Knife placement

Tricky · February 11th, 2006, 09:45 PM

I have my knife on my harness waistband in the standard position. I've just been watching the DIR III video, and it showed GI3 pulling the knife with his right hand in a fluid movement. He explains that it's positioned there for this very reason. The action looks natural, and feels natural when I try it (imaginary, as I don't have the harness to hand). However, I'm left-handed, and using my right hand would not be much use. If I try to pull my imaginary knife from where it is with my left hand, the action doesn't feel so natural. If I try assuming the knife is on the other side of my body (e.g. same side as light canister), it feels natural again. Is it ok for me to have the knife on the right side of my body instead of the left?

I imagine that if my buckle went far enough across my body, then I could just slide the knife across, otherwise I might have to just have the knife on the right hand strap of the waist band.

Mal Bridgeman · February 11th, 2006, 10:17 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Tricky)

I imagine that if my buckle went far enough across my body, then I could just slide the knife across, otherwise I might have to just have the knife on the right hand strap of the waist band.

Hi

If you have the knife on the right side of your body, how would you get it through the crotch strap?

Also if you had it on the RH strap it would easily fall off.

I guess they knew what they were thinking of when they went for standardised approach !! :D

Perhaps you could start up a Left handers approach where everything is reversed and call it RID!!

Rgrds
Mal

Tricky · February 11th, 2006, 11:06 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman)

If you have the knife on the right side of your body, how would you get it through the crotch strap?

I don't think it would be too difficult, could take the knife out of the sheath before passing the strap through the loop on the crotch strap.

Quote:

Also if you had it on the RH strap it would easily fall off.

Again, I don't think it would - the loop on the sheath is a fairly tight fit.

Quote:

I guess they knew what they were thinking of when they went for standardised approach !! :D

True, but it's based on a right-handed approach which doesn't always suit me.

Quote:

Perhaps you could start up a Left handers approach where everything is reversed and call it RID!!

You might be on to something there :D

**jb2cool** · February 11th, 2006, 11:10 PM

you can put it wherever you like or find that it best suits you but it won't be DIR

Tricky · February 11th, 2006, 11:20 PM

The problem is, I have it in the prescribed position at the moment, and I reckon if I needed it in a hurry, I might have a problem. Surely that means I'm already not doing it right. If the reason the decision was made to put the knife on the left of the buckle (as you look down your body) was because it allows the knife to be drawn in a fluid left-to-right motion that's natural for a right-hander, surely for a left-hander to have it more to the right is still DIR because it still allows the same motion?

Divingniknaks · February 11th, 2006, 11:29 PM

OK, lets extend this further then (humour me)

Is it more comfortable for you to have the can light in your right hand and the can on the left ?

Where to put the SPG ? On the right ?

I'm asking seriously because I can imagine as a "lefty" you must have other issues than just the light ?

Not something I've ever thought about to be honest but it's a good question.

Does it raise questions of hose routing? Is it easier for you donate using your left hand ?

I'll stop now before I go mad !

**jb2cool** · February 11th, 2006, 11:30 PM

it will not be DIR because it's not the same setup as everyone else. It might be better for you but it's not DIR.

I might not be the best person to comment though. Ask Rich or Andy as they probably have a better feel for this kind of thing.

**Alastair** · February 11th, 2006, 11:51 PM

Bearing in mind you are most likely to need your knife to cut line you need to be able to do it with either hand. As it doesn't fall off the left side it's probably most sensible to put it there.

I wouldn't worry about how slick you can do it. If I'm pulling my knife it is going to be slowly - last thing you need is a crazed knife weilding buddy near your drysuit.
:D

NickB · February 12th, 2006, 12:21 AM

With the amount of rust on his knife, it's a real achievement to get it out of the pouch

Tricky · February 12th, 2006, 12:24 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

Is it more comfortable for you to have the can light in your right hand and the can on the left ?

Right hand, but only because I've never tried it with the left.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

Where to put the SPG ? On the right ?

Actually, on the left suits me best because I'm more dexterous with my left hand.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

Does it raise questions of hose routing? Is it easier for you donate using your left hand ?

Probably yes, but I think there's a distinction between doing something with your "wrong" hand, like cutting line, and just holding something with your "wrong" hand, like holding a reg while you donate it.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair)

I wouldn't worry about how slick you can do it. If I'm pulling my knife it is going to be slowly - last thing you need is a crazed knife weilding buddy near your drysuit.

That's the most sensible response so far

I agree, although what I'm talking about is not necessarily a quick action, just a fluid, natural looking action.

