Clip tension- what do you prefer?

kniferbro

kniferbro

Joined
Jan 22, 2011
Messages
3,193
How tight do y'all like to have your clips? Do you like your knife to 'hang' on your pocket with light tension for ease and speed of the draw? Or do you like your clip tight so it keeps it there securely, despite it chewing up your pockets?

I like my clip on the tighter side, I frequently notice things brushing against my leg and snagging on the end of my knife through my pocket and almost lifting it out.
 
Always tight if you are an active person or your couch steals stuff. If the pants or shorts fit well, you use a real belt and the handle isn't completely hidden it all helps withdraw the knife easily.
 
I need a tight clip, otherwise the knife would fall out of my pocket several times daily.
 
The knives I tend to carry would be expensive to replace so I don't mind them being tight. One thing I hate is to reach for my knife and realize it's barely in my pocket.
 
I like mine on the tighter side, just not so tight that it'll chew up my pocket... I lost a good knife because the clip was too loose and didn't realize that it had come out. :( bad combination of awesome knife, light weight and loose clip. The worst part about it is that it's my fault. (Remember this kiddies) I should have gone back to the maker (yes it was a custom purchased here) and asked him to retention the clip.
 
At the table in the kitchen, there were knives. Goldilocks was interested. She tested the clip on the first knife.

"This clip is too tight!" she exclaimed.

So, she tested the clip on the second knife.

"This clip is too loose," she said

So, she tested the clip on the last knife.

"Ahhh, this clip is just right," she said happily as she pocketed it.
 
I usually have a SAK in my pocket or LM Wave on my belt, but...
I prefer the clip to be tight. So I can be sure the knife will be there, and not on the ground somewhere
 
Tight enough to stay clipped to my pocket and not move around, loose enough to slide easily onto my pocket. My Sebenza pocket clip is perfect, it stays where I put it and is easy to slide onto the pocket without having to fight with it and have to pull the pocket clip a little to make it slide onto the pocket.
Tight, but not TOO tight. =]
 
I like a clip that's tight and not too flared at the tip.I've had to fix or replace several that got hung on something.:o
 
I like them tight enough that they won't shred up my pocket and I don't have to struggle to un-clip them, but I don't want them to be hanging loosely on my pocket.
 
I like mine tight. Tight to me is....if I pull up on the top of the knife, the fabric on the pants will move too.

Most of the clips on the knives I buy or trade are just right when I get them.
 
I'm proud to be the first person in this post to endorse loose, functional clip retention. Loose clips allow knives to be drawn quickly, naturally, and provide sufficient traction to keep the knife from falling out of the pants. Good examples: CRK Sebenza clip and BM deep riding clips.

I hate tight clips because they slow the natural deployment of a knife, tear up pants, and provide little functional use. I've never had a problem with loosing a knife due to a loose clip, even in adverse conditions. The tight pocket clip design feature is up there with excessive jimping in terms of quasi-functional knife designs that few purposes other than providing a placebo and therapeutic support for some users who are obsessed with "hard use" design features.

Worst clips: Cold Steel clips, Kershaw Skyline.
 
I want that mythical tension on the clip that makes it easy to slip the clip onto my jeans pocket, yet holds the knife firmly, with zero chance of it slipping off. :cool:
 
I typically tighten the clip on almost every knife I buy! Remove, wrap in masking tape so pliers/vise don't scratch it and strategically bend. I've lost a Lg Reg Sebenza & a Spyderco Delica due to thin board shorts + IWB. Now I carry 'em tight!
 
I like a tight clip. When pocket clips are blanked/stamped, a drag burr is formed on the under side. I usually remove the clip fom a new knife and check the inside edges for burrs. A small file or diamond hone will take the fight out of it.
 
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