Knife for a Filson vest

I have a Filson single Mac and my new Case Canoe slides right down in the slots of the left breast pocket fine. Same with my Filson Mackinaw vest. The Cruiser is thirty years old and the vest 20. But it should be the same.

It wouldn't come out unless you are replicating Nadia Comaneci moves.
 
I agree with Arathol in that I'm not sure I would carry a knife that I intended to use very much in a Filson vest pocket. Extraction is kind of difficult. The pockets are pretty good sized and most traditionals would fit, but you sort of have to push the knife out with one hand while grabbing the top with the other. Here's a photo of my vest with three GECs: a 42, an 85, and a 15 rope knife. Of the three, the 15 with bail is definitely the best option.

(Edit: all three knives fit entirely into the pockets. I took the picture with them half way out for scale.)

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You will love that wool vest; I've owned mine over 30 years now (this photo was taken 17 years ago). The Case 06247PEN slides right in one of the three slots - easy to push up from the front, but be careful not to lose it when you bend over. I carry mine in my pants pocket. You could have a button sewn in to close the top of one of the slot pockets. OH

M71_Piddlers_Creek_12-27-2000.jpg


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Huelsdonk and Old Hunter - Many thanks for the pictures. Those are quite helpful. It seems that putting a knife in the pocket carries an inherent risk... But the style factor is so intriguing!

I really look forward to wearing this vest for years.
 
The double Mac has the same pockets, I believe. A large Rough Rider stockman slides in very nicely and fills the pocket enough that you don't have to squeeze the bottom very much before you can grip the knife with thumb and forefinger.

An Opinel No.10 Slim rides with just the lock ring sticking out.

A Mercator K55K fills it up with just the bail protruding. If you are carrying it for style, pay extra for the brass one.
 
I wear a fleece vest. I am going to have to look at these Filsons!
 
Old Hunter That's what a CASE Penknife should look like, wonderful knife! We have no ther choice than Yellow D these days, pity!:(

Those vests (waistcoats/gillets :D ) look very practical, perhaps they have lower pockets to keep a knife in too? I wear a quilted waistcoat that has just 2 deep pockets, very secure for small to medium knives they don't fall out when you bend down or climb things (do I climb these days?:eek::D ).

Thanks, Will
 
See next post. If a mod thought my post inappropriate or I broke some rule, then who am I to say....

Withdrawn, then, but Happy New Year to y'all anyway.
 
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ChazzyP - Your post was moved by a moderator because this subforum exists for the discussion of traditional knives. It is a kind and gentle place, but there are still rules here :thumbup:
 
I don't have too many suggestions for a knife but if you are dead set on carrying one in the vest, get one with a way to attach a small lanyard so you can retrieve it easily when needed. The first thought of mine is a 47 framed viper with a small lanyard... The viper is one of my all time farovite GECs.
not my pic, just found with a google search...
viper.jpg
If the 47 viper doesn't float your boat there are many other GEC offerings with lanyard holes and either droppoints or spearpoints...
BTW, Filson wool vests are great, but that goes without saying, Filson makes great products. I have a set of their duffels and other bags, my wife and I use nothing else when we travel. Our children will get them when we are done with them. I also carry a Filson original briefcase with me everyday... I couldn't imagine carrying anything else. Filson gear just gets better with age... just like traditional knives.:):thumbup:

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PS - I have no idea why this stupid picture keeps posting upside down... I've tried everything lol.:grumpy:
 
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I have coveralls at work with a small pocket like that on the breast I've lost 2 sak knives bending over various places. I know this is the traditional forum but I'd get something with a clip.
 
savage99 said:
I have coveralls at work with a small pocket like that on the breast I've lost 2 sak knives bending over various places. I know this is the traditional forum but I'd get something with a clip.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I've worn a fishing vest for ages, with similar open pockets. Many things have been lost. Buy a knife with a bail, and attach it to the vest with a buttonhole chain or lanyard.

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Congrats on a nice vest. Filson makes a solid product. I've had one of their shorter wool jackets for decades. They don't even make that model in wool anymore (my son has the same jacket in Tincloth). I've worn it about a gillzion miles horseback cowboying and horse training. Warm, durable and comfortable it becomes an old friend. But I gave up on those pockets. Like folks mentioned ya either can't get stuff out or its too loose and you're losing it. I simply havn't stuck anything in those slot pockets for years. However a nice traditional would certainly be ideal and suitable for carry when wearing such a vest. I'd stick it in my pants pocket though.
 
Just a thought here, if you were still set on vest slot carry, and worried about retention, you could sew a little velcro dot to the inside of the slot. There's even adhesive backed velcro, but I don't know if I'd trust the adhesive to stick on wool.

~jim
 
I used the slots for pens, which ARE allowed to have clips and still be traditional 😉. But those pockets were designed for shotgun choke tubes, so we can't blame the vest for knives falling out. I agree with the watch chain suggestions. Or just carry in trouser pockets and be done with it. As for which knife, I say a brass or copper Mercator. There's a smaller, non locking copper model now, and it might be easier to carry in vest pocket.

Me, I'm ordering the copper full size Mercator today. Got a couple vests it'll suit nicely.

Zieg
 
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