Have I been doing it wrong?

E

EagleIH

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
179
I've read a lot of threads recently about people using pocket slips to carry their traditional pocket knives to protect them from keys, change, etc. I've carried a 503 for years loose in my pocket with keys, change, and whatever else I may have in there. Yes the knife does get a little beat up and scratched up, but it's never affected the function of the knife. What do y'all think? Do y'all carry your user traditionals in slips or just throw them in your pocket with keys, change, etc. and let them develop a little "character?"
 
I think it depends on the size of the knife. The bigger ones need a slip (or clip) to keep it under control. Nothing wrong with letting the knife be a 'user'. That is their real purpose, not every knife can/should be a safe queen.
 
Last edited:
Other than my 110, which I carry in the sheath on my belt, I just toss whatever slipjoint(s) I'm carrying into my pocket.
 
I carry my slipjoints loose in a pocket but not in the same pocket with keys and coins, so they don't really get scratched up. Not specifically to protect the knife, it just works out that way as to what I like to carry in which pocket.
 
I bought a 2007 Case peanut as a user, to be thrown in the front pocket with my house key and any change from the store. It had sat in someone's collection for a decade. The key immediately started to slightly dull the shiny silver bolsters, so I put my key in another pocket, lol! My knife was made as a user. It's red Delrin with matte finished blades. It's still hard to see it get those micro scratches! I posted about the knife in the traditional forum, and nobody responded that they had one. I think red Delrin peanuts, with silver Case shield are somewhat rare. I've only seen one other. So, I'm still debating whether or not I should let it get scratched.

Joe
 
I tried to use a slip to keep my knife from getting full of lint ( not really concerned with scratching my users ), but while I'm not concerned with speed the slip just slows things down way to much for my tastes.
I also have to much of a varying pocket size / shape between the pants and shorts I wear to use a pocket slip for keeping a larger folder positioned comfortably.

I may visit the concept again in the future, but at the moment they don't seem to work for my needs very well.
 
I carry a 110 on my belt, but I always throw a 501 or 302 in my pocket with everything else. I'm not really concerned about them getting dinged up. I've taken a couple of my Case knives and used 2000 grit sandpaper to give the bolsters a "satin" finish. It helped cover scratches a lot, but I don't carry them much anymore. It's something you can try though if you want to hide some blemishes...
 
I just do not like slips. Then again, I am not carrying a $1000 knife in my pocket, either. I just drop them down in my pocket with everything else. Today, I have a wonderful slip joint with K390 steel in my pocket (my new favorite steel). I just drop it down with my smartphone and coins into my pocket where I can easily retrieve it.
 
My knives get carried in pocket slips. I just don't like my knives to get beat up by my keys.
 
This raises an interesting point
About the edc pocket knives having
The right design features
To be "pocket friendly" so to speak.
I figure round bolsters or rounded off both ends are a must
As with the compactness or slimness of the folder.
The weight obviously comes into play too.
So I would be concerned about the integrity
Of the fabric/materials used for the pocket.
This would include the stitching as well.
So yeah, in some way a slip sheath
Would help reduce pocket wear
Besides protecting the folder
From moisture, lint and friction
With other nasty and damaging pocket live-ins.
 
I have never carried a slip joint. Do these "slip sheaths" have a clip on them or just a sock?
I love a deep carry clip. Haven't tried a lanyard yet. At work it's outside belt, weekends FR pocket. Don't like a clip with dress pants so this is a perfect reason for my first slip or 503 or...:)
 
Well, Eagle, I think you are making a popular fallacy. The most people think to
protect the knife against damages from key, lighter, set of keys, pocket watch,
fishhooks, bullets, coins or anything else what you carry in your pocket. But no, the
pouch protects these ojects against damages caused by the knife.
If you don't care about the objects in your pocket you may carry your
pocket knife without a pouch there further on. ;) :)

Haebbie
 
Last edited:
If I cared about a knife not collecting an assortment of dings and scratches, I surely would not put it together with a mishmosh or assortment of materials in my pocket.
 
I carry a Swiss Army knife and a 112 in the same pocket with keys and coins. Never thought of using a slip for them. They don't seem to have been damaged in any way.
I suppose if I ever got dressed up in fancy clothes I'd carry a 500 in a slip.........or maybe my elk Custom Shop Bowie.
:)
 
I carry my traditionals in a pocket by themselves with no other items. Not to protect the knife but to avoid things like keys and coins getting lodged in the blade channels.

I hate that! It happened to me once when I was a kid and I've carried this way ever since. It's also easier to grab the knife if there isn't anything else in there with it.
 
Buck Vantage in my right pocket with car keys. Coins and a Buck 55 in the left. Coins get inside a liner lock and cause all kinds of weirdness, jamming it, falling out of it onto the floor, etc.

I like the soft buff look that the coins produce on the 55.

Once or twice a key has gotten through the Vantage (alongside the blade) and jammed. I am thinking of switching the keys to the left pocket as well.
 
On many of my pants I have a small pocket sewn inside my right front pocket to store my knife in, clip or no clip. The knife is protected, but of more importance, it is easier to get to. Of course, if I am in blue jeans, I carry a small knife in my watch pocket.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top