Knife for dress pant carry?

[awmp]

I'm searching for a pocket clip knife to wear with dress pants.

Black clip needed (one that will not tear up my dress pants), handle needs to be smooth (again to prevent damage), needs to be light and sharp.

Ideas?

 

[PatrickKnight]

Spyderco Caly 3 in ZDP-189 with the carbon fiber scales or a Spyderco Sage 1 both fit that list perfectly.

 

[rnbtexas]

CRK Mnandi. In shirt pocket the clip looks like a pen. Love mine.

 

[CDKJudoka]

Benchmade mini-grip. You can get a deep carry black clip from them as well.

 

[tjswarbrick]

Spyderco Sage1 as well.

 

[balisongsuser]

Spyderco persistence folder is pretty good

 

[addylo]

Spyderco Sage 1. The carbon fiber handle is classy enough for dress and the deep carry wire clip is practically undetectable unless you look very close.

It's one of a rare few near-perfect EDC knives IMO.

 

[HuntBomb]

Sage 1 or 2 would be a good choice, but my vote goes to the Caly 3.5 CF/ZDP 189.
Much slimmer in pocket and thinner blade stock make the Caly a slicer like no other.
Practically hides in your pocket until you need it.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I agree with HuntBomb above. Also available in a 3" blade, as well as in a carbon "SuperBlue" bladesteel which some folks prefer. The carbon steel will take on a "patina" with time, which some folks prefer. It is not RED rust but rather various brown or gray hues which actually can make the blade very attractive. When used in the kitchen for slicing veggies, this protective patina will form rather rapidly. You can use vegetable oil if you wish to keep it "shiny."
You can buy the same knife in a VG-10 blade-steel for much less money; still a great steel. I carried a "base" Caly 3 in VG-10 for several yrs and loved it.
I am NOT knocking the SAGE series of knives...all with 3" blades. I have a SAGE 2 in titanium which is a wonderful knife. A Sage 1, mentioned above, with carbon fiber grips, will be lighter but still very office-friendly.

 

[LastRodeo]

In dress cloths, I carry either my Spyderco Chaparral in pants or Mnandi in shirt pocket.

 

[uofaengr]

Sage 1 and 2 are excellent formal carries.

If you want an even smaller, slimmer, and lighter weight package for about the same blade length as a Sage -- Benchmade 707. Very classy.

 

[evilgreg]

William Henry E10. It does have a silver clip, but it looks like a pen and crushes your other requirements (slices like a laser, super-thin, under 2oz weight):

 

[fan of fanboys]

I am in your same position. I dress up for works in dress pants (not khakis, real dress pants) and I went with small sebenza 21. I looked at the Mnandi, and it is probably better for this situation, but I wanted a knife I could also use outside of work and camping/hunting.

 

[K.O.D.]

I carry a benchmade 530 when I wear slacks. Light, black clip. Won't tear up your pants. Hardly notice its there.

 

[addylo]

If you want to take a step up on the class scale I'd also agree with the William Henry E10. My only hesitation in not mentioning it earlier was that it has a silver clip, but the clip is so thin that it doesn't scream "knife". It also carries deep enough that you see absolutely NO knife handle sticking out of your pocket. When clipped to the shirt pocket it is hard to distinguish from a pen.

 

[Cursum Perficio]

I have a Benchmade 707 Sequel that is ideal for what you describe. If you prefer a little longer blade, a 943 - one of my favourite EDC folders.

But them BM's are kinda expensive now. I don't have a Sage 1, but it's on my shortlist, I think it would be an excellent choice.

 

[Rubicon_Joey]

Largest factor at play here would be the budget....
My personal choice is a CRK small Sebenza. Perfect size, easy on the pocket and at the end of the day it's a sebenza!

 

[Cereal_killer]

Spyderco makes several good choices, any of the Caly series, the chaparral, the sage 1, 2, new CF 3 or 4.

Note only the Sage 1 has a black clip but it will fit any of the above listed knives and can be bought for <$9 shipped from the SFO.

 

[LastRodeo]

Spyderco makes several good choices, any of the Caly series, the chaparral, the sage 1, 2, new CF 3 or 4.

Note only the Sage 1 has a black clip but it will fit any of the above listed knives and can be bought for <$9 shipped from the SFO.

The clip on my Chaparral is stock black.

 

[Hawk45]

All above recommendations are good. I'll add a BM 707 to the mix as that's what I used to use.

Side note: Ever thought about foregoing the clip and just getting a light knife and dropping it in your pocket? I used to be a big fan of clips till I started carrying a tradtional knife. Now I've taken the clips off all of my smaller knives and only use them on full size folders like the Sebebza or BM940. My spyderco techno rides super nice in the bottom of my pocket with my money clip and keys (phone in opposite pocket). I don't wear dress pants anymore, but if it feels this good in jeans, it must feel even better in thinner material pants. Heck, you could even go with a clipless Spyderco Dragonfly for super small, super sharp, super light. Give it a try for a few weeks, you may be a convert with smaller knives.

Current carries:

GEC #74 Lockback

GEC #9 Pemberton

Spyderco Techno