Am I the only one who hates pocket clips?

rogatsby

rogatsby

Joined
Jun 19, 2018
Messages
321
I've just started getting into pocket knives, and I have started off slow and cheap, with a Gerber, Kershaw, and Ka-Bar Folding Hunters (regular and mini).

I especially love the Doziers, as they are amazingly light, great for everyday use and just incredibly useful and durable.

The only problem I've had with all of these is the pocket clip. I get the concept, of course, because clips will presumably add to quicker deployment and secure retention (at least for some clips). The Dozier clips were fine for these aspects, as they are tight, firm, and secure.

But as I've used them, I have really started to hate pocket clips in general. They tend to dig into your hand, get caught on things, and generally feel like a weird growth on an otherwise great knife. I've borrowed some other knives, including some Spydercos from friends, and I get the same feeling with any pocket clip I encounter - even those who many praise as being well designed.

But every review of any folding knife I ever see or read always goes into great detail about the pocket clip, as if it were such an integral part of the knife and cannot be done without.

So I decided to take the clips off my Doziers, and wow, I enjoy them even more. In fact, I took the clips off of all of my knives, and they all seem better in the hand with very little inconvenience from just throwing the knife into my pocket.

Another thing with clips is that they seem to advertise the fact that you are carrying a knife.

Does anyone else hate pocket clips and remove them, or does everyone love and obsess over them as virtually every folding knife review suggests? In fact, I have seen reviews where people criticize the design or quality of the pocket clip, but never one where they actually state they remove the clip altogether. It's almost as if pocket clips are viewed as de rigueur, when in my experience they seem rather superfluous and cumbersome.

Thanks for any input.
 
I hate them. But then I've been a lifelong traditional pocket knife person. Just used to the pocketknife being down there at the bottom of the pocket not up top getting in the way everytime I reach into the pocket for something. And then getting snagged on seat belts, low branches in the woods, and scarring up a car fender while leaning in the engine compartment. I have zero use for pocket clips on a knife. If I want to cut something, I'll just reach down in my pocket and get my knife.

But then, I have little use for single blade folding knives. I like multiple blades on pocket knives.
 
Do what makes you happy, the diversity of choice is a beautiful thing. Me, pocket clip on a modern folder is a must. Spyderco hourglass, Emerson, and Benchmade split arrow are my favorites. I have a David Lynch low ride clip in case I want to carry subdued.
 
If I want to carry clipless, I carry a traditional. A well-designed, comfortable-for-me pocket clip is a practical convenience and an integral part of my enjoyment of modern folders.
 
MSchott said:
I dislike having to fish through my pocket to find my knife as I keep them in the pocket as my keys. Some of your points have degrees of truth but the convenience is worth it.
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This, essentially. I can deal with not having a pocket clip on small traditionals, but because I tend to carry knives Sebenza length, when they inevitably rotate in my pocket if left loose, they become very uncomfortable.
 
MSchott said:
I dislike having to fish through my pocket to find my knife as I keep them in the pocket as my keys. Some of your points have degrees of truth but the convenience is worth it.
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When I carry a knife, usually the knife is the only thing in that one pocket. My phone goes in the other pocket, and my wallet is in my back pocket. Keys are generally non-existent for me personally, because everything is done through electronic keypads, fingerprint recognition, or cards (which are in my wallet).
 
For me it depends on the knife and depends on what I'll be doing ... I don't like a loose knife sliding around in my pocket so if its a traditional or a clipless knife they go in a leather carry pouch in my pocket so they stay put standing up ...

but I like the clips on work knives or a secondary carry with a fixed blade for small chores.
 
I'm too well trained at this point to go without it. If I need to cut something I instinctively reach for the knife clipped to my right, rear pocket.

Some knives with some clips are more comfortable than others. I like benchmade for this. Their clips are almost entirely swappable between models and they'll happily send you replacements for a broken one or one you just done like.

Every now and then I'll come across a knife that I just cant find a comfortable combination for. The g10 manix 2 comes to mind. Those knives get sold.

Of course it all depends on your hand too. What's comfortable for one might be a hot spot for someone else.
 
There’s no getting around how practical and accessible it is while still comfortable to carry. It’s unbeatable if you use the knife often and want to carry it all the time. The only real drawback is that you need to be aware of it, so the clip doesn’t snag on clothes.
 
But as I've used them, I have really started to hate pocket clips in general. They tend to dig into your hand, get caught on things, and generally feel like a weird growth on an otherwise great knife. I've borrowed some other knives, including some Spydercos from friends, and I get the same feeling with any pocket clip I encounter - even those who many praise as being well designed.
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Some of my favorite knives I have remove the clips on. Some times I put them back because the knife was more usable WITH THE CLIP even though I might be carrying the knife in a belt pouch. This is true for my Griptillian (Ritter M390; one of my first enduring love affairs). The clip helps with holding the knife right to use the axis lock.
But
One of my even more loverly, long term, can't live without it EDC monsters-bigtime-gotta-have-its . . . my thinly ground Cold Steel Ti Lite IV . . . the clip is just plain IN THE WAY and I always carry those clip less as I do my most recently purchased Spyderco Pattada.

Which brings me to where I draw the line, some times . . . I like fat handled folders. FHFs take up too much pocket space anyway so they go in the belt pouch making the usefulness of the clip questionable.

But every review of any folding knife I ever see or read always goes into great detail about the pocket clip, as if it were such an integral part of the knife and cannot be done without.
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That may be because many clips are a PITA . . . errrr . . . I mean . . . pain in the hand . . . and a good one in the right place at the right time is kind of an anomaly.

