Another reason to carry traditional knives

r redden

r redden

Joined
May 23, 2015
Messages
4,161
I have a display case with 60 or 70 knives in it on an end table in my living room that I grab a knife out of every day to carry. So this morning on a whim I grabbed a Ka-Bar folder with pocket clip and a lanyard and clipped it in my front pocket. This afternoon while sitting in line at the high school to pick up my granddaughters I went to stick my cell phone in the same pocket and the knife opens inside the pocket and sliced the tops off of three knuckles on my right hand. This would have never happened with a Barlow, Stockman, Trapper or such. I am now thinking very seriously about getting rid of the rest of my modern folders. After all if it can't be done with a traditional knife or fixed blade it can't be done.
 
Okay, I have to admit something here. I tried a modern knife. No, hang on, I didn't buy it, someone who didn't know my as well as they thought, gifted it to me. So, not to hurt their feelings I tried to carry it. I stuck it in my pocket and as long as they stayed with us, I carried it. There it was, clipped to my right front pocket.

Giant PITA!!!!

I don't know how people do it, but that d--m thing got in the way every time I had to stick something in the pocket or get something out of the pocket. Why, WHY do they like a knife stuck with some metal clip right at the top opening of the pocket???

Soon as the guest flew out, I chucked the modern clipped folder and didn't touch it again until I gave it away. To me, nothing beats the convenience of a traditional pocket knife way down at the bottom of the pocket out of the way and out of mind until it's needed.
 
It depends on how you use your pockets, I guess. Most people I know don't keep much at all in their pockets and can sacrifice one pocket for a knife. If you don't have anything else to compete with, having the knife clipped to the top of the pocket is rather convenient.

I don't carry any knives with pocket clips, though. I agree that anything that needs cutting can be cut with a slipjoint just fine, and there's something ineffable about them I just don't get from modern folders.
 
My pockets are all in use, so I also find a knife clipped to the top of my pocket to be annoying as it's in the way when I thrust my hand into that pocket to retrieve something. I can't recall fishing my Barlow or Stockman out of my pocket being problematic in it's deployment.
 
I've never had a problem reaching into my right front pocket with my modern folder clipped there; and, for the most part, until recently, that knife would more likely be called a brick than unobtrusive. It's just a matter of what one is used to doing. I find wrist watches to be awkward and annoying, now, because I stopped wearing them 15-20 yrs ago.

My traditionals ride in my left front pocket, because I don't generally carry anything else there.




*Edited to add: if your knife opened in your pocket, you were doing it wrong ;). Carry tip up, with the blade against the seam, and that can't happen.
 
Last edited:
hhmoore said:
*Edited to add: if your knife opened in your pocket, you were doing it wrong ;). Carry tip up, with the blade against the seam, and that can't happen.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's how I carry my Kabar Dozier.

As others have said though, it's down to preference. When I carry a pocket knife, it's always in the right front pocket. Some are clipped, some just ride in the pocket. In regular jeans or a suit (edc), I definitely prefer traditional knives. However, when I go for a hike or something, I find it a bit obtrusive that clipless knives are everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I rather have everything neatly in its place, which I personally think just feels better for prolongued walking.
 
Ouch, I guess it could have been worse. I wouldn't abandon modern folders altogether, they do have their place. I let my mini-Grip do all the dirty hard-day's work, and my traditional does the regular chores. It creates a nice balance.
 
Ditto "hhmoore" === as I have never had a problem with my Delica or any of my 25's being carried this way and they all come out faster than a S-Blade and it is hard to beat if you need a Knife real fast.! But then again everybody has there own opinion and that is what counts ~~ as there is no wrong way or best way for everybody in the long run.!***
 
Even though I'm right-handed I carry my knives in my front left pocket. The only other item I carry in the LF pocket is cash, which I use almost solely for tipping waitstaff when I go out to eat. So those knives, be they traditional or modern, are at most in the way once per day.

As a general rule I carry modern folders at work and traditionals when I'm off duty.
 
I admit I switch back and forth. When wearing jeans, it's a case cv stockman, ford blue bone stockman, ichthus mini trapper or Davison. When I wear certain shorts or my gym pants, it's usually a clipped folder, normally a small or large sebenza, because non clipped tend to slide out of the pockets. However, I do admit lately, that I've been carrying a mnandi cocobolo. It is a nice blend of old and new. Small enough with the clip to drop into pocket and can be clipped to the pants that the traditionals seem to find their way sliding out of, yet still satisfy my desire for a wood finish gentlemanly stylish instead of tacticool.

