Folder Clips: Convenience or Something Else

[Spyder328]

I'm actually more worried about losing a knife thats loose in my front pocket. I've had slipjoints slide out on their own before but never had a knife come unclipped unless the clip snagged something hard.

A clip also makes a heavier knife less obtrusive in the pocket. A lump of a larger loose knife will bug me all day.

Another reason I like clips is the safety aspect. When the knife is clipped tip up, with the blade's spine pressed against the seam of the pocket, its less likely to open accidentally.

I agree 100% :thumbup:

 

[trakker45]

I take the clips off. They don't keep the knife totally secure, and I don't line the way the clip feels in my hand.

 

[bld522]

Of course, if I'm wearing a jacket I have a spring loaded device that allows me to keep a knife in my sleeve and deploy it by turning my wrist just so. ;-)

Right.

A clip also makes a heavier knife less obtrusive in the pocket. A lump of a larger loose knife will bug me all day.

Agreed. It's for that reason that I rarely carry folders that weigh more than 4 ounces. And as far as the safety factor is concerned, I carry my folders blade down in the bottom of my pocket to keep them from deploying accidentally.

As far as having an unclipped folder come out of my pocket, I've heard about that happening far less frequently than a knife coming unclipped. I can't speak for everyone, but I generally don't spend too much time upside down. So stuff doesn't tend come out of my pockets.

 

[spketch]

Maybe its worth mentioning that I have a two year old son. I spend a lot more time rolling around on the floor than I used to.

 

[Invective]

I prefer clipped knives to unclipped. Much easier to check to see if it's in my pocket still. I recently picked up a CC PT with no pocket clip and while it is an awesome knife, I do get worried while biking that it might fall out. It's never happened but I still worry about it. Clipped just feels more secure while biking, and it's easier to check on as well.

I have "lost" a clipped knife though, this was a few years ago when I was working in a stock room. Kept a Spyderco Cat in my back right pocket clipped and one time as I was climbing down from the shelves, I caught the clip on the shelf behind me and it stuck there. Didn't notice it until about half an hour later at which point I searched all the rows and found it just sitting there still luckily. Also once snagged a Caly clip on a table while sitting down and bent it something fierce. It was also in back right pocket. I've since stopped carrying back right pocket for those reasons.

 

[salehonasi]

As long as the clip is properly tensioned, I'd much prefer it clipped on. I've only had one knife un-clip itself on me, my CRKT Eros the very first time I carried it. It was light enough that I didn't notice it missing until I reached for it to fiddle with, and had to spend a fair amount of time retracing my steps. When I inspected it, I realized the clip was poorly tensioned - if you tapped the clip, there was actually a tiny space between the clip and handle. I took it off, bent it gently, reattached, and it fit back perfectly.

A clip isn't going to hold your knife in place no matter what, but it's more secure than having it loose, in my experience (I've had items in my baggier pockets slip out when sitting on a couch, for instance), and prevents it from jostling and bumping anything it's sharing space with, like phones. Also, while most may not require quick access, it's certainly a plus. I mean, I don't require a flipper to open my knives, but it makes it a lot more fun than a nail nick.

 

[bld522]

Maybe its worth mentioning that I have a two year old son. I spend a lot more time rolling around on the floor than I used to.

That explains everything. Enjoy it why you can. They grow quickly.

 

[bld522]

I have "lost" a clipped knife though.

I've only had one knife un-clip itself on me.

It's happened to me, too. I didn't lose the knife, but it did unclip itself. And once was enough for me.

It would be interesting to know how many people lose their knives because they come unclipped. I figure for every person who reports it happening to them on BF . . . and it happens frequently enough to concern me . . . there are scores of others who lose their knives and never report it. And yet folks just keep on clipping them and losing them. Then there are the occasional stories of people losing their jobs or running into trouble with the law for having a knife clipped to their pocket. To me, the attraction or convenience or whatever the motivation is to carry a knife clipped to my pocket just isn't worth the risk.

 

[Let It Bleed]

It would be nice if pants pockets were made with thicker material and better stitching. Plus I simply hate having much in my pocket because of the dreaded "pocket lump." I will carry a Peanut or small Stockman in a pocket, but anything much bigger gets clipped.

I have yet to try one of those clips that allow you to attach multiple items so that they basically dangle within your pocket. And since I usually have a Spyderco Bug or Honeybee knife and a AAA battery flashlight attached to my keys, I definitely plan to try one.

Anything that you carry on your person every day may get lost, especially if it's used infrequently but carried a lot. However, this doesn't apply to a concealed carry firearm, because it's simply too big not to notice. That and you would have to be a complete idiot who shouldn't be carrying anyway.

And while I hate to lose my stuff as much as the next guy, I simply remind myself that "one man gathers what another man spills" and hope it finds a good home. I've never been lucky enough to find a lost knife, but I seem to be a sunglass magnet. Of course you try to get it back to the owner, but sometimes that proves impossible.

Therefore, I clip most knives for comfort and easy access. Also, ask any couch or recliner which they prefer - those thieving but oh so comfortable sons of biscuits.