For instance I EDC and use the heck out of the Spyderco Para2 and if the clip is on the tip end (tip up carry) we get along famously. It is a really good clip with the right amount of grip but not too stiff or short. Put it on the pivot end and it's in the way.

I dislike having to fish through my pocket to find my knife as I keep them in the pocket as my keys.
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:)
You just need a bigger knife; try the Cold Steel Holdout One.:D One end reaches to the bottom of your pocket, the other end rides right about the opening of said pocket . . . slices huge cinnamon rolls in one stroke . . . what's not to like ?
Put the clip, off of it, on the little Holdout III that's where it is desperately needed. That's what I actually did.
(nah . . . both knives are thinner and more pocket friendly than you might think.)
IMG_3454.jpg

Little Holdout III with the clip off the Holdout I
Heaven in a small package.
IMG_3386.jpg
 
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T.L.E. Sharp said:
I'm too well trained at this point to go without it. If I need to cut something I instinctively reach for the knife clipped to my right, rear pocket.

Some knives with some clips are more comfortable than others. I like benchmade for this. Their clips are almost entirely swappable between models and they'll happily send you replacements for a broken one or one you just done like.

Every now and then I'll come across a knife that I just cant find a comfortable combination for. The g10 manix 2 comes to mind. Those knives get sold.

Of course it all depends on your hand too. What's comfortable for one might be a hot spot for someone else.
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Those are good points and I understand your viewpoint based on your experience. The problem I have is that no matter how well designed the clip is, it seems that 99% of the time the knife was designed with the ergonomics of the handle in mind, and then out of some feeling of "necessity," they slap a clip on one side. And it's true that some clips seem to have been better thought out than others, but they all seem to be just an add-on to the intended handle ergonomics on one side.

Also, like I said, they seem to get caught on things regardless of the price/quality of the knives. They bump into chairs, brush against objects, scratch things, etc. Further, using pocket clips damages my pants, especially if the clip is tight and secure. Some clips are less tight and secure and are easier on the pants, but then that causes the knife to fall out sometimes.

But my biggest gripe is the change in ergonomics and comfort. It's like designing something to be held comfortably in the hand based on the contours and shape of the handle, and then slapping a protruding metal bar on one side completely changing the feel and grip.
 
Pocket knife clips are are one of the best improvements in the history of folders. Look at how universal they are. Kudos to Sal Glesser.

And since I carry my folder IWB, I have to have a clip.
 
rogatsby said:
Those are good points and I understand your viewpoint based on your experience. The problem I have is that no matter how well designed the clip is, it seems that 99% of the time the knife was designed with the ergonomics of the handle in mind, and then out of some feeling of "necessity," they slap a clip on one side. And it's true that some clips seem to have been better thought out than others, but they all seem to be just an add-on to the intended handle ergonomics on one side.

Also, like I said, they seem to get caught on things regardless of the price/quality of the knives. They bump into chairs, brush against objects, scratch things, etc. Further, using pocket clips damages my pants, especially if the clip is tight and secure. Some clips are less tight and secure and are easier on the pants, but then that causes the knife to fall out sometimes.

But my biggest gripe is the change in ergonomics and comfort. It's like designing something to be held comfortably in the hand based on the contours and shape of the handle, and then slapping a protruding metal bar on one side completely changing the feel and grip.
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Have you tried swapping the clip to the other side? It takes just a tiny bit of extra movement to then flip the knife over after removing it from your pocket, but then the clip is on the same side as your fingertips rather than digging into your palm.

If you do this with a couple knives the little bit of rotation needed to orient the knife in your hand becomes second nature.
 
I agree with those that find a pocket clip very handy. However, I have also found them to be a nuisance since they have a tendency to snag on things at work in tight areas.
 
I definitely don't prefer them these days, one handed opening with clips were all I carried but I was freed when I realized I did not need them.
A small slipjoint is more than enough so that's what I carry most often , and I carry them loose in pocket.
I've only got a few that fall out which is only when laying on the couch with the pooch climbing all over me, and I have no problem reaching down into the bottom of my pocket to get my knife out.

My Victorinox tinker has a little homemade suspension clip on it because it's the awkward size for my pockets, but in genral I don't often do clips and would definitely prefer a belt sheath.

I wanted a change of pace so I put a KA-BAR Dozier mini in my pocket for the weekend and I have to say I like the knife itself, but its clip sure as hell doesn't like most of my shorts pockets.
Its really tight and the agressively textuted FRN feels like it's tearing my pockets up on the way out.

Regular pocket clips can get uncomfortable in hand if you really think about it, but with the right knife you don't really notice it.

Pocket clips have their place, but I sure won't he putting any on my slipjoints or any knife without one for that matter.
 
rogatsby said:
It's almost as if pocket clips are viewed as de rigueur, when in my experience they seem rather superfluous and cumbersome.
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These are some of my very favorite EDCs, handle wise, FHFs . . . nary a clip to be seen . . .
oh wait . . . that clip on the Pattada is no longer there.
there is that damed belt pouch lurking in the wings though. Maybe I'll get an implanted hatch put in my forearm. Yeah . . . that's the ticket. Something with a spring assisted eject !
Sproying !
IMG_5252.jpg
There . . .
that's better :thumbsup: :cool:
Removing the clip off the Pattada really did move the knife from a vaguely disappointing "almost perfect but something about this knife isn't right FOR ME"
to
"Oh yeah Baby I love this knife !"
IMG_5257.JPG
 
I like clips, the ability to access the knife when I need it is worth any downfalls. I'm a tradesman, so being able to grab a knife from my pocket in awkward positions is handy.
 
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