Going clipless?

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
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I like carrying my Delica 4, but I just don't like it or any knife sticking out of my pocket. I'm thinking about removing the clip to make the knife lighter and slimmer for pocket carry.

Has anyone else done this?
 
Carried my Native w/o a clip in my back pocket for a while, you wouldn't even know it was there :D

Very thin and light
 
Was it harder to open due to the lack of something (the clip) to catch your fingers on?
 
Molded clip on my old Delica snapped off many years ago. Filed off the existing nub and have been carrying it in the pocket ever since. Got used to opening it without the clip to hang onto very quickly. At least you will still have the luxury of putting your clip back on.
 
Carry all my Spydercos that way. Those I've had customized don't even have provision for mounting one anymore. Only time it might make opening more difficult would be with a metal handle, and there's always a way around that. :D

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Paul
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My Personal Website - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting
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Erik Nice said:
At least you will still have the luxury of putting your clip back on.
Click to expand...

This is true, however, there will be somewhat of a financial commitment since I will have to buy a Torx screwdriver. T-6 correct?
 
Erik Nice said:
Molded clip on my old Delica snapped off many years ago. Filed off the existing nub and have been carrying it in the pocket ever since. Got used to opening it without the clip to hang onto very quickly. At least you will still have the luxury of putting your clip back on.
Click to expand...

I picked up both a Delica and an Endura with the plastic clips broke off and already ground down. They are both notched to indicate they're factory seconds. Cost me about $10 each at a gunshow in Denver several years ago. They are really handy to slip in a cargo pocket or whatever. I use the "Spyder Drop" so opening is no problem.
 
I almost always prefer to carry without a clip. Doing so kind of requires dedicating a pocket, though, otherwise you fish around too much, the knife gets scratched on change or keys, etc. Also, it's more prone to gathering lint. I like the idea of a clip, but don't like the grip interference, showing the knife in my pocket or the way it can be too prominent on what might otherwise be a cool looking knife. I also find a clipless Native in my back pocket almost unnoticeable. I'm sure a Delica 4 would be the same.
 
My salt 1 clip got bent really bad raft guiding this season, so i've been going clipless on my PFD.
 
At first when I got into Spyderco knives back in 1995 I didn't initially like the pocket clips either. But once I got used to it and once I kind of realized what MR. Glesser had in mind I am to the point now where I really don't want a folder than doesn't have a clip. But we are all different than our likes and dislikes.

At this time I am EDC carrying a Spyderco C-44 big Dyad and it is such a bulky knife that I couldn't carry it without either a pocket clip or sheath. I do think that is one area that Spyderco does have room for improvement is the designs of their pocketclips. I tend to really like the wire clips pretty well myself.
 
if it is a work knife or waved knife it has a clip, otherwise clipless. i like the look better, but thats just my opinion.
 
I go clipless with all my Spydercos, including my Military. With a knife the size and lightness of a Delica or Native it really shouldn't be uncomfortable at all. Knives don't start to bother me in the pocket until you move into the Endura size range, but I'd still rather carry them clipless and enjoy superior ergonomics than use a clip.
 
TAH said:
This is true, however, there will be somewhat of a financial commitment since I will have to buy a Torx screwdriver. T-6 correct?
Click to expand...

Thus is revealed the one necessary flaw of the Fourth Generation clip over the Third.

One or Two nickels were all that was needed to remove a Third Generation clip...of course they were only bi-directional instead of quad-directional.

Every man needs a well stocked tool box. Get two Husky torx driver sets for about $13 total at your nearest Home Depot or equivalent.

If you are into knives enough to post on knife forums, you will enjoy those purchases more and more as time passes on. ;)
 
Thanks for the replies. By removing the Spyderco clip, I was worried that I might be committing a cardinal sin. :D
 
For small knives (like Dragonfly size) I greatly prefer to remove the clip and carry them loose in pocket. I have not experimented much with clipless carry on larger knives like the Delica, but I plan to remove the clip on a mini-Persian to carry it loose and see how that goes.

I must say I feel weird removing the clip on a spyderco, but there are some advantages to loose carry. Generally I do prefer clips on knives 3" blade and up though.

For those who carry larger knives clipless, where do you carry them? Front pockets or rear?
 
Quick question. If I decide to live life on the edge and remove the clip (:D) , am I going to have any trouble putting the clip back on if I want to? I thought I read that some Delica 4 owners were having problems with the screw hole threads stripping. That's been one of my hesitations.
 
I have several Delica 4s that I have removed and replaced the clip on - I'm left-handed so I do a lot of clip moving.

Never had any problems. Just go slow and if you replace the clip, don't make it too tight.
 
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