A DIY system for pocket carry of knives lacking clips

Cyrano

Cyrano

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2015
Messages
350
I find having a knife lay horizontally at the bottom of my pocket to be uncomfortable and inconvenient. I have some lovely knives which I rarely carry because they lack a pocket clip.

For knives which have a lanyard hole, I've used a short length of paracord to tether them to an off-the-shelf pocket clip like this one:

i-D6MdSZV-S.jpg


This solution (paracord + clip) is OK for transportation, as the knife carries vertically along the edge of the pocket. However, this solution has drawbacks:
  • Getting the knife out of the pocket is somewhat inconvenient, as the pocket clip must be removed from the pocket.
  • When the knife is in use, the pocket clip dangles off the end of the knife's handle.
  • This solution works only for smaller knives. Larger knives have the lanyard hole too high in the pocket to make the combined length of (knife + clip) fit comfortably inside the pocket.
  • This solution works only for knives with lanyard holes.
My latest solution addresses these shortcomings. This solution combines the pocket clip with expandable nylon netting and a quick-disconnect paracord buckle, as shown here with a higonokami knife:

i-dBDmKgk-L.jpg


One end of the nylon netting is fused closed with a hot knife. At its other end, one part of the quick-disconnect buckle is attached using hot-melt glue.

The other part of the quick-disconnect buckle is attached to the pocket clip, also using hot-melt glue:


i-PBbkrF8-L.jpg


The result is a thin, lightweight, and form-fitting sheath which can be easily connected/disconnected from the pocket clip:

i-grBTvbd-L.jpg


i-XdJ2WmP-L.jpg


My initial evaluation of this solution is positive:
  • The knife carries well, in a good vertical position along the edge of the pocket.
  • The sheath adds very little to the dimensions of the knife.
  • Getting the knife out of the pocket is convenient. The end of the knife extends past the top of the sheath, making it easy to grasp the knife and withdraw the knife from the sheath. The sheath and clip remain in the pocket.
  • When the knife is in use, there is nothing attached to the knife.
  • This solution should work for both small and large knives.
  • In addition to allowing the use of a pocket clip, the netting provides protection for the knife while in the pocket. The netting can also be left on the knife to provide protection when the knife is not in use.
  • Only one pocket clip is needed, with each knife having its own inexpensive bespoke sheath:

    i-43MJgg2-XL.jpg

Durability of this system remains to be determined.
 
That’s pretty cool. Nice work. I agree it can be a pain to fish a folder out of a pants pocket. I also carry my phone in that same pocket, compounding the problem.
 
I use dangler clips attached directly to some flashlights and knives via a split ring (no paracord nor 'netting sheath') and find it an excellent carry sytem.
 
Ingenious.

I have a pair of med-large traditionals I like to carry upright in my pocket. I use a William Henry ClipCase. These are nicer than your solution but also much more expensive and take up more pocket real estate.

Also, the largest WH ClipCase is still too small for my biggest traditionals (such as a GEC 23 Bull Lock). I was considering getting a Houston CHMP concealed holster. These are cheaper than the WH but not as nice and take up even more pocket real estate.
 
I picked up a pocket sheath with a clip off of the big auction site for around 5 bucks. I got a large one and it fits the Kabar large coppersmith like a glove.
 
I carry a handkerchief in my right pocket, and the knife sits vertically at the back seem right like it’s supposed to. The pockets on my Wranglers aren’t too baggy, so the knife doesn’t have much room to slide past the hankie. Works like a charm, and then I also have a handkerchief! Consider a pocket sheath that fills your whole pocket.
 
Nice idea. I have an inexpensive $1.00 ballistic nylon folder knife sheath attached to my belt which I find much more useful and comfortable than carrying my EDC Gayle Bradley in my pocket fighting with keys, coins, etc. I like the ballistic nylon more than leather sheaths because they are not subject to water damage, sweat.

I carry my leatherman in the same sort of ballistic nylon sheath.

http://www.stores.desertwholesalers.com/categories/leather-and-nylon-knife-sheaths.html
 
Last edited:
BK14 said:
I carry a handkerchief in my right pocket, and the knife sits vertically at the back seem right like it’s supposed to. The pockets on my Wranglers aren’t too baggy, so the knife doesn’t have much room to slide past the hankie. Works like a charm, and then I also have a handkerchief! Consider a pocket sheath that fills your whole pocket.
Click to expand...

