first one has the signature logo with the hiker and cross on the mountain, of course.
It also features multiple stamps reading “USA” and the U.S. flag all over it, front and back.
This one, I have been using to carry my Ocoee River Cutlery “Dirt Buster,” which is a budget version of a Case Sod Buster.
This patriotric-themed slip is a nice carry, especially for days like Veterans Day, Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.
If you are interested in Sanctified Leather, you can find him on Instagram by clicking here. He also has a YouTube channel, which you can find here.
Slip from J.O. Ventures Outdoors with a Bear and Son 4-Inch Barlow. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
Regular readers of this column know that I have teamed up with my good friend John from J.O. Ventures Outdoors for about a dozen custom-made slips and sheaths.
The latest one is a simple brown leather slip with matching stitching, lanyard and bead and his simple maker’s mark on the back.
This one, he made especially for my Bear and Son 4-Inch Barlow with rosewood handles. This might be the classiest knife in my collection. The slip gives it a great understated look that is perfect for a gentleman’s carry for a night out or even around the office.
Here are links to J.O. Ventures Outdoors on Instagram and on YouTube.
From Red Beard Knife and Tool, I got a soft brown leather slip that I have been using to carry around a vintage Colonial Barlow that I suspect is at least 25 years old. Matching that nostalgic feel of the knife, the slip feels like an old pair of slippers.
Slip from Red Beard Knife and Tool with a vintage Colonial Barlow. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM.
Ed Wittneber at Red Beard Knife and Tool makes custom fixed-blade knives and axes, but he also does impressive leatherwork.
The slip I got from Ed, or Red Beard, also includes a side loop or tube that is meant to fit a pen. Being handmade, sometimes items come out a little bit different than intended. On my slip, that pen loop is a little tight for any pens that I own or routintely use. I am going to order a Mighty Bar pry bar from Gear Spool to carry in that spot, though. I will have more on that in a future column.
You can learn more about Red Beard Knife and Tool by clicking here.
The final slip I will detail this week is from Randy’s WSG. Randy makes great YouTube content on budget knives but is also a talented leathersmith himself.
Slip from Randy’s WSG with a Rough Rider Desert Fox trapper. Photo by Dave Burge/KTSM
The slip I got from Randy is made from red leather with skull silhouettes printed on it. I have been using it to carry a Rough Rider Desert Fox trapper (the sister of my other RR mentioned earlier).
Here are links to Randy’s WSG on Instagram and on YouTube.
Anyway, that’s a long-winded answer, but some leather in the pocket protects your knives and adds a bit of class to your everyday carry.
Here are some other YouTube channels on knives and EDC gear that I enjoy:
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