Pocket Knives

[JohnRippert]

I swapped ends with the clip on my Kershaw Scamp so it would slip onto the pocket hinge down ready to pull out. Agree with 6518John on clips.

I also find it interesting how many people have lost a knife catching the clip on something. I have never had a clip catch on anything.

 

[BB57]

I don't like having to dig around in my pocket for a knife so for decades I used a Buck 110 or Leatherman in a belt sheath.

But that just doesn't work in some settings and I really prefer a knife as can quickly open with one hand. That led to a Benchmade folder (top) with a clip and a lock that when held back, lets you flick the blade open with a flick of the wrist yet isn't spring loaded or assisted so it's legal in most states.

But then the clip likes to reach out and snag seat belts to eject itself from the pocket.

So I went with a fixed blade Benchmade Hidden Canyon and bought another when they updated the design as the new design has a thinner and slightly longer blade. I carry one in my front pocket using an Armatus Carry kydex sheath with an Ulti-clip. It stays clipped. Period.

 

[JM4151]

Knives with pocket clips.

The first thing I do when I get a new pocket knife is to remove the pocket clip. I carry my knife in my right front pocket with my keys and money clip. I always know where to find it.

 

[diyj98]

I used to keep mine clipped to my photographer's vest next to my concealed carry badge, but I've learned it much faster to keep them strapped to my arms and ready to go.

 

[Chukar60]

Odd, the only person I know who has lost a clipped knife carried it clip to the inside, knife to the outside. Not saying that is what those who have posted here were doing when they lost their knives though.
I have been carrying a clipped knife for over 20 years and have never lost one yet.
I had a knife once that the clip kept getting hung up on stuff. Believe it was a Gerber. Took the clip off and the took the bench grinder to it removing about half of the upturn at the end of the clip. Never had another problem with it until I left it on a job site and never saw it again.

 

[MP-5]

Happiness is a well worn pocket clip!

 

[KSDeputy]

I carry a Gerber knife loose in my pocket. It has a clip but I don't use it because a previous clip messed my jeans pocket up.

 

[OLDSTER]

I carry an auto every day, and have for years. Pocket clip is a necessity. My current inventory L to R; Boker, Bench-Made, Piranha, Gerber, Pro-Tech, Pro-Tech.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I don't like having to dig around in my pocket for a knife so for decades I used a Buck 110 or Leatherman in a belt sheath.

But that just doesn't work in some settings and I really prefer a knife as can quickly open with one hand. That led to a Benchmade folder (top) with a clip and a lock that when held back, lets you flick the blade open with a flick of the wrist yet isn't spring loaded or assisted so it's legal in most states.

But then the clip likes to reach out and snag seat belts to eject itself from the pocket.

So I went with a fixed blade Benchmade Hidden Canyon and bought another when they updated the design as the new design has a thinner and slightly longer blade. I carry one in my front pocket using an Armatus Carry kydex sheath with an Ulti-clip. It stays clipped. Period.

Carried a traditional pocket knife since college in the 1970s....right front pocket w/ key ring.. left pocket change and money clip and since 2000 a AAA flashlight. Hard to dig out wearing Wranglers!

I've carried the Benchmade "North Fork" (top folder) for about 7 years now........ the clip access and one handed opening is a game changer in pocket knives.

Before the Benchmade I carried a Kershaw for about a decade; great little knife!.... it got lost while snow blowing the driveway......figured I'd find it in the spring.... didn't happen. S--- happens.

 

[Barbarian-CBX]

This method works well for me. Kershaw Rogue pop blade in 5.11 Tactical pants. Just yank the braided cord to employ.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[gwpercle]

I'm Bi-Clip ... I go both ways !
It depends on the knfe , smaller ones generally get de-clipped and I have to dig them out of my pocket . But I'm learning the value of the clip on long slender knives ... I hace a CRKT that is 3/4" wide X 4 1/4" long (folded) when loose in the front pocket it is just too long , so I clip it to rear of pocket and it stays handy .
Normally I would place such a long knife in my back pocket alongside my wallet ... but that space is already occupied by a Kershaw Fat Back ...and the Fat Back is staying (sans clip) .
Clips do have their places !

I do agree with JohnRippert (post #21) I like the clip on the end with the hinge down ...when drawn from the pocket the index finger is positioned to flip the blade open ...at least on the Kershaw's and CRKT's I carry .
Gary

 

[rockquarry]

I'm not much of a knife guy and have only a few. I carry a very small knife almost daily and have found no use for a clip. And, I don't recall ever having a need to open a knife with one hand. The responses to this thread have surprised me. In this age of unbounded gadgetry, many others also see no need for the clips. Everyone's situation is different and if you find them useful, use them. No argument here.

 

[djohns6]

I'm an old fart and I use the clip unless it proves to be too loose .

 

[oink]

I'm a "ninja" clip guy. Mine don't tend to get snagged by seatbelts and etc. but I prefer medium small thin knives.

For work I always carried a belt knife until the Spyderco invasion took over the duty knife scene. I never had a Spyderco but got an early Gerber USA made knockoff with the oblong hole and pocket clip. Great knife, lightweight plastic handle with a hard stainless blade. Some complained that it was hard to sharpen and it was compared to a lot of steels, but then it held an edge well. I wish I could find it.

I currently carry a Chinese Gerber. I don't like that it's Chinese but I love the size, weight and blade shape. Medium small, thin, light, thumb stud, liner lock, with clip. It doesn't hold an edge as well as my older Gerber Spyderco knockoff but it sharpens quickly and for $20 bucks or so it's bordering on disposable.

For me inexpensive is good as I'm a knife abuser. I use my knife from everything from cutting my food to scraping caulk or even surface rust, stripping and cutting wire, whatever. I don't intend to abuse my EDC knife so badly but I end up doing so as that's the one in my pocket. I do have designated pocket knives for rough work in my chore clothes but...

Yeah, give me a "ninja" clip. Yes it is hard on the pocket but that's just the cost of convenience.

 

[Goldstar225]

I carried a Benchmade 710 clipped in my duty pants for 20 years, never had it come out unless I wanted it to. The screws on my mini Griptilian clip came out on their on. I never bothered to replace them and carry it loose in my pocket.

 

[mauser9]

Yeah some clips are tougher than others as far as flexibility. My older Sog Trident is perfect for in and out. My new Trident AT-XR has a stiff pocket clip and the cord-seat belt cutter slot makes it more of a chore to slip over jean pockets.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Back when I carried a single blade I always removed the clip and trashed it.
Now I carry a multiple blade knife. And they don't have them. With a single blade you dull and you are done. With multiple blade knife you can keep on truckin......My current carry is a 3 blade Case "sowbelly".

 

[CA Escapee]

I've carried all ways.

If it has a clip it's clipped to either of my front pockets. At the same time I've usually got a smaller knife without a clip in my left front pocket. And, I've got a small one on my keyring, too.

 

[Smoke]

The screws on my mini Griptilian clip came out on their on. I never bothered to replace them and carry it loose in my pocket.

Blue Locktite is a thing

 

[Marshwheeling]

Knives with clips are generally bigger than I like to carry. I have only removed a couple of clips, but haven't bothered with the rest, I just don't carry them. A lot of one-handed openers do make good fidget toys.

I have lost knives clipped to a pocket. I have never lost a pocket knife out of my pocket.

An Opinel 6 or 7 is about right for me, once I have trimmed the flared pommel. A 2-layer SAK works for me as well, nothing fatter.

On my school bus, of course, knives are not allowed. I always carry three or four small knives. But those kids are sharp-eyed little devils. They know what a pocket clip is, and would spot one in a second, the more socially astute ones at least.