Am I the only one who doesn't use pocket clips?

Do you use a pocket clip?

  • Yes

    Votes: 54 55.1%

  • No

    Votes: 20 20.4%

  • Sometimes

    Votes: 24 24.5%
  • Total voters
    98
N

not so dull

Joined
Jan 4, 2023
Messages
433
Am I the only one who doesn't use pocket clips?

I tried but it doesn't seem to provide any convenience. When I need to pull it out I can grab it with my fingers only, while I can use the whole palm if it is unclipped in my pocket.
If it is a wave opener it is even more inconvenient to use the fingers only as opposed to the whole hand.

Is it a bad habit? Should I change it?
 
I rarely use them since they seem like more of a hassle than anything (especially if the clip is poorly designed), and usually I have enough stuff in my pocket that a knife will stay put in the narrow free space.

Also, Los Angeles has a weird quirk to its local knife laws that limits blade length to 3 inches for open carry only, so the clip can't be visible if you're carrying something bigger.
 
I do use them, but poorly designed ones can be an annoyance. I really don’t understand the fascination with deep carry clips, they just make it harder to get in and out of your pocket and I really don’t care if there is a little bit of knife sticking out of my pocket. It actually makes it easier to grab the knife and get it out.
 
I always use them, and I prefer deep carry clips. All of the knives I carry have a small lanyard so they’re easy to pull out. Clip carry keep my knives from banging into my phone or ending up sideways at the bottom of my pocket where they are hard to get to sometimes at work.

BaOmvXg.jpeg
 
They have been the standard way to carry a pocket knife pretty much my entire adult life, so yeah, I use them just fine.
I find them so ubiquetous that I kind of expect them on any pocket knife that is not a traditional slipjoints or a model that is known not to have a clip (like the 110).
 
I never mix a knife with anything else in my pocket, I carry it in my right pocket and my phone is in my left (I'm a righty).
 
I don’t love or hate them. But mostly I do no carry clipped knives. But, being around cars, and building, painting, driving etc them, I generally don’t carry a clipper knife. Pocket clips are HELL on paint, seat material and steering wheels. I use a clipper knife when working on unfinished stuff sometimes. But if there’s a painted car around, or I’m working on finished parts, no clips. I won’t invite someone into my shop with a clip (or even a big belt buckle) and often won’t offer a ride to someone with one. Or, you’ll get asked to put it away or reminded to “watch that buckle/clip/holster/whatever”
 
I have gone back and forth on this issue. When I am working on stuff and wearing gloves, or if my hands are greasy or dirty, then I like having a clip knife because I can get to it to make a cut without having to jam oily greasy hands in my pocket to dig around looking for my blade. But otherwise I really don't like them. One reason is I find they create hotspots when really gripping hard and making hard cuts. Some are worse than others, but most any knife is more comfortable in the hand without it. The other reason is I have had the clip hang on stuff pulling the knife from my pocket putting me at danger of losing my blade. The alternative is having a really strong retention clip, which is annoying in itself. I guess your mileage may vary, depends on how they will be used/ carried and personal preference. I have also heard auto mechanics say they do not like knives with pocket clips because they scratch vehicles while trying to work on them.
 
As a mechanic I use them because I may not always be in a comfortable position. I may not always be able to see my knife. I may be holding something with my other hand that is using most of my concentration and energy. It's nice to know where my knife is and how it's oriented. I don't want to waste time or energy on doing what I need to do with it.
 
I almost always carry traditional pocketknives with no clips but sometimes I carry a modern knife clipped to my pocket so I said sometimes. I dont think they are that great. They catch as others have said, and scratch things up. They make it harder to grab your knife since they hide away most of the handle (especially deep carry clips that make you grab the knife with your fingertips, so then you need a lanyard that is even more visible than your knife sticking slightly out of pocket. Still dont understand the deep carry clip thing...lol). I dont take them off of knives though (even though they make the handle uncomfortable) since it is easy for them to open up when loose in a pocket.

I really dont care for them, way overrated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top