All scratched up in the pocket

bush-haus

bush-haus

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Do you mind your knives getting scratched up in the pocket (bolsters, blades, etc.) while thrashed around with keys, carry your knife in a different pocket, or have a leather pouch for it?

I have read that some put it in the back pocket, but I would not like that. I am getting into GEC's and the l
 
Do you mind your knives getting scratched up in the pocket (bolsters, blades, etc.) while thrashed around with keys, carry your knife in a different pocket, or have a leather pouch for it?

I have read that some put it in the back pocket, but I would not like that. I am getting into GEC's and the like and don't want to completely scratch it up but I run into an issue where I normally have my knife and keys in my right pocket.

If you have nifty leather slips I would love to see them!
 
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My RFP is "dedicated" as my knife pocket. Nothing else rides with it. For me this works just fine. Whether it does for you or others may vary.

Depending on the size of the knife and type of pants you're wearing, the "watch pocket" can be an option. Be careful of this though as some experience issues with it falling out. I never have, but the type of pants you wear, how they fit, etc will be the factor here.

A leather pocket slip is a way to keep it from getting thrashed in the pocket.
 
if im in my scrubs, itll go in my scrubs left pants pocket, or the days i have my newer scrubs, the shirt pocket. on my off days, itll go in the watch pocket, replacing my zippo. but yes i do mind. i have ocd, and it extends to my knives
 
arizonaranchman said:
My RFP is "dedicated" as my knife pocket. Nothing else rides with it. For me this works just fine. Whether it does for you or others may vary.

Depending on the size of the knife and type of pants you're wearing, the "watch pocket" can be an option. Be careful of this though as some experience issues with it falling out. I never have, but the type of pants you wear, how they fit, etc will be the factor here.

A leather pocket slip is a way to keep it from getting thrashed in the pocket.
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My left front pocket stores my cell phone and my right front pocket stores my keys and knife. I'm afraid of putting my knife in the watch pocket because I have never put anything in there and fear forgetting it. A leather pouch may be the best option for me.
 
I keep my pocket free of other items when I am carrying my nice traditionals -

My trusty Vic waiter? Well, it can fight it out and has never complained.

best

mqqn
 
Nope. It's a knife, made of durable materials like steel and stag. A few dings and superficial scratches won't hurt it any.
 
Depends on the knife.

I grew up using knives with Delrin covers. Dropped them in a pocket with my keys without a second thought. I have some Delrin covered knives today and I still do that with them.

But these days a lot of my knives have fancy bone or wood covers. Those that do go into a pocket by themselves.
 
They go in the right front pocket with the keys. The first scratch is an eyesore. The second and third scratches are annoying. After a while, all the scratches even out the look and all is fine.
 
I put my traditional in a pocket by themselves and/or encased in a leather slip. I don't have any pictures handy, but I use the one that came free from knivesshipfree with my northwoods purchases:)
 
My keys are hooked to my belt and dangled into my right back pocket, and my knife rides in my right front pocket with my wallet and chapstick. I hate carrying keys in my pocket, and I don't like carrying a knife with keys, so this solves both problems for me.
 
I usually use a simple leather slip. Some with belt clip for option in case pocket gets bulky. But most without. Here's one I made.

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This one came with knife. Has a light clip on back.

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Another pic of my own.

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Or you could get creative and make one out of a kangaroo scrotum. [emoji1]

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I think a slip helps spread out the weight in pocket, and makes it ride better in pocket by helping stay upright.
 
Most of the knives I own I buy to use scratches add character I think. Just my 2 cents.
 
I carry my slip joints in my back left pocket in a slip. I dont notice the knife in my pocket if it is in a slip.
 
I want to share a puukko that my friend made.



This picture was taken a few years later.



As you can see, the knife has endured some bumps and bruises along the way. The bolster has picked up a few dings. The handle has become stained. Not even the sheath was spared by the ravages of time, having been exposed to some sort of adhesive in his shop. But judging from the amount of blade loss, these cosmetic imperfections have not affected the knife's utility any.

Use your knife. How else will they acquire the marks of beausage?
 
kamagong said:
Nope. It's a knife, made of durable materials like steel and stag. A few dings and superficial scratches won't hurt it any.
Click to expand...

Mora2013 said:
They go in the right front pocket with the keys. The first scratch is an eyesore. The second and third scratches are annoying. After a while, all the scratches even out the look and all is fine.
Click to expand...

Put me in with these guys. Between my phone, keys, knife, wallet and usually a pen, I don't have enough pockets to dedicate one just for my knife. My phone gets its own because it's significantly less durable than a knife, and I don't think keys, a knife or a pen would work out very well in a back pocket, so those all go in the front right, then the wallet goes into my back right. Oh, and a handkerchief in the back left.

Whether it's a cheap Rough Rider, an Opinel, a Case, or a GEC with beautiful bone or stag handles, it's a tool that's built for use. Same as the patina on the blade, I think the nicks and dings and scratches on the outside give it character. And when it comes to scratches on bolsters, I think Mora2013 is right, after a while you stop seeing the individual scratches and they all come together to give it a nice well-used look. It's the same as the way you get a "patina" on platinum; enough tiny scratches and what used to be shiny turns into a warm, dull, white-ish metallic finish that I personally love the look of.
 
Except for one expensive and beautiful handmade slipjoint I have I don't worry about scratches so much. But recently I noticed how badly I've been plagued by pocket lint issues. The lint nestles in at the joint and then when you open the knife it gets shepherded into the mechanism -- gets under the spring even. I've had several knives that the snap was getting mushy and I had to painstakenly dig old lint out. I've considered using a slip to prevent this but I like the efficiency of just pulling the knife out of the pocket to use it. So instead, I've started delinting my pockets whenever I put on a fresh pair of pants. I turn the pocket inside out and pick it clean. Amazing how much lint gets in there!
 
Most of time the knife stands alone in my pocket and a few have a slip to protect them. But I use all my knives, a way or another, so if a scratch or a ding happens, this won't be the end of the world. The best exemple being the ancient barlow, she looks used even new and still a winner!
 
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