Has a pocket clip ever ruined a knife for you?

onojoe

onojoe

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
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I may have had a string of bad luck with pocket clips lately. I tried EDC'n 3 new knives lately and I cant stand them because of the pocket clip. I don't want to bash any companies so I wont name them.

First one was a well respected overseas manufacturer, the pocket clip was too thin and way too stiff, couldn't carry it.
Second one was a very popular knife here on BF. The pocket clip was OK but loosened after a few days. I know I can tighten it, but could not get past that.
Third was a knife that I have heard great things from. I picked one up. Pocket clip was way to tight and too short. I cant get it into my pocket without using 2 hands.

I know I can get aftermarket clips made, but for the price of these things, I don't think I should have to.

Anyone else not like a knife just because of the pocket clip?
 
I don't use pocket clips and I don't like any folder that the clip can't be removed from.
 
I've excluded knives from consideration because of the clip like it doesn't come close to a pocket carry without a significant portion of the knife being visible. And it's too bad because I liked the lines of the knife and the clip is an integral part of the designed look for those knives that I've come across.
 
Kershaw Junkyard Dog. Really bad clip design on a knife that really needs a good clip. 'Nuff said 'bout that.

And I really dislike the extremely popular wire clips Spyderco puts on some of their models. I remove the clips on the smaller knives so they can be carried loose in the pocket. For other, larger models that I like except for the egregious wire clips, I just begrudgingly tolerate them.

I also will no longer buy any knife that is tip-down carry only. It's just bassackwards to me.
 
Many CRKT clips are just plain fugly to my eye. Turns off any chance of me owning many of their knives even if the quality and value was there. I had a SOG Vulcan. It was great but the pocket clip was very long. Because of this I could feel it flex and move in my palm when I gripped the knife. Had to sell it.
 
Used to just be Spydie wire clips. Still total turn-offs for me on the new models coming out.

However, I've added to my blacklist any knife that doesn't allow tip-down carry. Which, sadly, is most new stuff coming out. I carry near-exclusively in my back pocket. And I not gonna carry a knife tip-up, spine out in that pocket. I don't want any piercings.
 
Al Mar Eagle ultra light. Love the knife, always had problems with the clip. Eventually just took it off, it's flat and light enough to ride nice in a pocket anyway
 
I never used to like pocket clips but have come around on that issue, it's a lot easier to deploy a knife when you don't have to reach into your pocket. That's also a reason that I'm carrying a fixed blade on my belt more lately.
As for the pocket clip I mostly carry a Spyderco Tenacious using the clip weak side tip up blade forward. Otherwise it's a Spyderco Persistence or Delica4 the same way.
 
If you don't like a pocket clip, you can remove it and use set screws in the holes to seal them, it is a handsome look imo, fwiw.

If you don't like the tension of a pocket clip, you can easily tune it to your liking, take it off the knife, bend it carefully in a vise, or some taped up face pliers.

If you are too lazy to do this, perhaps knife complaints are not your biggest issues.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
1st Gen Spyderco Delica, with that plastic clip. Almost lost that knife several times because the clip isn't the least bit grippy and it can't be adjusted. I really wanted to like that knife and got to the point where I could take it out, turn it around and open it with my left (non-dominant) hand. But it's no good to me if I don't have it when I need it because it fell out and I didn't notice until it was way too late, so I stopped carrying it.
 
Kershaw Junkyard Dog - Tip down and looks like a bat wing.
Cold Steel Tuff Lite - Tip down only on an otherwise incredible knife.
Cold Steel Voyager - not so much the clip but the aggressive texturing under it. Pocket destroyer.
Chavez Rendicion (I think I spelled that right. Too lazy to google it) - what am I, 13? Punisher skull clip? Yeesh.
 
I get a laugh out of the one on my Ti-Lite VI Zy-Ex, not complaining because it really isn't a pocket carry knife unless you are 7 feet tall with pockets to match LOL.
 
Pocket clips annoy the heck out of me. If not done right, I will not buy the knife.

I won't do tip down, EVER. Bad experience with blades opening in pocket and stabbing my leg. Besides, the ladies prefer tip-up.

Single screw clips--WTF are you people thinking. As soon as that clip gets touched, the screw starts to loosen and the clip won't stay in place. The exception is my Kizer Ki423. Single screw, but behind the screw are two pins that fit in the handle, so even if the screw gets loosey goosey, the clip won't move.

Right hand only. Yes, I generally carry righty (despite being a lefty, arthritis makes opening more difficult) but when I dislocated my thumb and sprained my wrist back in March, Only a few knives were carryable in my left pocket. Most were Spydies.

Super wide and/or super long clips. I don't like to advertise.

Along with the above, high carry clips. Can't stand having 1/3 of my knife sticking out of my pocket.

Weak clips. Its a PITA always having to remove and bend back a clip.

Rant over.
 
Brous Strife. Seriously one of the most beautiful knives I've ever owned. One of my only gripes was that it was too thick. I can tolerate a thick knife, though, if the pocket clip is right. The clip was so small on that knife that as soon as you clipped it, you couldn't get it out of your pocket. So sad, because I really wanted to keep it.
 
Pocket clips are the work of Satan. There are not words strong enough to convey my dislike and distain for pocket clips.
 
Already mentioned, but several of the Kershaw models have big goofy clips - hate 'em. What the heck are they thinking over there at KAI?
 
I think clip design is a very important consideration when choosing an edc blade, it has to work for YOU. I liked the clips on my bench made grip and 950....just enough of the knife sticking a out to grab but not enough to be super noticeable. I don't care for the super deep carry clips, I want enough sticking up to get a hold of without needing a lanyard, this was my one and only complaint with my ZT 560 & 562, while I loved the knives the clips were a little too deep for me. Had some cold steels that left way too much sticking out. Now I have an XM-18(s) and they are a good medium for me.
 
I used to remove all clips, and carry in a pouch. I've come around to liking the convenience of pocket carry, and rarely find a problem with most clips. I've even gotten used to tip-down, though I won't carry a liner-lock tip-down.

One knife I won't put the clip back on. Microtech LCC D/A Gen 2. It has a cut-out, and every time I try to carry it with the clip, it catches and bends out. Never could find a replacement solid clip, so sheath carry only.
 
The worst I have is on the Kershaw Spec Bump. Works fine but is huge and aesthetically displeasing.
 
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