Clips

[tiguy7]

This clip is secured from the underside. The tension is supplied by a coil spring, and the cross pin is the fulcrum. The hole in the end allows access to a frame screw.

 

[analoghog]

I've found in my knife journey that clips are a big deal for me. I've sold so many knives I've liked but hated the clip. All of them were too rigid/tight and hard to get the knife on and off the pocket edge on a pair of jeans. No flexibility at all. For example, I like Pena knives but hate their clips. It seems like they were made for thin suit pants and I wear jeans every day. I prefer the Chris Reeve type clips. My only exception is the CR Mnandi, but even that clip is barely tolerated because I love that knife so much. The Arno Bernard clips are a classier upgrade of the CR style for sure. Lastly, I've found that I'm not a pocket carry guy unless it is a 3" handle length knife or less. I don't like a pocket slip either as I usually have enough stuff in my pockets. I prefer a knife with a clip so I can carry on the pocket edge or a horizontal carry on my belt, which is preferred.

 

[Shorttime]

If we're talking strictly appearances, I like when the screws are exposed, and they feel like they're part of the design of the knife. Filip De Coene does this well, and WE pulled it off with the Black Void Opus.

Most of the time, I'm ambivalent on the appearance of the clip. I want it to hold the knife in place, even if I fall off a ladder. When I want to use it, the clip should pull easily, and be easy to put back when I'm done.

The screws should not be in a triangular configuration. My experience is that they walk themselves out. I have the feeling there may be something going on with leverage and vectors, which could be "mathed", if somebody wants to use more than three screws to hold a clip in place. But me doing math on the internet is a sure path to being wrong.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

This one, a Reate Wave model, has a nice clip as well as a neat way of holding the Titanium inlays by having the screws go from the inside.





G2

 

[Stringjam7]

More than the clip design itself, I always appreciate when knife-makers give you the option on clip placement (for example, I prefer tip-down, and there don't seem to be many companies who make that possible).

 

[snuffle]

But the clips are too tight to be usable on my shorts

That tends to be the problem I have with milled clips. For me, it is the seam on jean pockets. Unusably tight, sometimes enough to abrade the scale finish and wear the seam. They're pretty, but functionally I tend to want bent clips.

As far as placement, I'm a lefty and don't buy folders that aren't at least clip-reversible anymore, and avoid right-oriented liner- and frame locks, except sometimes when I'm weak. I also use CRK as a stake in the ground: when a knife gets up around that price point, it needs to be a dedicated left-handed model.

I do have a thing for single-action autos, and have never seen a left-handed side-charging SA. But then I don't carry those, either.

 

[tony281sc2]

I used to like deep carry clips only, so people wouldn’t know I had a knife. Back in 2016 or so… knives weren’t as common as they are now (I think).

As far as functionality, the Hinderer clip is one of my favorites. It looks great too, as good as it can be for being just a stamped steel clip.

The ZT 0804CF is an example of an exceptionally nice knife with a terrible clip. I bought one when they came out, sold it, bought another when they were discontinued, (hoping someone would make a clip for it), and ended up selling that one too. way too tight to be functional. (And it’s borderline “shallow” carry) Stoopid clip RUINS that thing, and you can’t change it.


Now here is the Best of both worlds… the Shiro Quantum. It has a beautiful 3D machined titanium clip AND it still works.
Funny thing is I don’t carrry this knife

 

[Boattale]

I like knife with a clip that I can clip in my pocket without mooning anybody behind me and draw from my pocket without giving myself a wedgie.

You just described this:

 

[Another Shepherd]

You just described this:

View attachment 2437080

I have several Spydercos with excellent clips. I particularly like the wire clips like the above, although I have no specific reason for liking them.

But the lip on my dragonfly clip was too low. I tried to bend it with locking pliers and a pry bar, but I ended up bending the prybar.

 

[Boattale]

I have several Spydercos with excellent clips. I particularly like the wire clips like the above, although I have no specific reason for liking them.

But the lip on my dragonfly clip was too low. I tried to bend it with locking pliers and a pry bar, but I ended up bending the prybar.

The reason I like the Spyderco wire clip is precisely what you described in the quoted post. Best easy use clip I've found so far,

 

[jeepin]

I wish more companies would add a second retention point to their clips like Microtech and Chris Reeve Knives does.

 

[Chefget]

Really dislike when the clip is moveable leaving holes in the knife

Hate those holes

 

[hkssr20det]

I really like the look and feel of milled clips, but I like a more deep carry generally. The clips on my Chaves knives are gorgeous but too I might need to create some more room under the front to ease egress out of my pocket. The only ones I actually hate the look and feel of are the wire clips. I just won't consider one at all anymore.

 

[DavidABQ]

It is true that many of the clips look like they were an afterthought. Some of the knives and clips in this thread are really impressive! That is coming from a guy who hates pocket clips and the first thing removed when I get a new knife.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

One tip I have for bending a clip so it has more retention is to remove the clip, turn it around so it's pointing out the end of the knife, screw it down and then 'gently' press the clip downwards, not too far, but enough so when you put it back on the right way it will have a little more retention than before. Using this method instead of using a couple of pliers lessens the risk of marring the surface of the clip. As always use caution when attempting, this might not work on all folders but a majority of them will.
G2

 

[Chronovore]

I like the idea of clips being screwed from the rear. I'm open to other alternatives if executed well.

Generally, I do like a deep-carry loop-over. Sure, they might seem boring or "cookie-cutter" but they tend to work for me. Milled titanium can be nicer and can avoid some of the potential hot spots with a "bill" but I also like a knife to ride as low as possible.

A big issue for me is when companies don't use flush-fitting screws under a loop-over. While some of the budget brands have gone mainstream with flush-fitting screws, I'm routinely baffled to see more expensive or higher-end knives not doing this.

One thing that has become a deal-breaker for me is clip recesses or fill plates on the "show side". Doing this almost universally hurts the aesthetics of a knife and occasionally has a negative ergonomic impact. While I get that "lefties need love", it wasn't long ago that reversible knives just had unobtrusive screw holes and the clip could be attached at the surface level. While there can be benefits from sinking the clip into the scale surface, I've had plenty of knives where a loop-over sits on top of a scale with zero issue (or far less issue than having big ol' screw heads sticking up under there.) Alternative clip-mounting techniques can also be an answer here.

Somehow, the attachments for wire clips don't seem to have the same negative impact to me. That said, a nicely done wire clip can be a very good thing.

 

[Docscoot]

I used to be 100% on board with the first post, milled clips with no hardware showing were my preference, and I would really go out of my way to find these. Now my favorite two clips are RHK and CRK, which fit none of these criteria. They just work very well and I've grown partial to them functionally. Go figure.

 

[KentuckyBlackBird]

This Kershaw clip is a favorite of mine. I like the ration of clip to handle. It just feels right on this knife.

 

[Officer's Match]

This is the best clip I have ever experienced on a knife, bar none. Perfect retention, very easy insertion, extremely flat to the pocket, invisible to the hand (gripping), and actually looks like it is part of the knife design. Absolutely spectacular design and execution. The way the actual "pinch point" holding it in pocket is a "folded rail" is demonstrably better than anything else I've ever encountered in the knife clip world.

For other considerations less about function, this one is my favorite however:

Honorable mention:

 

[JohnnyGalt]

This clip is secured from the underside. The tension is supplied by a coil spring, and the cross pin is the fulcrum. The hole in the end allows access to a frame screw.View attachment 2436744

Holy cow. How much does that thing weigh?