I think I'll just leave it where it is and practice drawing the knife with my right hand. It's all about muscle memory you know

February 11th, 2006, 09:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Knife placement I have my knife on my harness waistband in the standard position. I've just been watching the DIR III video, and it showed GI3 pulling the knife with his right hand in a fluid movement. He explains that it's positioned there for this very reason. The action looks natural, and feels natural when I try it (imaginary, as I don't have the harness to hand). However, I'm left-handed, and using my right hand would not be much use. If I try to pull my imaginary knife from where it is with my left hand, the action doesn't feel so natural. If I try assuming the knife is on the other side of my body (e.g. same side as light canister), it feels natural again. Is it ok for me to have the knife on the right side of my body instead of the left? I imagine that if my buckle went far enough across my body, then I could just slide the knife across, otherwise I might have to just have the knife on the right hand strap of the waist band. __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

February 11th, 2006, 10:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mal Bridgeman(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 662	Quote: (Originally Posted by Tricky) I imagine that if my buckle went far enough across my body, then I could just slide the knife across, otherwise I might have to just have the knife on the right hand strap of the waist band. Hi If you have the knife on the right side of your body, how would you get it through the crotch strap? Also if you had it on the RH strap it would easily fall off. I guess they knew what they were thinking of when they went for standardised approach !! :D Perhaps you could start up a Left handers approach where everything is reversed and call it RID!! Rgrds Mal __________________ Opinions and beliefs are correct at the time of posting but are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the author.

February 11th, 2006, 11:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Quote: (Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman) If you have the knife on the right side of your body, how would you get it through the crotch strap? I don't think it would be too difficult, could take the knife out of the sheath before passing the strap through the loop on the crotch strap. Quote: Also if you had it on the RH strap it would easily fall off. Again, I don't think it would - the loop on the sheath is a fairly tight fit. Quote: I guess they knew what they were thinking of when they went for standardised approach !! :D True, but it's based on a right-handed approach which doesn't always suit me. Quote: Perhaps you could start up a Left handers approach where everything is reversed and call it RID!! You might be on to something there :D __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

February 11th, 2006, 11:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 796	you can put it wherever you like or find that it best suits you but it won't be DIR __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

February 11th, 2006, 11:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	The problem is, I have it in the prescribed position at the moment, and I reckon if I needed it in a hurry, I might have a problem. Surely that means I'm already not doing it right. If the reason the decision was made to put the knife on the left of the buckle (as you look down your body) was because it allows the knife to be drawn in a fluid left-to-right motion that's natural for a right-hander, surely for a left-hander to have it more to the right is still DIR because it still allows the same motion? __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG

February 11th, 2006, 11:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	OK, lets extend this further then (humour me) Is it more comfortable for you to have the can light in your right hand and the can on the left ? Where to put the SPG ? On the right ? I'm asking seriously because I can imagine as a "lefty" you must have other issues than just the light ? Not something I've ever thought about to be honest but it's a good question. Does it raise questions of hose routing? Is it easier for you donate using your left hand ? I'll stop now before I go mad ! __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

February 11th, 2006, 11:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 796	it will not be DIR because it's not the same setup as everyone else. It might be better for you but it's not DIR. I might not be the best person to comment though. Ask Rich or Andy as they probably have a better feel for this kind of thing. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

February 11th, 2006, 11:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Bearing in mind you are most likely to need your knife to cut line you need to be able to do it with either hand. As it doesn't fall off the left side it's probably most sensible to put it there. I wouldn't worry about how slick you can do it. If I'm pulling my knife it is going to be slowly - last thing you need is a crazed knife weilding buddy near your drysuit. :D __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

February 12th, 2006, 12:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
NickB(Offline) Always lowering the tone Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 340	With the amount of rust on his knife, it's a real achievement to get it out of the pouch __________________ SnowHeads / BreastFriends / Free Money!

February 12th, 2006, 12:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) Is it more comfortable for you to have the can light in your right hand and the can on the left ? Right hand, but only because I've never tried it with the left. Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) Where to put the SPG ? On the right ? Actually, on the left suits me best because I'm more dexterous with my left hand. Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) Does it raise questions of hose routing? Is it easier for you donate using your left hand ? Probably yes, but I think there's a distinction between doing something with your "wrong" hand, like cutting line, and just holding something with your "wrong" hand, like holding a reg while you donate it. Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) I wouldn't worry about how slick you can do it. If I'm pulling my knife it is going to be slowly - last thing you need is a crazed knife weilding buddy near your drysuit. That's the most sensible response so far I agree, although what I'm talking about is not necessarily a quick action, just a fluid, natural looking action. I think I'll just leave it where it is and practice drawing the knife with my right hand. It's all about muscle memory you know __________________ "I know that you believe that you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant." "Make me one with everything" said the Mystic to the Hamburger vendor. UK Diving Forum Sryth: A Free Online Text RPG Join the Adventure! Fallen Sword: Free online RPG