EDC for dress pants

I burned a lot of brain cells over the question of a "wedding and funeral knife".

I wear jeans and boots most of the time, so I think of it that way.

I finally decided to carry a multitool with a blade on it, instead of a dedicated knife. That way, I have my EDC kit with me, and people don't see me carrying a "knife".
 
Benchmade 940-1. It's like a knife in a tuxedo, only that tuxedo is wrapped around a S90v blade!
 
Price aside, I think the Spyderco Chaparral is one of the classiest "dress" knives I've seen.
 
I would probably go with a Case G10 traditional knife.

I haven't held one but I think the Spyderco UK Penknife may work pretty well (it's not G10 though).
 
You just can't go wrong with a Spyderco Delica ~~ I am not dressed if I don't have one of my Delica's {more than likely
ZDP189's clipped in my right hand pocket }.!***
 
I've found the retention on the Leek to be pretty strong. Is it possible the clip on yours is bent out of shape? If so, you might be able to bend it back to increase the retention. As others have suggested, the Skyline would also work well for formal-wear carry. It too is very slim and unobtrusive.

If you can find an OD-1 (discontinued), that is also worth a look. It has a G10 front scale and steel framelock back scale. The steel scale may be a bit nicer to your dress pants than G10 (although, if you're not wearing them regularly, perhaps it doesn't matter). The OD-1 is very similar in length to the Leek and close in thickness to the Skyline.

Some side by side pics...

Skyline_OD1_Leek_open_800x417.jpg


Skyline_OD1_Leek_closed_800x383.jpg


Comparing the thickness of the three...

Skyline & Leek
Skyline_Leek_thickness_800x391.jpg


Skyline & OD1
Skyline_OD1_thickness_800x355.jpg


OD1 & Leek
OD1_Leek_thickness_800x350.jpg
 
I think the Spyderco Delica and Lone Wolf Mini Landslides are good ideas. I've had a couple of Delica's over the years and liked them, and handled the Lone Wolf and was impressed.

Or, just get a new clip for your Leek.

I carried a Spyderco Sage 1 for five years or so in my dress slacks, until I finally caught the wire clip and wrecked the tension on it. Need to get around to ordering another one. Now I'm carrying a Benchmade 943. Both great suit knives, but over your budget. Though it pays to look around the sales forum; if you could stash some more money, you might be able to pick up a nearly new used one. The Sage will be less expensive than the Benchmade.
 
Sage 1. You can get one for under $100. A tad over your budget, but might be worth the investment.
 
My dress knife is the Spyderco Domino and the Chaparral depending on the size I feel like carrying. Domino may be out of the budget range you're talking but the Chaparral can be picked up for less than $100.
 
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Kershaw Zing. The US made one. There are still a few of them out and about.

A Victorinox Cadet would be good if you can live with something made outside the US.
 
I wear a ZT0566 in my dress slacks, the black deep-carry clip is pretty inconspicuous. Going by the fantastic clip on that, the Kershaw Cryo might be close to what you're looking for, in your budget too. It's not G10, but it's got a small deep-carry black clip on it that's not attention-grabbing.
 
I have 2 Leeks. If I were buying today, I would look for a Spyderco Caly3 G10 which can be found for under $100. The handle is exactly the same dimensions as a Leek and the knife is safer and a better blade design.
 
ATwistedStaple said:
I'd really like to see your tuxedo... One of those gypsy weddings I assume? :D
Click to expand...
Being from a small southern town, I can count the number of tuxedos I've worn on one hand. I actually prefer a tuxedo t-shirt, because it's classy, but says "I'm here to party".
 
I wear "dress pants" for my job everyday. For some reason traditionals will not stay put in dress pants. Trust me on this. And a pocket clip with a tux or suit? NO! So, my solution is an Opinel. I carry a #6 and have been for a couple of years now. NEVER has it fallen out of my pocket.
 
Using a pocket clip I can carry knives in the class of the Para2 very easily in dress pants. A medium weight folder is not a problem. I normally wear dark dress pants so my biggest challenge is picking a knife that doesn't have a clip or scales that are too obvious when wearing dress pants. For me a black clip is best but a simple clip like the silver Spyderco clip is acceptable. I just can't carry a knife with light scales such as the grey scales of the Cruwear Manix 2.
 
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