Anyone ditch the clip?

I prefer pocket clips for liner and frame lock knives. Although they have detents, once the blade slips past the detent there is nothing to hold the blade shut. By carrying with a pocket clip tip down or, in my case, front right pocket tip up with the spine of the blade right against the back of the pocket, the blade can't open and cut me when I stick my hand in my pocket.

For locks of virtually any other type though, there is a spring force holding the blade closed so I'm fine carrying them without clips. I EDC a clipped Vantage (liner lock) in my front right pocket and rotate out other knives, loose, in my front left based on what I feel like that day (mini-grip, native, buck 112, etc).
 
Personally find them a tad uncomfortable especially those mounted for tip down carry.

However I would rather tolerated the small discomfort than fumble for it in my pocket when I need it in a hurry
 
the only knife ive taken the pocket clip off of ismy kershaw leek. It stuck out way too much in my pocket in tip up configuration. Plus is more comfortable:)
 
Let me lay it down like this...
I use knives. I collect pocket clips. ;)

Basically for all of the reasons that have already been mentioned.
 
You all go ahead and trust your China made pant pockets to carry your expensive knives if you like. I love clips! Clips keep the knives cleaner, cause less lint and grit build up, they make it easier to find the knife and grab it the same way everytime, and combined with making it possible to carry a much bigger knife as comfortably as a 2 ounce folder in the pocket perhaps even less noticed in the pocket than the small slippie I find it hard to not want a pocket clip.

But I may have a 'slight' bias so I'm probably not the one to ask.
STR
 
I love the clip. I started carrying a Delica and an Endura in the days when pagers were still around. So back then most people had no idea the clip on my pocket was in fact a knife. Today however it's a little different.
EVERYONE knows that clip is a knife.

With this in mind I'm starting to experiment with other ways a places to carry my EDC. I've always used alternate carry positions on occasion like hanging my Spyderco around my neck chain but this was the exception when I wanted to be discreet. Now I'm really starting to NOT like the neon sign on me that screams knife. I'm going to try some use of a lanyard and more IWB carry. Stealth is going to become more and more important, IMO.
 
David From NC said:
External pockets SPECIFICALLY for the knife (or the magazine pockets on tactical pants) can alleviate some of these, but along the same lines, I have went to Blackhawk pants almost exclusively for off duty/training/teaching, and they have a piece of cloth or elastic in the right pocket that will keep a knife-even a clipless one-sitting upwards against the side of the pocket, so it's always in the same place and oriented the same way.
Click to expand...

Would anyone care to start a thread on pants with great pockets for folders?

I'd sure buy some.

As to folders I've taken the clips off of, one is the A.G. Russell Acies. I tried to turn the clip around and then couldn't get the screws back in!

I kept the clip off because, without it, the Acies, a fairly large folder, feels more comfortable in my hand.

The Acies fits nicely in a No. 806 Sack-Ups (the old, nicer style with more space inside and thicker material). This protective cotton sack keeps the knife from getting damaged in your pocket when it comes in contact with keys, coins, etc.
 
I have changed from deep pocket clip to hang the lanyard to the inside my belt (the knot and friction worke well), clipless of course. The grip is more balanced and comfortable clipless.
 
flash900 said:
Would anyone care to start a thread on pants with great pockets for folders?

I'd sure buy some.

As to folders I've taken the clips off of, one is the A.G. Russell Acies. I tried to turn the clip around and then couldn't get the screws back in!

I kept the clip off because, without it, the Acies, a fairly large folder, feels more comfortable in my hand.

The Acies fits nicely in a No. 806 Sack-Ups (the old, nicer style with more space inside and thicker material). This protective cotton sack keeps the knife from getting damaged in your pocket when it comes in contact with keys, coins, etc.
Click to expand...

I know you quoted me in your post but I would AGAIN say Blackhawk Warrior Wear Pants. I have 15 pair-10 heavyweight and 5 lightweight. I would NEVER have been able to do this except for two companies which sell on the Internet (I'm on different boards so I can't recall if this one lets you name certain businesses) that have them sometimes on closeout (except they order more later-go figure) and sell them for $19.95. If I had to pay retail ($60) I MIGHT have 1 or 2 pair. At $20, I buy 5 at a time!

I don't even own a pair of blue jeans. I wear these every day off duty or teaching, unless I'm bumming at the house in sweats or wearing shorts in the summer. I also take these off on my taxes since they are required for us by policy when attending training or teaching a class... ;)

I have had 5.11s, Cabela's Trailhead Hikers, and Truspec, and I prefer these over all the rest, for ruggedness, features, and fit. The right pocket has the sub pocket for knives...
 
Am I the only one who finds it super convenient to have my folder clipped on the belt on my hip?

It hides under my shirt, easy to grab and doesn't move a single bit when I'm running around.
 
I like clips as much as the next guy , but I bet pocket carry went on for a hell of a long time before clips came around.

From my own experience I've had way more knife losses/displacements from clips catching on stuff or poor retention , but can't remember the last time a folder fell out of my back or front pocket just stuffed in there without a clip.
 
The only time I clip a knife to my pocket is if I know I'm going to be using it a lot, otherwise I prefer deep-pocket carry. On some folders I find that the clip provides greater grip when opening the knife due to the ridge that the clip creates. But on some folders I find the clip gets in the way of gripping the handle so I take them off.

To keep my folders were I want them down in my pocket I add a row of stiches comming up from the bottom of my pockets, this gives the knife it's own seperate "compartment" and keeps it vertical.

I've been carrying a pocketknife in my pocket for the past 33 years, and I haven't lost a knife yet, either from deep pocket carry or clip carry. However, once at work I was lifting a heavy package wrapped with packing straps. One of the straps caught on the pocket clip of my Bradley Alias and lifted it out of my pocket. It was as slick as a pick-pocket and I never felt a thing. Maybe an hour later I reached down for my knife and was horrified not to find it there (I paid $300 for that knife). I looked around everywhere, then I happened to look in the direction of where I put the package. My knife was dangling from one of the packing straps by the clip. That was a close call, but my "no loss" record remains intact.
 
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