I can grab it just as easily.....

[LikeHike]

I don't get why many (most?) of the pocket clips on folders do not permit the knife to sit flush with or below the top edge of the pocket. I do not particularly want my knife visible and can grab one that does not stick out just about as easily.
If I slip my thumb down the back of my BM Pika I can slide it up with a little pressure. I can also push it up from the bottom from outside. It comes out just about as fast as my Spyderco Wayne Goddard that sits above my pocket edge.
From a lot of the discussions I have read I am not the only one that does not want to advertise I have a knife.

Am I missing something?
Are the manufacturers missing something?
Can you buy replacement clips for popular knives that bring them flush?

 

[stickbobby]

I always thought it rode above the pocket edge so it wouldnt be considered concealed, but that is just my guessing, there will be a whole lot of more knowledgeable and smarter people than me telling you the reason in no time at all.

 

[7k7k99]

that's why I like the Al Mar SERE series of folders, they allow deep pocket carry, the clip allows the knife to be flush with the top of the pocket. The mini-sere is my edc now, and I hardly know it is riding in the corner of my pocket, and my car keys clipped to my belt finish the concealment of the pocket clip. No one will ever know it's there

 

[Hondo.3]

We will.

 

[allenC]

Different strokes for different folks...

I prefer my knives to ride at least 1/2" above the pocket, because for me it's easier to access the knife.

Of course I don't care if folks know that I'm carrying a knive or not.
Lots of guys carry pocket-clip folders around here, so it's not unusual.
And if I don't want to "advertise", I can always clip the folder in my waistband where my shirt covers it.

 

[Guyon]

Check out the Spyderco UK Penknife. Super low ride.

 

[stevekt]

I prefer a bit of handle sticking out of the pocket because it is easier to grab. I'm not really worried about concealment, if I was I would unclip it and drop it into the bottom of my pocket.

 

[redhawk44p]

I like them low ride. I live in Sheeple country and don't like to rile the varmints up. Sal said he would bring up low ride clips for the D4 and E4 in Seki.

 

[Bladedog34]

My EDC SOG Flash II rides even with the top of my pocket and comes out fairly easy. I took the liberty of adding some shrink tubing to the outside exposed area of the clip to prevent it from scraping and shredding the leather interior of my car. However, an eagle-eyed security guard at the local indian casino spotted it and quietly asked me to take it out to my car. Rather impressive diligence on his part!

 

[talonturbo]

I like them to ride with something subsatntial to grab. But I don't carry front pocket (which would make it a little easier to grab, you can reach into the pocket a little and grab more knife). I carry IWB, 12:30ish, so first, I need more to grab, and second, people can't see the exposed part, it's under my shirt. I like the setup of a Para, perfect amount to grab (my index goes in the middle of the 3 clip screws).

 

[Lot's knife]

The Sog Flash II indeed rides low. But the clip is so tight, I can't agree that it comes out easily.

 

[Robbie Roberson]

The SOG Flash II is designed to use the handles "knurls" to pull the knife out with. (Notice knurls on the side of handles).

They are put there to use index finger and thumb on front and back of knife handle, not side of knife and clip.

IF you use your index finger on clip, and thumb on knife, this just makes the clip "squeeze" your pocket even more than it already is.

Don't squeeze the clip.............



Robbie Roberson

 

[jryan]

I would prefer a clip that allowed the knife to sit lower. I don't like to draw attention to the knife. I wont buy a knife if it will have a lot of handle sticking out of my pocket.

 

[puukkoman]

I can grab it just as easily.....

Perhaps some others cannot.
Perhaps some others need to make sure they can "grab it" as quickly as possible.
Perhaps some others need to make sure they can reliably and consistently "grab it."

I'll stop. But, your answer is: "Many, many reasons."

 

[TFin04]

For my basic EDC needs the Mini Pika works great with its low ride clip.

Some like it, some dont. Working at a bank and going to school with a knife I indeed like it...

 

[Death's Head]

I prefer that there is a bit of the knife handle poking out of my pocket. With a fob, it allows myself to draw the knife quicker out of my pocket. That is just me though. I am aware of the reasons people like low rider clips though. It would be nice if companies sold aftermarket clips in both styles.

 

[LikeHike]

I hope knife manufacturers are reading this - there seems to be a fair proportion of people that want clips that keep their knives low in the pocket.
Are you listening Sal??

 

[redhawk44p]

I take the Pika clips off and use them on my Griptilians.

 

[stevekt]

First off, I would guess that a low ride clip is a bit more complex (more expensive) to manufacture. Most low ride clips require the clip to have a "bend over" portion and often the access to clip screws needs to be redisigned.

Second, I do think drawing the knife is easier if a bit of the handle is sticking above the pocket, particularly for back pocket carry which is my favorite method for clipped knife carry.

Third, I think the level of concealment from a low ride vs. a standard is pretty insignificant. If someone is looking out for a knife they will spot regardless of whether it is low ride or standard as evidenced by the casino story above.

This really is a matter of personal preference and can be debated as passionately as thumbstud vs. thumbhole, tip up vs. tip down, Benchmade vs. Spyderco, or Wenger vs. Victorinox. As it stands most manufacturers are sticking with standard clips. If you really want low ride on a particular knife, look up forum member "STR". I am very impressed with the photos of his work that has appeared on this site. Or, take the plunge and mod the knife yourself. Your own skills may surprise you!

 

[LikeHike]

Third, I think the level of concealment from a low ride vs. a standard is pretty insignificant. If someone is looking out for a knife they will spot regardless of whether it is low ride or standard as evidenced by the casino story above.

Someone that knows what they are looking for and are alert will recognize it as a knife just by the clip on a low ride. The average non-knife person probably will not know it is a knife if they only see a clip (there are some that won't know it is a knife even if they see the top sticking up).
My goal is not to hide the knife as much as not to advertise it.