Guess my point (and thought) is there are times that I find it useful. Your mileage may vary.
 
hhmoore said:
I've never had a problem reaching into my right front pocket with my modern folder clipped there; and, for the most part, until recently, that knife would more likely be called a brick than unobtrusive. It's just a matter of what one is used to doing. I find wrist watches to be awkward and annoying, now, because I stopped wearing them 15-20 yrs ago.

My traditionals ride in my left front pocket, because I don't generally carry anything else there.




*Edited to add: if your knife opened in your pocket, you were doing it wrong ;). Carry tip up, with the blade against the seam, and that can't happen.
Click to expand...

I never had a problem for years carrying a clipped folder in my front pocket until yesterday. There are people everyday that are used to driving cars, trucks, motorcycles whatever that will be killed in/on them. There are cooks and chefs used to stoves that will burn themselves today and so on. IMO being used to something is not a guarantee nothing will happen. I'm just saying a traditional carry can reduce the possibility of opening in pocket. If a clipped folder is a preferred carry for you just be aware it could happen at anytime. Be careful I don't want any of you to be cut as bad as I was yesterday. Good luck to all.
By the way this Ka-Bar is a 4062 Dozier which is a tip up carry knife and was against the seam so that theory don't pan out.
 
Last edited:
My not having a problem comment had nothing to do with your story about getting cut - it was in response to jackknife's post:
I don't know how people do it, but that d--m thing got in the way every time I had to stick something in the pocket or get something out of the pocket.
Click to expand...

The only modern knife I ever had open in my pocket was a flipper being carried loose (not clipped). People can carry what they want, any way they want...but clipping a modern with the blade against the seam of the pocket virtually eliminates the possibility of it opening. (The only way it can open is if it moves away from the seam).
 
jackknife said:
Okay, I have to admit something here. I tried a modern knife. No, hang on, I didn't buy it, someone who didn't know my as well as they thought, gifted it to me. So, not to hurt their feelings I tried to carry it. I stuck it in my pocket and as long as they stayed with us, I carried it. There it was, clipped to my right front pocket.

Giant PITA!!!!

I don't know how people do it, but that d--m thing got in the way every time I had to stick something in the pocket or get something out of the pocket. Why, WHY do they like a knife stuck with some metal clip right at the top opening of the pocket???

Soon as the guest flew out, I chucked the modern clipped folder and didn't touch it again until I gave it away. To me, nothing beats the convenience of a traditional pocket knife way down at the bottom of the pocket out of the way and out of mind until it's needed.
Click to expand...
And then, of course, there's the notion that one of the big advantages of a folder, modern or traditional, is that it can be carried in a concealed fashion. That advantage is neutralized the moment you stick a knife in your pocket and leave the clip exposed for all to see. Like people won't know that you're carrying a knife if they see the clip? :rolleyes: And then of course there's the danger of having the clip snag on something and pull the knife out of your pocket unbeknownst to you. Our pages are replete with many such instances.

I've always thought that the only people who should use clips are those who would be willing to turn their folders around and clip them to the OUTSIDE of their pockets. That would make about as much sense to me.
 
Last edited:
Just because a knife has a clip doesn't mean you have to use it. I will often let a modern folder ride in the bottom of my pocket if the cut of my pants or the shape of the knife makes it annoying to use the clip. Of course, you can always remove the clip.

I carry any knife because it is useful. I often find it useful to have a knife I can open with one hand. If I carry a traditional, it is because it also appeals to me as an objet. Actually, that has to be true of any knife I carry. Otherwise, I would just carry a box-cutter.
 
Henry Beige said:
Of course, you can always remove the clip.
Click to expand...

Not always, but most of the time you can. And I agree that you can carry a knife that has a clip unclipped and deep in your pocket. Problem is, the knife tends to move around and eventually, the clip orients itself in such a way that it starts digging into my thigh. Add to that the fact that I've never held a folder in my bare hand that felt better with the clip on than with the clip off and there's no such thing for me as a pocket clip that isn't a PITA.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top