How to prevent losing a pocket knife

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rmcook1314

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Sep 15, 2015
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Hey Gents,

I recently lost a benchmade that slipped out of my pocket while I was hunting. I have a Spyderco para 3 in the mail to replace it but I’m nervous about losing it in a similar manner. I am a wildland firefighter and spend a lot of my time working in thick brush. Twigs and branches are constantly snagging my clothes and trying to rip stuff out of my pockets.

I’m wondering if anybody has come up with a creative solution to this problem? Hopefully something better than tying paracord to my belt and to the knife. I was thinking about using some sort of magnetic lanyard like what’d you’d see on a fishing net. Or just using a small coiled lanyard that stretches when I need to use the knife and retracts when it’s in my pocket. Curious to see what you guys have come up.

Thanks
 
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Another vote for a retractable key chain. Make sure it is a very duty one. My ID badge at work doubles as access to doors and I use a retractable key chain to make sure I don't lose it.

Warning! Be careful of the ones with just a belt clip. Those can fall off easily. Some have a carabiner type closure, make sure you have something solid to hook them too. I use a retractable key chain with carabiner attached to a Maxpedition keyper keyring. The velco strap is solid around my belt. I think it is more secure then a belt hook or just hooking the carabiner to my belt loop.

1703k1_grande.jpg
 
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Don't use the clip - just shove it into your pocket. (Better yet, take the clip off and then put it in your pocket.) The only knives I've ever lost were clipped - it may make for (slightly) faster access, but the 2 seconds longer it takes to dig the knife out of your pocket are worth it, if it means that it's always there. It's not faster access if the knife is gone.
 
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Tyson A Wright said:
Don't use the clip - just shove it into your pocket. (Better yet, take the clip off and then put it in your pocket.) The only knives I've ever lost were clipped - it may make for (slightly) faster access, but the 2 seconds longer it takes to dig the knife out of your pocket are worth it, if it means that it's always there. It's not faster access if the knife is gone.
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I read through this whole thread just so I could give this answer when I got to the end. I have lost several knives that were clipped to my pocket. Never yet lost one out of a pocket. Sure, I have had a knife slip out of a pocket while lying on a bed or a couch, but that’s not lost. I know right where to look for it.
 
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Henry Beige said:
I read through this whole thread just so I could give this answer when I got to the end. I have lost several knives that were clipped to my pocket. Never yet lost one out of a pocket. Sure, I have had a knife slip out of a pocket while lying on a bed or a couch, but that’s not lost. I know right where to look for it.
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Ditto. I recently gave up on clipping, partly because I got myself a folder that I don't ever want to try replacing. I lost 2 Benchmades thanks most likely to seatbelts, which is a reason why I don't like being on the passenger side. Now I just drop it into the pocket, which actually indexes the knife to my hand better than pinch gripping it to remove from clipped position. It also doesn't telegraph that I'm going for the knife like it would if clipped.
 
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I personally like the following options:
1) bright and bold cover choices
2) lanyard, stringer or bright and bold fobs
3) duct tape it into your hand like Liam Neeson at the end of "The Gray"
 
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If you’re in the Apple ecosystem have a look at the Apple Air Tag. It could be affixed to the fobs shown above….and bingo….you have GPS on your knife. For $29.00 it’s a no brainer.

The Air Tags are water resistant and Apple offers their own custom fobs specifically for the Air Tag.
 
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All these retractable lanyard suggestions are reminding me of glasses chains.
“Hey, can I borrow your knife real quick?”
“Sure, here you go!” (pulls knife out on 2 foot chain and follows along)

I’ve lost a BK17 and Griptilian in the past year hiking and working that still keep me up at night. I don’t carry an ultralight edc for this reason. I will take a pocket shredder for a clip over losing another knife anyday.
 
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rmcook1314 said:
Those look nice. Might have to get a couple of them. Thanks
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If you get them and want to use them on a knife in or clipped to your pocket, add a short piece of paracord or something so it can fully retract without pulling on the knife. Although I admit to letting a Spyderco Pacific Salt just hang on one of these on a life vest.
 
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Look a K&J magnetics. I have survivor cord which is best paracord and I will give you 6 feet or so and a cool lanyard bead if you pick up shipping. I also have one of the K&J magnetics "tube" magnet I can give you. The problem with ordering powerful rare earth magnets is shipping is minimum $20 because they are considered dangerous items.
Had surgery today so may not be on for a few days but will make good on the offer if you PM me. Also consider a spot of strontium aluminate glow so you can go back and find it in the dark. Stuff glows like mad for a long time with only a quick sweep of a powerful light. Will give you some of that too.
 
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Like you mentioned a long paracord lanyard or maybe a sturdy belt sheath with a snap or buckle. Outdoor edge sells decent cheap belt sheaths with a belt clip and snap closure. I use them for spare mags. they come in at least two sizes.
 
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