Are clips necessary

philwar said:
I think the addition of the carry clip is singlehandedly responsible for the revival of the folding knife.
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Well it certainly is responsible for the explosive growth of the 'tactical' folding knife. Almost by definition a folder has to have a clip to be 'tactical'.

I, personally, refer to them as Sport Utility Knives, but that's another thread. I want a clip on everything except traditional slipjoints and SAKs. The advent of the pocket clip was one of the reasons I'm into knives today.
 
A clip is very useful on a hot day when I don’t wear a jacket. I find a knife that is buried deep in the pocket of my jeans uncomfortable. Also, it’s difficult to get the knife out of my pocket without a clip.

For everyday tasks, a clip is even more important for me, than the possibility to open my knife with one hand.
 
Hi rkhndjr -

In the 1970's, there really was no knives that had clips, at least any of which I was aware.

In those days, most of "us knife guys" carried a Buck Folding Hunter or a Buck Ranger (models 110 and 112) in a leather bealt sheath.

I, personally, really like the ability to carry a larger folding knife in my pocket, yet have it securely positioned for easy access with a pocket clip.

It is obvious that the majority of users like pocket clips, since they have been supplied on almost all of the modern folding knife designs. There must me something to the idea.

best regards -

mqqn
 
Another Spyderco innovation that once out, was considered too 'commonsensical' so other knife makers just copied it without license or payment.
 
elkins45 said:
Well it certainly is responsible for the explosive growth of the 'tactical' folding knife. Almost by definition a folder has to have a clip to be 'tactical'.
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Yep, but not every knife with a clip is tactical. Before the advent of the clip, you were either gonna wear it at the bottom of a pocket or in a sheath. Both are a nuisance. I carried a Kershaw 1050 for a long time in its leather sheath, and it's a hassle.

Pocket clips are the bee's knees. Plain and simple. Everyone can carry a 3 ounce folder, never lose it, always know where it is and it's not in the way. Such a simple thing, so effective.
 
I very much prefer clips. There are times that I like a clipless knife, and I have a knife for times like that.
 
After all the fine info here I am definitely sold on using the clip. I had entertained removing it but no longer. The logic is solid. Thanks so much to all.
 
No clip no purchase. I have a sak and I don't carry it unless I'm going some place where it may be confiscated or lost, any other time its a deal breaker.
 
the clips are here to stay. admitted they somewhat mar the lines of a folder but the usefulness is overwhealming .usefulness in function & convenience dominate aesthetics in all tools.
 
great thing is, the vast majority of clips can be removed with a screwdriver, hex, or torx key.
 
OrangeJoe said:
Another Spyderco innovation that once out, was considered too 'commonsensical' so other knife makers just copied it without license or payment.
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One did. Cold Steel. I understand they still do unless that has changed.

STR
 
STR said:
One did. Cold Steel. I understand they still do unless that has changed.

STR
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Interesting, but I think any patent on the clip concept will have expired already, as patents are generally good for 17 years only from date of application. Expired patent = no licensing fee.
 
Dorito Monk said:
Carrying a knife in-pocket without a clip can raise legal issues here. My understanding of it is pretty much this: Concealed weapons are verboten, and carrying a knife without a clip leaves no part of the knife exposed, thus making it concealed. After that, it's pretty much the officer's call as to whether or not the knife is a weapon and not a tool. The idea being, a tool is allowed, a weapon is not.

Long story short, with a knife clipped onto your pocket or belt and the clip clearly exposed, the theory is that the knife is not concealed.

In any case, I find them to be a really convenient way of carrying a knife.
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I don't know where you live, but are Swiss Army Knives illegal there because they don't have clips? Is IWB carry with shirt out illegal where you live?
 
I wouldn't think to ever carry a knife with a clip.

I can't stand pocket clips and I take them off all my knives!

They are evil!
 
It appears there were a few companies that followed that path. This picture from The Spyderco Story does not specifically state which companies paid royalties for what IPs but it is interesting.

DSCF1385.jpg
 
Bill1170 said:
Interesting, but I think any patent on the clip concept will have expired already, as patents are generally good for 17 years only from date of application. Expired patent = no licensing fee.
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There never was a patent on it to my knowledge. I think Lynn set it up out of professional courtesy to Sal as I recall. I read of it years ago on the Spyderco forum. You are correct though as to the fee or reason to pay it. Actually if there was a fee involved for the concept/idea of the pocket clip it would go to another gent. I read that in 1907, Victor Ochoa invented the first pencil clip, and since then pen and pencils have managed to both stay in people's possession longer and be more convenient to find due to their use. Today there are plastic and metal clips that come standard on pens and pencils, pocket levels, thermometers, knives, flash lights, cell phones and more all sold all over the world. These all started apparently from the original according to this info. It appears if anyone deserves credit its this guy Victor. Sal did a great thing, don't get me wrong, but it could be argued that the guy that put a clip on pocket levels, flash lights, pocket thermometers and all the other things did also. It was the next step and thats why people were so much in awe about the clip on the pocket knife since it was right in front of them all along. We all carried pens and more in school that way yet never put the idea to the pocket knife until Sal unless someone else did it and we just never knew about it.

STR
 
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they got their start from spyderco. they were the first company to put clips on their knives.

whether i have a clip on my knife is all about how i feel like carrying my knife that day
 
I only buy folders with clips because they make for the most low profile IWB carry. I have a custom IWB leather sheath that will fit most folders, but that's added bulk I'd rather not have to worry about.
 
Bill1170 said:
I don't know where you live, but are Swiss Army Knives illegal there because they don't have clips? Is IWB carry with shirt out illegal where you live?
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I live in Canada. Like I just said, my understanding is that "it's pretty much the officer's call as to whether or not the knife is a weapon and not a tool. The idea being, a tool is allowed, a weapon is not." Therefore if, for some reason, that officer becomes convinced that you intend to use your swiss army knife as a weapon and not merely as a tool, then yeah, you could be in trouble with said officer. Carrying a knife in the waistband (for example, a small fixed blade with sheath clipped to the waistband covered by a shirt) completely concealed would probably get you in trouble, yeah, but it's hard for me to say. It generally comes down to the discretion of whoever notices you're carrying a knife.

I've had police officers notice the exposed pocket clip of my knife, ask to see the knife to make sure it's not a switchblade or other illegal design, ask me why I carry it, and, satisfied with my answer, give it back to me and go about their business. My understanding is that, because of the ambiguous nature of the criminal code, another officer could do the exact same thing, but instead of being satisfied with my answer, they could suspect that I was carrying the knife for nefarious purposes and I would be in trouble.

The written law is really ambiguous - there is no specific law against carrying knives in general (apart from balisongs, switch blades, and a number of other specific designs as outlined in the criminal code), but carrying concealed weapons is considered illegal.

Confusing, ain't it? ;)

Anyway, I hope I answered your question, but I'm starting to go really off-topic here... The short of it is that I like pocket clips because they help me stay on the good side of my local constabulary. :thumbup:
 
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