 

[LEGION 12]

Only time I've had a knife come unclipped from my pocket was when I was doing a double reverse back flip off a pomell horse.Let me tell you never did that again.

 

[davek14]

I don't carry clipped knives too much, but I hate a knife sideways in the bottom of a side pocket and prefer a clipped knife to that.

So, to keep the knife upright?

 

[stabman]

Since I discovered the magic of pocket clips, I have never lost a knife.
I lost several back in the dark ages before the enlightenment of Spyderco spread across the land.

So, I don't lose my knives.
They are always in the same place.
No need for an ugly pouch on my belt. :thumbup:

 

[stabman]

I don't really know lol I ride bmx and I've ridden dirt bikes with my Shallot clipped to my pocket and I haven't lost it yet.

I capsized a canoe and didn't lost the folder.
I've sparred and grappled with training knives clipped in the pocket.
I don't what people who lost a clipped knife did to do so.

Edited to add: I have seen idiots with the knife clipped so that the knife itself was hanging outside the pocket!

 

[grownstar]

I like my knives clipped. The only knife I just throw in my pocket is my G10 Dragonfly, but even that's clipped to the key ring of my Kershaw T-Tool.

My 0551 stays clipped to my right front always, and sometimes I'll throw my Utilitac or Emerson clipped to my back pocket.

Something that helps me is every time I get up after sitting or doing some kind of activity, I do a pocket check to make sure nothing has fallen out. Wallet? Check. Phone? Check? Car keys? Check. Sharp pointy things? Double check!

Maybe it stems from a little OCD, I don't know. But I haven't lost anything yet.

 

[bld522]

I have yet to try one of those clips that allow you to attach multiple items so that they basically dangle within your pocket. And since I usually have a Spyderco Bug or Honeybee knife and a AAA battery flashlight attached to my keys, I definitely plan to try one.

That's the only clip device I use, and it's terrific. I carry an AAA battery flashlight, a peanut lighter and a Leatherman Micra on mine. I figure if it ever gets unclipped, I won't be out that much money. And I use the Micra a lot, so having easy access to it is worth the risk of losing it. But clip my Sebenza to my pants pocket? Not on your life.

 

[Ken44]

I'm actually more worried about losing a knife thats loose in my front pocket. I've had slipjoints slide out on their own before but never had a knife come unclipped unless the clip snagged something hard.

A clip also makes a heavier knife less obtrusive in the pocket. A lump of a larger loose knife will bug me all day.

^ These two for sure.

Since I discovered the magic of pocket clips, I have never lost a knife.
I lost several back in the dark ages before the enlightenment of Spyderco spread across the land.

So, I don't lose my knives.
They are always in the same place.
No need for an ugly pouch on my belt. :thumbup:

Same here. IMO its one of the best inventions for a knife ever. Thanks Sal !!!
I've had several knives slide out of my pocket that didn't have a clip, but not once has a clipped knife came out of my pocket.
If a knife is clipped I never feel for it to make sure it is there.
When I'm carring a slipjoint I'm always feeling to make sure it hasn't slipped out.

The pocket clip is the main reason I carry a modern knife every day.
If not for the clip I would more than likely only carry Slipjoints.

 

[bld522]

^ These two for sure.




Same here. IMO its one of the best inventions for a knife ever. Thanks Sal !!!
I've had several knives slide out of my pocket that didn't have a clip, but not once has a clipped knife came out of my pocket.
If a knife is clipped I never feel for it to make sure it is there.
When I'm carring a slipjoint I'm always feeling to make sure it hasn't slipped out.

The pocket clip is the main reason I carry a modern knife every day.
If not for the clip I would more than likely only carry Slipjoints.

I almost never hear anyone talk about having their knife slip out of their pocket. On the other hand, I hear about people complain about losing their clipped knives at least once every month or two. So what gives?

 

[Ken44]

I almost never hear anyone talk about having their knife slip out of their pocket. On the other hand, I hear about people complain about losing their clipped knives at least once every month or two. So what gives?

Because you hear from MANY more people that carry a clipped knife. Most people these days carry a clipped knife, so naturally you're going to hear more about those.

 

[bld522]

Yes, that makes sense. Speaking from my own experience, however, I've never come close to having my knife (or my comb or my wallet or my phone or anything else for that matter) fall out of my pocket. But I have had a clipped knife come unclipped. Once bitten, twice shy.

 

[stabman]

I almost never hear anyone talk about having their knife slip out of their pocket. On the other hand, I hear about people complain about losing their clipped knives at least once every month or two. So what gives?

Clips!
Most people I've met have knives with clips.
So, there's less "clipless" folks out there to have a knife slip out.
Conversely, there's enough "clipped" folks out there to have enough number to lose some, even if it's a very small percentage of the overall numbers.

Plus, don't discount idiots who clip a knife so the knife hangs outside the pocket; I see them, and I don't understand how they don't always end up losing their knife.

I've had my pepper spray slip out of a pocket while sitting in a car...maybe someone should start putting clips on those damned cans.