Challenge to Folder Makers/Mfrs

[Lenny]

I've been thinking about how the pocket clip can be improved for the longest time. I guess I'm like Chris Reeve in that I dislike them intensely, but, conversely, I like having the easy access they afford. On the plus side, they allow one to clip the knife in a convenient place so that it's always close at hand. However, the end of the clip gets caught on things like chairs and can pull the knife out of your pocket when rising. Also, no matter how unobtrusively the clip is designed, it always gets in the way when you're holding/using the knife.
So, here's my challenge: Make the clip part of the knife handle itself, instead of an extra screw on piece. It can be made to automatically retract and recess flush into the handle when not needed, but also be easily opened when stowing the knife in your pocket. I realize this seems like one of the biggest technical challenges a knife maker can face. But just think if someone actually designs and mfrs a knife with this type of clip. Would you buy one for the convenience? I would!
If I'm trying to get blood out of a stone, tell me. I'm sure it could be done, but at what price?
Lenny

 

[phatch]

Outdoor Edge has produced two knives with scale height clips. The Impulse and the Magna. Both are very good knives.

I love that style of clip and wish more companies would produce them.

Phil

 

[satin]

I have an Impulse, and I really do like the clip, its one of the most "snag-free" clips I've ever run across on a knife. Tis worth at least a look. And its on a pretty nice knife too.


I wonder, if you had a knife that had, say, Titanium scales, could one cut a clip out of the scale itself, and just bend up the end a little, so when one goes to put it back in their pocket all they do is raise it up with their index finger? WOuld this be possible?
Only thing I can think of that would destract from it, would be that it would be hidiously tight.

 

[Lenny]

Hey Satin,
That's exactly what I had in mind.
It could be laser cut and relieved on the back side, ala the Sebenza lock bar relief.
Ti would lend itself nicely to this application.
It should be strong enough to allow a very thin clip.

Lenny

 

[Architect]

The early Spyderco Standard had a clip that was stamped out of the side of the stainless scale. Because it was stamped, it has rough, sharp edges. Laser cuttting would likely mitigate that problem a bit, but polishing the edges would still be necessary to break the edge, and I don't know how you would do that.

Sal indicated in a post that these "integral" clips had a greater tendency to snap off. Don't know if that would be the same with titanium.

I have pretty much given up on clips for pocket use. I clip IWB (inside the waistband) at the hip or in the small of the back. This technique works well with Spyderco and Benchmade clips. It works less well with Microtech and Masters of Defense knives, as the clips are not well designed (too short and improperly tensioned).

For office use, I got the lightest knife I could find, the WH CF Lancet and it rides in my shirt pocket. I tried the Benchmade Park Avenue, which has the hook on a chain, but when I rotated it with the WH CF, I found the WH to be the superior knife for me.

 

[glockman99]

One of the best ways that I've seen to handle that "pocket-clip problem" is the way it was done with the Imperial Schrade "Switch-It" pocket knife. The clip rotates from side to side (for ambidextrious use), and can rest on top of the spine...Completly out of the way, and also serves to block accidental release of the lockback spring (lock) since it covers the back (spine) of the knife when rotated to the middle position.