Back pocket ?

R

Rich S

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Sep 23, 2005
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Have been reading about "back pocket" knives for a while. Just what makes a knife a "back pocket" other then where it is carried?
Rich
 
Length. Too long or too heavy for a front pocket or maybe you just like to sit on them.
 
I've tried back pocket carry with a clip and without, found it very uncomfortable when sitting or lying down. Guess I'm a front pocket or belt pouch guy. That was not a troll question btw, really wanted to know if it was a certain design.
Rich
 
If you’re talking about traditional knives then “back pocket” is a specific pattern. Fairly large in size, clip point, often having a lanyard hole, and meant to ride in the back pocket along side a wallet. I have one made by Jim Dunlap, rides in the back nicely.

XunCBj9.jpg
 
I have a Queen Mountain Man which would probably qualify as a back pocket knife. The largest GEC slip joints (>4" closed length) would also qualify by this definition. I consider them a bit on the large size to carry in a front pocket unless that is the only thing inside the pocket.
 
22-rimfire said:
I have a Queen Mountain Man which would probably qualify as a back pocket knife. The largest GEC slip joints (>4" closed length) would also qualify by this definition. I consider them a bit on the large size to carry in a front pocket unless that is the only thing inside the pocket.
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Yep, that’s pretty much it. It’s not an extremely specific pattern, more of a “category”. However, a lot of makers stick to the description I mentioned. Here’s a post from the man himself:

oxL5b2z.jpg
 
My brother in law always carried a larger than normal slip joint (almost Buck 110 size). He is a big guy. To this day, I suspect it is his favorite knife..... I believe he got it years ago from LL Bean. It is a high quality knife.
 
I would go for a non pocket clip knife, it would scratch everything you sit on (especially leather on the car), slip would be my choice and around 3”
 
As others have mentioned, a "Back Pocket" knife is too big and/or heavy to carry in the front pants pocket. (think Buck 110 or 112 size and weight and larger.)
Personally, I prefer a pouch/sheath on the belt to loose carry in my rear pocket.
 
I've been rocking my keys on a lynch clip riding in the vertical space next to my wallet. Cleared my the jangle against my knife in the front pocket and I do t notice my keys now
 
Large folder no clip. Long enough that it doesn’t turn sideways in a back pocket. That’s my take on the term.
 
Rich S said:
Have been reading about "back pocket" knives for a while. Just what makes a knife a "back pocket" other then where it is carried?
Rich
Click to expand...

I assume you are talking about traditional knives such as the "Case back pocket".
Mostly size. They are too large to be carried conveniently in the front pocket and they do not come with a sheath.
 
Shoot... I don't even carry my wallet in my back pocket. They say it's bad for your back and I know it's uncomfortable on my butt.
I appreciate The Aflac Duck The Aflac Duck explaining, I learned another knife thing today that I didn't know :D
The only time I carry a knife in my back pocket is on those 511 cargo pants where the back pocket is huge and slanted to that the knife is more on your side
towards the back and there's no way you can sit on it. I carried a knife back pocket in some blue jeans and it felt like balancing my booty cheek on a glass breaker
which easily could've been the case....:p
 
I think any knife can be carried back pocket and from my experience they are easier to retrieve that way. Also to me they feel pretty unobtrusive back there. But in the back of my mind I'm always worried (unnecessarily, from knowledgeable users) that I'll damage my beauty. I prefer front pocket carry regardless of the knowledgeable users.
 
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Scott Hemleben said:
I think any knife can be carried back pocket and from my experience they are easier to retrieve that way. Also to me they feel pretty unobtrusive back there. But in the back of my mind I'm always worried (unnecessarily, from knowledgeable users) that I'll damage my beauty. I prefer front pocket carry regardless of the knowledgeable users.
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Im not claiming to be a knowledgeable user, but I did trigger a switchblade once by sitting on it and it surly did damage my beauty:confused:
 
Carriers of a "back pocket" traditionally typically (to my understanding) will usually also carry their wallet in the same pocket, with the knife on the outside (closer to the hip rather than the...ah...the crevice), which keeps the knife oriented upright. Often with a lanyard sticking out (most "back pocket" knives I've seen have a lanyard loop) for easier retrieval. If I carried one, I'd have to use a hanky or the microfiber clothes I keep to clean my sunglasses, because I never carried my wallet in my back pocket.

Of course, none of this is new. People have been carrying their Buck 110/112s like that for decades.
 
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