Clips!

[Daniel Moore]

Ok, I'll admit it; I like clips. I like knowing right where my knife is, and I like it staying clean/unscratched. BUT, I don't like knives being designed AROUND clips. Is it me, or does it seem like on knives like the BM Grip and Spydie Delica (two that I have that I've noticed this with) the clip needs to be there so you can index and open it properly? Just recently my Griptilian's clip got bent off at a 45 degree angle from the knife when I stood up off of a lawn chair. I was camping, and when I got home I took it off with my torx, frustrated and never wanting to use a clip again. But then I realized that my hands slip all around the zytel and my axis flick opens and shuts would be a little...risky, so I put on a replacement and I guess it will have to stay there. Are makers now assuming that their users keep the clips on?

 

[underaged!]

You admit that you like clips? That's like admitting you like food.

I think manufacturers expect people to leave their clips on, for modern folders, otherwise they'd come with the clip off (which could be a good policy anyway). Their advantages far out weight their few disavantages. Who wants to carry a Grip or Delica at the bottom of their pocket anyway.

 

[Planterz]

BUT, I don't like knives being designed AROUND clips.

Hm. I don't like clips that are like they were added on as an afterthought.

Sometimes the clip does help with opening (some of my autos will fly out of my hand if the clip isn't there to brace against).

I like a knife where the knife and clip were designed together. Benchmade is pretty good with this. It's nice where a clip was designed for a model to be used with that model, instead of just using the same clip every other knife they make uses (although I can see economical reasons for doing just that).

 

[Danzz]

You admit that you like clips? That's like admitting you like food.

I like clips on folders. As well as an edge on the knife that will cut things, and a point that will make little holes in things, and a grip that you can HOLD while using the knife. I also like food.

 

[haertig]

Personally I don't like clips. I've just always dropped a knife into the bottom of my pocket and that's what feels normal to me. I tried clipping them to the top of my pocket before, but didn't care for it. I have removed the clips from a couple of my folders and prefer the result. I may be losing something in grip characteristics but to be honest, with the lightweight cutting I do it hasn't made any difference that I can notice. What really turns me off are those clips that are molded into the grip of a knife or the handle of a pocket flashlight. I just have a feeling that these will break off sometime in the future. This is all personal preference of course, mostly asthetics for me. I imagine I am in a very small minority - those that don't like clips. I am also far down the ladder from anyone who could be called a knife expert. A newbie who happens to read this forum would be a much better description!

 

[Easyrider]

Clips are Evil! Pocket Clips = evil





If you like them than I'm happy for you and good luck with them.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Unless I want to look like Batman with a utility belt chock full of knives, the clip helps me to be able to carry more knives, although with my recent sales to get camera gear, I'm down a bit, but right now I clip a LoneWolf T2 Ranger in the front right pocket, a David Boye Cobalt clipped in my back left pocket, a Swiss Army tool on my right side belt, my cell phone on my left side belt, a SAK Soldier lies in my right front pocket and a SAK Executive is nestled along side a AA Arc light in my left front pocket, TrailMaster and Criswell Sword ride in the car, only so much room when you go to work or Church you know!
G2

 

[Easyrider]

Unless I want to look like Batman with a utility belt chock full of knives, the clip helps me to be able to carry more knives, although with my recent sales to get camera gear, I'm down a bit, but right now I clip a LoneWolf T2 Ranger in the front right pocket, a David Boye Cobalt clipped in my back left pocket, a Swiss Army tool on my right side belt, my cell phone on my left side belt, a SAK Soldier lies in my right front pocket and a SAK Executive is nestled along side a AA Arc light in my left front pocket, TrailMaster and Criswell Sword ride in the car, only so much room when you go to work or Church you know!
G2

You use clips?


I thought you were the "go to guy" for exceptional belt sheaths? I've seen the one you did for Ouch (Pete) and it is great!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

You use clips?
I thought you were the "go to guy" for exceptional belt sheaths? I've seen the one you did for Ouch (Pete) and it is great!

Thanks, well yes I favour sheaths and do prefer knives without clips for the most part but in order to carry more knives, clips have worked ok, but there are drawbacks to clips, one that springs to mind is when you walk around a nice car, you lean against it and scratch!!! not cool a sheath can help some in that the leather protects both car and knife to some extent.

Haven't heard from Pete lately! but then I've been out of the picture a while with work, eating up all my time, traveling to europe, boy does that suck, they are death on knives over there! limited what I took in my bags, since you can't lock your bag up either!
G2

 

[StuntDouble]

I prefer knives to have pocket clips, if only for the simple reason that they usually keep the knife in one position all the time. I almost always have an SAK Spartan in my pocket, and I find that I'm constantly having to readjust it, because it will move around in my pocket while I'm walking. I've also had a couple incidents where a knife has fallen out of my pocket while I'm sitting in a chair, or laying down. Of course, I've caught pocket clips on doors and furniture, and had the knife pulled out as well.


NR,

One method I've found for opening smaller folders like the Delica is to have the back of the knife against the palm of your hand, with your fingertips pressing against the handle, holding it into your hand. Then just open the knife using your thumb. I wish I could show you, because it's a lot easier than trying to explain it. I just tried it with and without the clip, and it seems to work well.

 

[STR]

Not all knives are that way. I have a couple that seem to be the same as you describe also. One that comes to mind first is that Ka-Bar Dozier designed Thorn. It is a lot more difficult to open with the clip off. Seems you need the clip there to properly space your hand away from the blade or your hand interferes with the blade opening. Haven't tried testing that same thing on the Delica or my other Spydercos though.

 

[Zeppelin]

Personally, I'm not too fond of food. It's expensive and too much of it gives me heartburn. I think it's time for a hunger strike.

I love clips. Some knives look good with them some don't. I think my old standby Delica II without the clip would look terribly naked. The clip on it doesn't seem like an afterthought to me. Though on a Military, the clip seems rather flimsy and like it was thrown on at the last minute. No offence, I love Spyderco stuff, I'd just like to see a sturdier, more well executed clip on the Military.

 

[XGrip]

I cant see why you are having trouble opening and closing your griptilian clipless. Mine felt fine when i went clipless. Plus the griptilian is so grippy and fat there shouldnt be a problem but to each his/her own

 

[StuntDouble]

one that springs to mind is when you walk around a nice car, you lean against it and scratch!!! not cool

Gary, it's funny you should mention that. Whenever I'm checking out a friend's car, I tend to cover the pocket clips with my hands. Sometimes I've even unclipped the knife, and put it all the way in my pocket, for fear of causing a scratch.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Gary, it's funny you should mention that. Whenever I'm checking out a friend's car, I tend to cover the pocket clips with my hands. Sometimes I've even unclipped the knife, and put it all the way in my pocket, for fear of causing a scratch.

That's being curteous! Good for you, I do the same on the knives that are clipped as well.

But it's also furniture that takes a beating when you go to sit down or stand up, the clip can, when it has sharp edges, scrap the finish off of the wood on a chair, or even inside your car, clips can be a nuisance!
G2