Do clips ruin customs???

J

JTurner

Joined
Jun 21, 2001
Messages
429
I often cringe when I look at the clip side of a custom and it is clear that the knife either has a poorly placed clip or a clip that just looks out of place on the knife.

A few custom makers do a great job of integrating the clip into the overall look of the knife -- DDR, Sebenza/mnandi(I know not really a custom), Carson (plain but works with the knife), Crawford (even fileworks the clip), and I am sure there are more

But it seems to me some makers just slap the clip on the back -- drilled into the nice wood, CF, or other exotic material scales. Or the clip is not even in line with the flow of the knife and looks off center or at a cockeyed angle.

Do makers not really want to add clips, but the customers insist so they just say "Oh well here you go?" Is the clip just something that isn't really thought about? Makers--What's the deal? Buyers--Do you want a clip that bad to sacrifice the knife?

JT
 
It seems that for many makers the clip is really an afterthought.

I think Ken Onion, Rick Hinderer, Ray Rogers and Deryk Munore are examples of makers who have done a good job integrating the clip into their designs.

~Mitch
 
I only have two custom folders and neither has a clip, I'd much rather go with a Gary Graley sheath. Both my folders have stag scales and not only do I not want to cover the stag, but I also don't want any extra holes drilled in them. One has Devin Thomas raindrop pattern Damascus and I sure didn't want any extra holes drilled in that either.

I'm not anticlip, I like them on production knives and if I saw a knife where the clip was part of the design it wouldn't prevent me from buying it, but my preferance for knives is more tradional in looks and clips look out of place.
 
Even when a fine maker, like the ones listed here, puts a clip on a knife it is a compromise in esthetics and ergonomics. Take any of their pieces and see if it doesn’t look and handle better without the clip. I don’t find a clip to be a necessary evil on the knives I own, but it seems many do.
 
For a traditional or gentleman's knife I do not like clips. However, a well made clip like on my Tom Mayo TNT adds to its utility.

I don't like lanyards on pocket knives though!
 
The clip is an extension of the knife line, thus it must be custom made for each knife. When this is done properly it should be an asset to the blade. Like many things to do with knife craft, attention must be paid to every detail- or leave it out.
 
Sometimes I have found that the clip adds to the handling of the knife. Without it, a knife that has carbon fiber handles for instance might feel slippery in the hand and the clip provides an anchoring point. Done right (read tip up) the clip nestles into the palm and feels like it belongs there. I personally dont care for sheaths and I don't want my nice custom sitting down with my keys and lighter and pocket change getting scratched up.

Also, if the knife is custom, then it shouldn't have a generic pocket clip that's slapped onto the knife as an afterthought. I make all of mine from scratch.
 
Personally I think Elishewitz has the best design in his "Bug" clip. It looks great and is profiled so that you barely feel it when holding the knife.

I look at the clip design as well as function and how it looks on the knife before buying any piece.

Don't have much time for tacticals without them. Even though I make my own sheaths I prefer the tried and true pocket clip method.
 
I'm not a "Clip Fan" for a custom folder myself, but I agree that some of the makers mentioned above integrate the clip really well these days!

My preference with a custom, is to carry it in a custom made sheath designed for it (like Gary's).., but it's obvious far more custom guys are paying close attention to the overall look of the piece (including clip).


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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