Deep Carry vs. Non-Deep Carry. Compare and Contrast.

jstn said:
I suspect most that prefer deep carry either
►don't see their knife as a self defense tool or
►see discreet carry as more important than ease of access.
Click to expand...

Bingo. Both apply to me.
 
i don't feel like its any harder to extract a deep carry clip knife vs a standard clip. I naturally pull it out with my thumb grabbing the scale and my index finger grabbing the clip, works just as well with a deep carry clip vs a standard clip in my experience.

I am biased towards deep carry clips, I work in healthcare so discretion is ideal.
 
I am almost exact opposite the OP on the Deep Carry cause. If a knife is not able to be converted to deep carry, or is tip down only, I won't bother with it. I have a pretty physical job, and too much knife sticking out of my pocket is a no go for me. It catches on things and is generally uncomfortable. The deep carry is the better for me.
 
I don't like deep-carry clips, as they make access too slow. I don't mind that a small part of my folder shows above my pocket...I never see anyone looking at it...and wouldn't care if they did. I use my folder in restaurants quite often, without gawkers. I have NEVER lost a knife with a clip.
 
I don't mind enough knife sticking out for an easy grasp so I don't need deep carry clips. They make a knife harder to draw so I don't really like them but I have 2 knives with clips and I don't mind having them in my EDC rotation. One is the Benchmade 890 Torrent, the other is the ZT 0561. In the case of the Torrent, I feel that the deep carry clip and the contoured smooth G10 scales make the knife into sort of a gentleman's knife.
 
Sometimes I have to grasp a knife with a deep carry clip slightly differently, but in the end I don't have an issue. Also I usually put paracord on my knives if they are like that. For instance my ZT 0562 has a deep carry clip and with a little 1"-2" length of paracord weave on the end it helps you grab the knife and remove it from your pocket.

I think it is sort of a fad and should be optional. For me... It's like if I am going to a place where I can't have anyone see my knife or there will be some kind of bad consequence (work, police in Philly) then I'll put the whole knife in my pocket. Not taking any chances. Deep carry only comes in handy when you kinda-sorta don't want to advertise you have a knife but in the end you don't really care if some joe blow sees it. Cause like I said, if there's consequences of someone finding out about it then the whole damn knife should be pocketed, not clipped.

So basically I don't care, I don't prefer or avoid deep carry clips. I do agree they make knives a little harder to deploy like I said, but I typically find a way around that with paracord or draw/grip adjustments.
 
Honestly the only clipped knife I've ever lost was a deep carry. Deployed with several spydercos several times, bent some clips but never lost one. Six months after I got my PPT I lost it-too much leverage on that skinny little clip. Pretty sure it's hanging off a trashbag at the dump-i think the bag snagged it when I pulled the bag outta the truck. I prefer a nice wide, stiff clip attached to the side of the scale.
If i want to be discrete I carry in my waistband.
 
True, I don't see a pocket knife as a self-defense weapon that I need to be able to 'fast draw' as well as liking the more discreet carry aspect.

And it doesn't seem to me to be harder to extract from my pocket.

But also, I find that I snag less with a deep carry.

YMMV
 
It's a hassle if you are wearing gloves to try and dig out a deep carry knife. Between the ZT566 and PM2 it's like night and day when wearing work gloves.
 
I'm with the OP, don't care for deep carry. I never really thought about it till I got a knife with a deep carry clip. At least for me it's much harder to deploy the knife, and not something I'd want if I really needed to get to it fast. I always look at the clips when I'm buying now.
 
While it won't make/break my purchase I prefer normal carry clips. Though it can depend on the design, placement, and tip up/down certainly.

As others have said I find it easier to remove the knife and not have to adjust my grip to open it with a normal carry clip. With a deep carry clip it's harder to get out of the pocket and requires a reposition to get to the stud/flipper.

Also most deep carry clips I've had don't hold as securely. Because of the extra loop bends usually they won't hold as tight even if you bend them to increase the tension. This is probably offset by having more handle in the pocket so actual knife retention is a wash.

I see no real concealment advantage in places you are not supposed to carry, law enforcement and security that's "looking" for a knife is going to spot a knife clip easily with or without the handle visible and know instantly what it is. However, in some environments I can see where a deep pocket clip attracts less attention than having part of the knife visible as well, say a professional dress office environment where you're not trying to scare the sheeple. Reality is if you are really looking to conceal a knife, neither clip provides that function effectively in a pocket visible to others.
 
Harder to consistently wave draw with a deep carry. CS Rajah 2 is perfect.

[video=youtube;OWylqMcMpEE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWylqMcMpEE[/video]
 
Well said Todd. I usually prefer standard clips for the reasons you mentioned.

With deep carry clips, the screw heads are generally slightly raised above the frame and rest on the top seam of your pocket. I have on occasion pulled the knife out and have a thread be caught on the screw head. I'm sure it's not as abrasive as g10 but over time it could wear the material down.

I do believe I've found a knife that combines the best features of both. The Sacha Thiel Officer.

Deep carry clip with the screws recessed into the frame.
Has just over a 1/4 in showing out of the pocket. Hides it enough to be fairly discreet yet with enough handle sticking out to grab comfortably.
Perfect middle ground retention wise. Stronger than the deep carry clips I've used (Benchmade, Zt 561 & 770, the Spyderco Sage's wire clip, and a Kershaw Knockout) but not quite as strong as regular carry clips like Benchmades, Emersons, Spydercos and others.
 
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