Clip-o-nomics

[Esav Benyamin]

The Outdoor Edge Impulse had the clip in a groove, lowering its profile nicely, but not interfering with its function gripping a pocket.

 

[MVF]

Another alternative is the William Henry clipcase approach -- the clip attaches to an inside-the-pocket sheath. This leaves the knife clipless, but you still get the faster access associated with a clipped knife. I really like the way it works.

- Mark

Mark,
How do you get that to work? On mine, the clip on the case isn't as strong as the case's grip on the knife so every time I try to draw the knife I get the case with it. Not really a problem if you have both hands free, but if there's a way to make it work right, I'd sure appreciate knowing it!
Thanks, Mike

 

[spyder10]

i think that either a clip or a sheath(read holster for guns) is necessary. I have seen guns that have pocket clips on them, usually .22lr revolvers that fold. in the world of knives and guns beauty comes second to practicality (glocks still suck the big one )

 

[moonwilson]

Hi Vee,

In 1981 a new knife company caled Spyderco invented the use of a pocket clip (among other things) attached to the side of a knife for convenient carry and access.

By 1990, most of the industry had picked up on the pocket clip idea and now it is almost universal in the industry.

Some clips are better than others and some research will be necessary on your part to "catch up".

Hope that helps.

sal

Hi Vee-

FYI, the above post was written by the man who invented the pocket clip.

Pocket clips are here to stay. You can almost always remove them if you decide you don't want one on your knife. The general agreement seems to be that the convenience added by the clip more than offsets any ergonomic issues raised by them. In many cases, the clip does contribute positively to the ergonomics of the handle- in that it allows for additional leverage when using a Spyderhole or thumbstud.

If you don't have a knife with a clip yet, I suggest getting one and trying it out for a while. I bet you'll soon understand why so many people like 'em.

 

[Mark J]

Mark,
How do you get that to work? On mine, the clip on the case isn't as strong as the case's grip on the knife so every time I try to draw the knife I get the case with it. Not really a problem if you have both hands free, but if there's a way to make it work right, I'd sure appreciate knowing it!
Thanks, Mike

OK, dumb question, but you are putting the sheath inside and not outside of your pocket. right? If you are doing it correctly, then it sounds like you need to tighten the clip a bit. Just try bending it so that there is more tension on the clip. Also, with more sheath wear-in, the knife will get easier to slip out of the case. My two cents...

- Mark

 

[JCaswell]

You'll find belt clips (not unlike what's on today's knives, but longer) on pistols going back at least to the mid 16th C.
Funny how useful ideas seem to live forever.

 

[Vee3]

Old FART?! How DARE anyone call me that (Seems like everyone does dare though. I'm used to it by now )

I can see the useful aspects of clips. I have them on a couple of small flashlights to clip onto a ball cap. I have clips on all of my pens too, come to think of it.

On knives? Eh - I can do without clips I think. I like smallish knives if I'm going to carry one on me daily. I have no intent to ever use one for self defense and have no need for longer than a 3" blade. I've recently bought three knives that came with clips - A BM Mini-Griptillian, a BM Vex and a Pro-Tech runt. On the Mini-Grip, I was hoping it would stay closed in the bottom of my my pocket, but found it partially open in there twice. It doesn't have much of a spring to keep it closed. I bought the Vex without the idea of carrying it (Too big and heavy). It will go in with the camping gear to replace an ancient slip-joint, so off came the clip. A clip on the Runt seems illogical for its size - I've been keeping it in the watch pocket of my Levis. I find it a bit too small for everthing I use a knife for though.

Again, I understand the utility of clipped knives for many purposes and I can certainly see why many like them. I still think they feel funny compared to knives without clips (Old farts' ideas die hard). Also, for my workplace and the area where I live, clipped knives are not the norm. Many guys I associate with carry knives, but do not have them clipped to their pocket. I like the style and construction of many of the newer locking folders but I wish some of them were available in scaled-down versions with stronger springs to keep them closed better. Not many I've seen as of yet "float my boat."

I'm going to look at a Native thanks to suggestions from you folks here. It seems like it might work for me...

 

[MVF]

OK, dumb question, but you are putting the sheath inside and not outside of your pocket. right? If you are doing it correctly, then it sounds like you need to tighten the clip a bit. Just try bending it so that there is more tension on the clip. Also, with more sheath wear-in, the knife will get easier to slip out of the case. My two cents...

- Mark

Glad to see you take your Orwell seriously! (First restate the obvious) Yes, I carry the sheath inside. I'll try tightening the clip and wait for it to wear in. Thanks for the tip and the laugh!

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Take a look at the Native III with its wire clip. It is very unobtrusive, and being round wire stock, smoother than the flat metal of most other clips.