I do something similar by folding my hank up into a pseudo-sheath which holds my knife upright in the pocket but still makes it easy to remove and replace as needed.
 
Cyrano said:
I find having a knife lay horizontally at the bottom of my pocket to be uncomfortable and inconvenient. I have some lovely knives which I rarely carry because they lack a pocket clip.

For knives which have a lanyard hole, I've used a short length of paracord to tether them to an off-the-shelf pocket clip like this one:

i-D6MdSZV-S.jpg


This solution (paracord + clip) is OK for transportation, as the knife carries vertically along the edge of the pocket. However, this solution has drawbacks:
  • Getting the knife out of the pocket is somewhat inconvenient, as the pocket clip must be removed from the pocket.
  • When the knife is in use, the pocket clip dangles off the end of the knife's handle.
  • This solution works only for smaller knives. Larger knives have the lanyard hole too high in the pocket to make the combined length of (knife + clip) fit comfortably inside the pocket.
  • This solution works only for knives with lanyard holes.
My latest solution addresses these shortcomings. This solution combines the pocket clip with expandable nylon netting and a quick-disconnect paracord buckle, as shown here with a higonokami knife:

i-dBDmKgk-L.jpg


One end of the nylon netting is fused closed with a hot knife. At its other end, one part of the quick-disconnect buckle is attached using hot-melt glue.

The other part of the quick-disconnect buckle is attached to the pocket clip, also using hot-melt glue:


i-PBbkrF8-L.jpg


The result is a thin, lightweight, and form-fitting sheath which can be easily connected/disconnected from the pocket clip:

i-grBTvbd-L.jpg


i-XdJ2WmP-L.jpg


My initial evaluation of this solution is positive:
  • The knife carries well, in a good vertical position along the edge of the pocket.
  • The sheath adds very little to the dimensions of the knife.
  • Getting the knife out of the pocket is convenient. The end of the knife extends past the top of the sheath, making it easy to grasp the knife and withdraw the knife from the sheath. The sheath and clip remain in the pocket.
  • When the knife is in use, there is nothing attached to the knife.
  • This solution should work for both small and large knives.
  • In addition to allowing the use of a pocket clip, the netting provides protection for the knife while in the pocket. The netting can also be left on the knife to provide protection when the knife is not in use.
  • Only one pocket clip is needed, with each knife having its own inexpensive bespoke sheath:

    i-43MJgg2-XL.jpg
Durability of this system remains to be determined.
Click to expand...
This is a great idea
 
I have made a leather pocket sheath that hangs in my pocket from a cord loop attached to belt or belt tab. It could be a safety cord for wallet or key, there's nothing of the knife showing. I sometimes carry a small fixed blade same way.
 
That's a pretty neat idea. I've been using the clip slips from collector knives for a while and really like it. I haven't tried the buckaroo sheath thing that horsewright shows above but I have used a similar type system for small fixed blades for IWB carry or to drop in the pocket. I often just use the neck knife necklace and wrap that around the belt.

The small slip belt sheaths are also pretty fun to carry and they don't show as much as a larger, boxier looking sheaths. I carry my 2017 forum knife in this sheath.

CAML50148-1-300x225.jpg

photo from collectorknives.net
 
Horsewright said:
Often called a buckaroo pouch or a folding knife pouch. Attaches to your belt loop and drops into your pocket.

f2T6618.jpg
Click to expand...
I was just about to mention this. I have been using one for a bit, Measure the string out right and it hangs vertically in pocket and it protects the knife from other stuff in the pocket.
 
Horsewright said:
Often called a buckaroo pouch or a folding knife pouch. Attaches to your belt loop and drops into your pocket.

f2T6618.jpg
Click to expand...

Ive thought about this sheath type for a small fixed blade when camping/hiking.

A bit like sash carry, which Ive used on occasion.

Draw knife and sheath is arrested by cord/leather length.
 
Cyrano said:
My latest solution addresses these shortcomings. This solution combines the pocket clip with expandable nylon netting and a quick-disconnect paracord buckle, as shown here with a higonokami knife:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great idea. I was using your original solution, but your improvements look great and I will be trying shortly.
 
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