Going clipless?

I have lost every clipless knife I've ever owned. For this reason, I will not buy clipless knives anymore.
 
J85909266 said:
I have lost every clipless knife I've ever owned. For this reason, I will not buy clipless knives anymore.
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How? I've never lost a clipped or clipless knife myself, but I've heard reports of both kinds coming out of pockets.

nphelps4130 said:
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?
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I think Delica size and smaller clipless works best. I'm a bit die-hard on going clipless so I do it to my larger ones, but I don't see most people carrying a Milli, Manix or Endura clipless like I do.

Depends on the knife for me with where I place it. Thicker ones seem to rid ebetter in the back pocket next to the wallet, thinner ones just fall down horizontal if you do that. I usually put it in the front pocket. Today I have my Griptilian in the right front pocket and it sat at a comfortable angle in between horizontal and vertical. G10 Byrds, Endura, Milli etc I carry in the right front as well. How they orientate themselves depends on the pants. In tighter pants the Milli will stay vertical without a clip, doesn't have room to fall horizontal. In loose ones it'll be horizontal. Weight starts to become a issue when you carry clipless, because heavier knives get uncomfortable a lot more easily. That's one of the reasons my go to folder went from a G10 Byrd to a Millie. Opinels, Buck 112's and 110's and thicker SAKs all ride well vertical next to my wallet in my experience. I've been thinking about a new wallet with a pouch that'd fit a Wharcom nicely and also help support my knife carrying preference better (i.e. be a little thicker and wide to restrict the folder more).
 
I carry my SS Native in the back without a clip. I got used to opening it without the clip and due to how thin it is it rides in my back pocket without knowing its even there.
 
Vivi said:
How? I've never lost a clipped or clipless knife myself, but I've heard reports of both kinds coming out of pockets.

.
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I never know how it happened. I just one day realize that I don't have the knife anymore. It's happened first with an amber bone Case Tiny Toothpick, then a stainless Spyderco Kiwi, and just last week, my Victorinox Alox Solo disappeared. :( I'm too dumb for clipless knives.
 
I seldom use the clip on the two knives I carry that have one. My old model Spyderco Endura lives in the back pocket of my jeans, between my bandana and my butt. In that location the clip is no problem at all, but I do think it gives me a little more to hang onto when I open it one-handed. I much to prefer to keep my knives in a pocket usually, instead of flashing them around for all to see like it many young'uns want to do. I will say that I took some pleasure in spotting a knife discretely clipped into the front pocket of the pants worn by the doctor taking care of me in the ER several days ago, though. It made me think that any doctor who carries a reasonable blade is somewhat aware of the real world where such a knife might be needed sometime. When I inquired, he told me it was some model of Benchmade, but I failed to remember which one under the circumstances. I just prefer a low profile approach to life and I keep most of my knives out of sight normally.
 
J85909266 said:
I have lost every clipless knife I've ever owned. For this reason, I will not buy clipless knives anymore.
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That's been my experience also. The clip on my Native got bent today and when I tried to straighten it out, it snapped. I considered carrying it without the clip but your post just brought home the dangers of going clipless. It's just not smart for me to carry without a clip at work. I like to carry a slipjoint once in awhile when out and about but at work it's a clipit.
 
With larger knives I like to use the clip. My EDC is a Benchmade 710, and it's a big knife... not overly bulky, but too big to be loose in the pocket if you want to use the pocket for anything else.

Smaller knives I like clipless. Of course, I'm a traditional knife guy at heart. I carry my SS Cricket without the clip and it does just fine. I've also carried a Victorinox Soldier in my left pocket every day for four years without losing it.

What I really can't stand are these "low rider" pocket clips. Regardless of the size of the knife, I'll carry it clipless before I use one that clips it so low in the pocket it's hard to get ahold of.
 
nphelps4130 said:
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?
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The larger ones almost always go in my left rear pocket. When buying pants, I always check to make sure they have a watch pocket, as that's where my Kiwi (or occasionally the Kopa that STR customized for me) rides. Never lost a knife out of either pocket, and have been carrying one that way for over fifty years. Can't say I've ever had a problem with lint either, but my EDCs all get used for food prep, so the get hosed out pretty often.

Like most things in life, every carry method has its "downsides". For me, the danger of damaging furniture, automobiles and other expensive property when the clip scrapes against or catches on things is a major downside to clipped carry. Add to that the dangers to the knife itself, bent clips, dinged or cracked scales, and potential loss. Plus, there's the questionable legality of such carry in areas where "open display" is prohibited, it's not worth the risk for me since "instant access" is not something I require. Must admit though, if I still lived in the country and owned horses, I'd certainly carry a clipped folder when working around them.
 
Well, I did it! Bought a small Torx set and removed my D4 clip. Now I really like this knife. Slim, more comfortable, less screws, lighter weight, and still easy to open. :D
 
For me the Delica and smaller knives are better without a clip. I can't say how much I like my SS Etched Dragonfly without a clip.
 
Anyone just carry them in a sheath? I have the small and large BM sheaths that I can carry my Grips and Mini-Grips in on my belt. This allows me to remove the clips, plus they don't pick up pocket lint and don't fall out of the pocket.
 
TAH said:
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?
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Yes, call it heresy, but I carry my D4 this way in my rear pocket at times coz i've gotta be low key at work.... and I actually like the "delicious" texture of the Volcano grip in my hand "sans clip"...... :eek:;)
 
Gotta be a clip for me. Can't have them any other way.

I actually dont like the feeling of stuff just loose at the bottom of my pocket. I usually wont even put my carkeys in my pocket, I'll just hold them instead.
 
BOK said:
Gotta be a clip for me. Can't have them any other way.

I actually dont like the feeling of stuff just loose at the bottom of my pocket. I usually wont even put my carkeys in my pocket, I'll just hold them instead.
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I'm with you there. Even my non-clip knives like SAKs get a small plastic fastener put on the lanyard ring so they can hang inside the pocket rather than sitting at the bottom. I can't stand the feel of a knife just knocking around loose in my pockets.
 
I was planning on taking the clips off all my knives soon. I was going to do it just after I drained the power steering fluid in my car and blocked all the central air vents in my house. I hate things that make life easy.

Seriously, if the Good Sal had intended for us to carry his knives without clips, don't you think he would have designed them that way?
 
kgriggs8 said:
Seriously, if the Good Sal had intended for us to carry his knives without clips, don't you think he would have designed them that way?
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He did! Most Spydercos are designed to allow for clip removal. :)
 
I bought a wee screwdriver and had the clip off my Michael Walker right away. Especially with a frame lock type that clip is really annoying to hold.
 
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