 

[Vee3]

Take a look at the Native III with its wire clip. It is very unobtrusive, and being round wire stock, smoother than the flat metal of most other clips.

I saw that one just yesterday and was considering it. Seems like a logical choice for us clip-adverse folks.

How does the Native III compare with the original? I can see that the handle and clip design is different and the blade shape isn't exactly the same, but other than that, any different?

Also, I assume than they do not have liners, right? Full-length liners were one of the reasons I liked the Mini-Griptillian...

 

[Esav Benyamin]

No liners, but the handle is more rounded -- it's also known as the Native 3D. I like all the Natives, but the III the best, mostly for that fuller grip.

I don't need liners. Most all folders feel light in my hand anyway, and the Native is not fragile.

 

[knarfeng]

The Native uses S30V and is made in the US. The Native III uses VG10 and is made in Japan.
Neither has liners.
I frequently EDC a Native III. So far, I have not found the lack of liners to be an issue. There is no blade play of any type and the handle is quite rigid. They use a fairly hefty chunk of FRN. I also have not had any complaints with the steel. Takes a great edge and holds it a fair dinkum time. I have not had problems sharpening it.

You could also consider the Native II if you can still find one. AUS10, made in Japan, Stainless handle. Think I've seen it on the web for the high $50's.

Esav beat me to the draw. I concur on the handle comfort. It's really nice.

 

[mauiblue]

I don't really care for pocket clips because I always think I'm going to lose the knife if it is clipped to my pocket or belt. On all my Sebenzas, I opt to remove the clip and replace it with the optional insert. With the rest of the my folders that have pocket clips, I carry these knives in a belt sheath. I feel a bit more confident that way. Only my smallest folders (and least expensive) I will clip to my back pocket.

 

[Vee3]

Thanks a lot for the info gents.

I'll order an original Native, ditch the clip and see how it works for me. $50 isn't going to break the bank, and my son will be glad to have it if I don't like it for some reason.

Any other suggestions for a small, light, one-handed-openable knife that will stay securely closed in the bottom of a pocket would also be much appreciated...

 

[mnblade]

I am almost always carrying a Spyderco these days (usually augmented with a Leatherman Micra). Sometimes the Spydie is clipped to a pocket, sometimes dropped in pocket, sometimes clipped to a jacket pocket, sometimes dropped into a jacket pocket, sometimes clipped to a cargo pocket, sometimes just dropped into a cargo pocket, sometimes clipped in waist band. Just depends on my mood, which knife it is, and what I'm wearing. For the record: You ARE allowed to take a knife that has a pocket clip and just drop it down into your pocket. Even - GASP! - without first removing the clip from the knife!

Anyway, I've never found the clip to be a hindrance as far as the ergos of cutting with a Spyderco. Ever. To each his own, of course.

 

[cb4life_30]

The slip sheath that William Henry offers is a great idea. I use it for my case mini trapper. Another idea is to customise your jeans pocket by sewing in a "knife pocket". Attatching a lanyard to your knife also seemed to be a way people kept knives from slipping around in the pocket. For jeans I don't mind not having a clip. But for BDU's and other similar pants they are a must.

 

[Blue Sky]

I don't like clips. Every knife I've got with one looks and feels better when the clip is removed, no question. But reality is that I don't take them off because they are just so darned useful. I wish it weren't so, but it is. A fad? No way.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Vee,

As an ole fart (me) that uses clips regularly and has designed quite a few, I would suggest that you purchase A delica4. Use it everyday for a month. If you don't like it, I'll buy it back from you. VG-10 is very good, ZDP-189 is extraordinary (blade steel).

sal

 

[Vee3]

Hi Vee,

As an ole fart (me) that uses clips regularly and has designed quite a few, I would suggest that you purchase A delica4. Use it everyday for a month. If you don't like it, I'll buy it back from you. VG-10 is very good, ZDP-189 is extraordinary (blade steel).

sal

Sal,

I appreciate the offer. I like the fact that the Delica4 uses screws and has liners and bushings. These were the main reasons I bought a BM Mini-Griptillian after handling both it and a Native a while back. I was hoping that the Native III might have these features. Maybe the Native IV will. I like the shape of the Native blade and handle much better than the Delica.

Probably just a bit of "form over function" on my part but I don't like the look of the hump (Absent on the Native) that accomodates the hole on most Spyderco knives. I also like the look of the Manix/Mini Manix for this reason. My friend's Mini Manix is one of the nicest folding knives I've ever handled.

Hopefully there will some day be a "Micro Manix" or some such similarly constructed knife that would be easier to pocket without a clip.

 

[DrFish]

Now this is what I call a subtle clip. I flipped it around to make it look more pen like.

(on a benchmade morpho)